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Benson Kanyembo

Conservation South Luangwa

Born in Kitwe, the son of a policeman, has devoted over 20 years of his life to protecting Zambia’s wildlife for future generations. In 1994 Benson started his career in wildlife enforcement as a scout for the North Luangwa Conservation Project. In 1997, when The National Parks and Wildlife Service took over the programme, he became a village scout. In 2000, after the formation of ZAWA he became a community scout. Whilst with ZAWA he rose to the rank of Senior Wildlife Police Officer and was in charge of the training of all scouts. In fact, from 2005, Benson was also training CSL scouts. He then transferred to South Luangwa in 2008 under ZAWA.

In 2009, Benson joined Conservation South Luangwa (CSL) as their Operations Manager. During their restructuring in 2018 he was promoted to Law Enforcement Advisor. He leads all CSL anti-poaching law enforcement and wildlife rescue operations in collaboration with DNPW. He has facilitated the growth and development of the anti-poaching unit from 30 to 65 scouts.

In 2019 Benson’s commitment to conservation in Africa was recognised on the global stage when he was awarded the TUSK Wildlife Ranger Award in London by Tusk’s Royal Patron HRH The Duke of Cambridge.