Anti Poaching, Lower Zambezi, Zambia
2022 - Anti Poaching, Lower Zambezi, Zambia - donation of USD 15,000
In 2022, this support helped CLZ to conduct aerial patrols, develop key infrastructure, and support staff salaries for DNPW and CLZ’s Operations Centre staff.
Aerial Patrols
In 2022, CLZ’s plane which further supports teams on the ground and detects illegal activities in the Lower Zambezi flew a total of 179.1 hours and was responsible for detecting 29% of the drying racks and 23% of the poacher’s camps. Continued support from SwissAfrican Foundation supported a total of 21.13 hours of aerial patrols which have been critical in detecting illegal activity in the park and surrounding GMAs.
Infrastructure Development
Funds from SwissAfrican Foundation alongside match funds and a portion CLZ’s unallocated funds from donations also supported the construction of a storage facility for DNPW and Community Scout rations and equipment. In the past, CLZ has stored rations and supplies in recycled shipping containers. These containers have now been renovated and made into a more secure building to prevent animals such as rodents and termites from entering the area. This will help streamline monitoring and dispersal of stocks and equipment to ensure accountability and prevent waste.
Operations Centre Salaries
Support from SwissAfrican Foundation has helped to cover a portion of CLZ’s operational cost for staff salaries. The Operations Centre is the focal point of all law enforcement in region including, communications, data analysis, and intelligence. Through this support, salaries were supported for key personnel including CLZ’s Operations Manager, Data Management Officer, and Data Management Assistant who use intelligence generated through collaboration with DNPW and data records from CLZ’s 24-hour Operations Centre to target and coordinate patrols.
More success stories related to this project
Our partner
Conservation Lower Zambezi
Patrols in the Lower Zambezi conducted by Conservation Lower Zambezi (CLZ) and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) are focused in the Lower Zambezi National Park (4,092km2) and the Chiawa Game Management Area (2,344km2), with an increased presence in the Rufunsa Game Management Area (3,179km2).
Community Scouts (employed by CLZ) and Wildlife Police Officers (employed by DNPW) patrol the Park targeting hotspot areas prone to wildlife crime. Deployments are identified based on intelligence generated through collaboration with DNPW Intelligence Units and through extensive data records from CLZ’s 24/hour Control Centre. Patrols in the GMAs are also conducted to support the communities and safeguard their crops from wildlife, thus allowing their livelihoods and the wildlife to thrive.
CLZ have a technologically advanced monitoring and evaluation system (that is continually improving) which allows real-time tracking of all teams in the field. All deployments are equipped with navigational, solar and data recording equipment in order to streamline data collection and track successes in the field over the years.
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