Latest news from Kasanka National Park
Updates from the Kasanka Trust’s latest newsletter include Ranger’s Day with interviews from two of the Park’s scouts: Kennedy Kaheha who is the longest serving scout in the park; and, Namunji Monde who followed in her father’s career footsteps and is now one of four female scouts working at Kasanka.
The Trust also reports that:
- There have been no recorded incidents of elephant poaching in the park since October 2017, meaning that their elephant population is steadily increasing
- The puku population is now bouncing back. Heavy poaching between 2014 and 2017 dramatically reduced puku numbers, but in the last two years an annual growth rate of around 20% has now firmly increased their numbers within the park
- During the first half of the year, 19 poachers were apprehended, two firearms were recovered and two were surrendered, 553 snares have been recovered along with 101 illegal fishing nets and 20 canoes confiscated.
Poaching within the park is an ongoing problem and The Trust is addressing this biodiversity threat through dedicated anti-poaching patrols, environmental education which is especially important for the younger generation and through livelihood enhancement programmes.
Due to their dedicated work, mammal populations are significantly recovering – 114 mammal species can now be found, including the ‘Kasanka Big Boys’ – elephant, hippo, buffalo and sable. The park is one of best places to find the shy sitatunga and of course puku! It is also home to two rare primate species – the blue monkey and Kinda baboon.
Kasanka’s main attraction is their amazing Straw-coloured fruit bat migration, when over 10 million of these fascinating fruit bats descend on a few hectares of Mushitu Swamp Forest from mid-October to late December every year. The bats arrive with the first rains and, as with any rich gathering of a prey species, their arrival attracts a myriad of predators and scavengers such as leopard, martial eagles, fish eagles, lesser spotted and African hawk-eagles, kites, vultures and hobby falcons.
In addition to these raptors, 479 bird species have been recorded in Kasanka’s diverse habitats, making it a superb bird watching destination. Rare species seen include Bohm’s bee-eater, wattled crane, Pel’s fishing owl, African crowned eagle, Ross’s turaco, Narina trogon, African broadbill, African blue quail, African pitta, Fuelleborn’s longclaw and the African finfoot.
For monthly updates on what is happening at the park then why not subscribe to their newsletter at Kasanka Trust Subscriptions
Tourism for Conservation
During this pandemic Kasanka is offering residents the opportunity to visit the park at hugely discounted rates from August to mid-October, and during the Bat Season.
The Trust’s motto is Tourism for Conservation. All tourism revenue goes back into their conservation and community outreach programmes. As with many other conservation programmes around the world, the current pandemic means that their revenue has been reduced through the lack of visiting international guests, effecting their conservation programmes. So why not show your support by visiting the park?
You can find more information on Kasanka National Park and the Trust on their website – www.kasanka.com and their latest news on their Facebook Page