CLZ October News
Helicopter Operations & Elephant Collaring
Conservation Lower Zambezi (CLZ), along with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), have been fortunate to receive support for helicopter operations in and around Lower Zambezi National Park since 2019. This program has proven to be a very effective and beneficial tool in assisting their Wildlife Protection Programme.
During October, CLZ under took a successful helicopter operation, which included the collaring of six local elephants. The main aim of the collaring is to gain an insight into their movements in the local area by collecting and analysing useful data. This data will then help to keep track of elephant movements to both ensure increased protection against poachers and to assist the local community in human-wildlife conflicts.
CLZ thanked the Frankfurt Zoological Society for supporting the helicopter program through INL funding and the Elephant Crisis Fund for funding of the elephant collaring.
Wildlife Ranger Challenge
CLZ was one of the many conservation NGOs that took part in the Tusk UK’s Wildlife Ranger Challenge 2020. Their objective was to raise funds for conservation organisations across Africa. Their scout team joined in the gruelling challenge by running 21kms, carrying backpacks weighing a hefty 22kgs.
The team proved their strength and were proud to announce that they finished 9th, out of the 41 Africa wide teams who took part. This was a huge accomplishment, especially during the hot October temperature. CLZ also thanked Tusk UK for assisting with much needed funds.
Workshops in Rufunsa
This year CLZ conducted their first ever Anti–Snare Campaign and Living with Elephants Community workshops in the Rufunsa GMA. An incredible 115 community members participated, including the Chief in Mphuka. The purpose of their workshops are to increase conservation awareness – and included showing the negative effects that wire snares have on their local wildlife. They also taught different ways on how people can live harmoniously with their wildlife – particularly elephants. CLZ thanked the International Elephant Foundation for their support in holding these workshops.
You can read more news from CLZ in their online October Newsletter and on their Facebook Page