A Young Conservationist’s Journey
On the way to Kafue National Park is the rural town of Mumbwa. In this sleepy town right outside Zambia’s biggest protected area, the sight of wildlife is a common thing. It is easy to grow fond of animals and nature in such an environment. The daily sounds of birds chirping or a brief encounter with a duiker are the kinds of memories that are cemented in one’s mind as they grow older.
In Mumbwa my passion for nature was forged, as was my interest in conservation clubs. In them I learned about ecosystems and the different roles plants and animals play. Songs about the value of wildlife and school field trips strengthened my understanding. I saw the value of the animals I had seen my entire life. It was also here that I learned that Zambia has an abundance of natural resources and is rich in biodiversity.
Unfortunately, this biodiversity is under threat. Poaching, deforestation and the illegal wildlife trade are just a few of the activities pushing our precious wildlife to the brink of extinction. The illegal wildlife trade continues to be one of the greatest threats to conservation efforts in Zambia today. This is something I was taught in school. Something that would weigh heavy on my heart.
Building on my passion for wildlife and my growing concern about the illegal wildlife trade, I decided to pursue a career in wildlife conservation. I enrolled to study wildlife management at the Copperbelt University. While studying there I was fortunate enough to participate in many environmental and social initiatives. This includes spreading awareness on climate change, tree planting, and teaching smart agricultural practices in different communities.
With nature right on my doorstep and conservation activities all around me, the conservation sector always made sense to me. However, not everyone is as fortunate as I am. Most young Zambians are advised to choose “safe” careers. “Why not become a doctor, lawyer or engineer? You will definitely get a job”, we often hear. Thankfully things are changing. Initiatives such as the conservation careers fair are changing mindsets and getting young Zambians into careers, they would have never thought possible. I can certainly testify as I am one of them.
I vividly remember how I got my current job. One day I was scrolling on social media and an event I had never heard of before popped up. The Zambian Conservation Careers Fair was going to be held soon. As a recent graduate brimming with excitement, I knew I had to attend. The event was hosted by Wildlife Crime Prevention (WCP), an organisation I had never heard of before.
The event changed my life. Despite having a degree in wildlife management, I was not aware of many of the possible career paths available to someone like me. Infact I didn’t even know some of the organisations exhibiting at the fair existed. The fair was a platform to network with various conservation organisations. Graduates like myself could gain a better understanding of the works carried out by different conservation organisations in Zambia. But the best part was gaining information about internship and job opportunities. At the fair I met the team from WCP. As luck would have it, they would become my colleagues in the not so distant future.
There is a notion in Zambia that only students who studied conservation related courses can work in this sector. Fortunately, the conservation careers fair is showing graduates from every sector that you can have any qualification and still work in conservation. There are veterinary doctors who work for the Zambian Carnivore Program, pilots and data analysts from WCP, and of course every organisation needs at least one accountant.
At this year’s fair the Mr Andrew Chomba the director of the Department of National Parks had some powerful words for the graduates in attendance;
“Environmental conservation work is borderless. Wild animals don’t need passports. Elephants and lions don’t pass through immigration when they swim across the Mighty Zambezi River between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Similarly, a career in conservation can take the next generation of Zambia’s young professionals throughout the region and outside of the African continent to act as ambassadors for our wildlife across the globe.”
I would like humans to understand that conservation is borderless for them too. There are no limits to what one can achieve and I am a testament to this fact. A small boy from Mumbwa, who is now a data analyst in Mfuwe.
I now take part in wildlife conservation awareness campaigns. We use sports, and radio programs to raise awareness against the illegal wildlife trade. Often, I am fortunate enough to offer career guidance to youths that wish to pursue a career in wildlife conservation or any environmental program. For the young people my story is relatable because like them. I too grew up in a rural town with few career opportunities.
It is always a pleasure to play the role of mentor and friend. To help young people see what is possible outside of the world they know. It is however a pleasure to know that many organisations in Mfuwe, where I now live, and across Zambia see the light in these young people’s eyes. With newer pressures like climate change knocking at our door. Now more than ever we need young Zambians to step up to the plate.