More than 60% of Zambia’s population lives in rural areas and derive their livelihood from the natural resources in their local areas. A countrywide increase in human populations has resulted in an increased demand for land and subsequently direct conflict between animals and humans.

Experience has demonstrated that bushmeat poaching often starts in the villages with the local people.

In the Luangwa Valley, there has been a steady increase in population in proportion to the increase in tourism and potential job opportunities. This has resulted in large development taking place within the Game Management Area surrounding the park, including shops, bars, salons etc. However, a five-year land use planning project is trying to manage further development in the area and is encouraging people to move people further away from the park.

Due to this increase in human population and development there is an increase in demand for meat and therefore an increase in the snaring and shooting of wild animals for meat.

Aside from the demand for meat for local communities there is also a demand for meat in the nearby towns of Mpika, Chipata, Katete, Petauke and Serenje and this demand is being met.

Commercial poaching of elephants and other large mammals has also increased in recent years in the Luangwa Valley due to an ongoing demand of ivory from the Far East.

During the 1970’s and 1980’s Zambia lost more than three quarters of its elephant population (nearly 180,000) and all of its rhino population due to poaching.

Aerial surveys demonstrate that within the Luangwa ecosystem the elephant population has remained more or less stable since the mid 1990’s, estimated at approximately 10,000. Although breeding is apparent (young elephants are seen regularly), there does not seem to be any changes in the trend of elephant figures.

Although the current level of ivory offtake from natural mortalities and control work is low, and therefore sustainable, the fact that the overall population is not increasing (and may even be decreasing) suggests that there is an important illegal offtake.

Singapore Ivory seizure of over six tonnes

In 2002, 6.5 tonnes of ivory was seized in Singapore, the largest single seizure since the international ivory trade ban was agreed in 1989. Through DNA analysis, it has been established that this ivory is indeed from Zambia.

The former Ratz, now SLCS were instrumental in this seizure. In conjunction with ZAWA, they arrested one of the most notorious poachers in Luangwa Valley, which eventually led to the discovery of a well-organized ivory syndicate operating in Chipata, Malawi, China and Japan. Unfortunately no one has been prosecuted or sentenced to date and the caase is apparently still ongoing.

The network had been operating since the mid 1990’s undetected, and had successfully shipped huge quantities of ivory to China and Japan.

This particular network has since been smashed but recent arrests and ivory recoveries suggest that other similar syndicates are still operating.