Minister of Tourism and Arts Sylvia Masebo has disclosed that an animal survey is underway to determine the current numbers of wildlife prevalent in Zambia.
Ms. Masebo said the Ministry of Finance has already released money for the exercise to the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) to conduct a headcount which will help the ministry of Tourism make informed decisions.
She was speaking during the ‘Government forum’ programme on the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) radio today.
She said preliminary results from the animal survey indicate that in Chongwe and Rufunsa areas, wildlife wass depleted and that people in Mumbwa have encroached on the Kafue National Park.
Ms. Masebo noted that poaching was detrimental to tourism and has since advised the local people to desist from being used to poach elephants, rhinos and the big cats which the government has a duty to protect.
She said ZAWA was working together with the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) and the defence force to protect wildlife that has come under increasing danger from poachers.
In a related development, Ms. Masebo said her ministry will launch a domestic tourism package before the end of 2013 to promote local tourism.
She said her ministry will partner the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services to market locally special packages for people to appreciate wildlife and other tourism sites.
She said the successful hosting of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWATO) conference in Livingstone two months ago has opened up enormous tourism opportunities which need to be nurtured and marketed effectively through the Zambia National Tourism Board (ZNTB).
ZANIS
Don’t forget to count the lions that are praying for you..Far out!!!!
Wildlife includes snakes like Cobras?
If you can not count cattle, how do you count wildlife? A worst of money?
Italian presidential material, you are simply a disaster
@Gen
In Zambia cattle census has been indicating that the cattle population is 2,900,000 since 1975.
Surely these animals are kept by humans, yet, it has been difficult to establish the numbers. What more counting KUDUs PUKU, Lenckwes, Kalulu, snakes.
It wont happen correctly. These Chaps will just cook figures.
Women of Substance.
Musali wa mwa lififi!
if a census is being undertaken now it is a complete waste of time and money. with the rains arriaved and trees now in full leaf it is impossible to conduct accurate aerial surveys, whcih is the only way to count large animals throughout the country. Lets hope sense prevails and the survey is delayed till next dry season ratehr than being rushed and providing false numbers.
They are looking for Lhinos!!!
you will just waste our money,do something else, wrong target
In Liuwa the census was done in April. From 2003 to 2013 Wildebeest population has trebled from 15 000 to 45 700, Zebra has doubled from 4000 to 8000 . So have other species like Red Lechwe, and Tssetssebe. Other species like Roan Antelope, Cheetah, and Wild dog etc have all returned to the park after it was secured and aided by the end of civil war in 2002 in neighbouring Angola. Species like Eland and Buffalo have been reintroduced and they are thriving and multiplying. ZAWA should ask Africa Parks how to manage the national parks!