The illegal bushmeat trade: An organised crime
On 8 September 2022 Paul Daka, a revenue collector in the Ministry of Health in Mambwe District was arrested by officers from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife with almost 100 kg of bushmeat. Further investigations were carried out which led to the apprehension of two other men. John Banda a farmer and Jones Mmanga, an accountant in the office of the Permanent Secretary, based in Chipata.
On 24 December 2023, Paul Daka, John Banda, and Jones Mmanga were convicted and sentenced to six years. Jones Mmanga has since filed in a notice of appeal in the High Court.
The case above has resulted in the disruption of a significant organized illegal bushmeat syndicate in the region. Some people mistakenly think of bushmeat as a small-scale issue, with meat going into the pot of local communities to feed their families. This case proves otherwise with local farmers being exploited by corrupt government officials who use their positions of power to traffic illegal meat to their wealthy consumers. The illegal bushmeat trade involves many different levels of criminals to enable and transport the illicit contraband around the country.
Carrying bushmeat can attract a prison sentence of several years and eating bushmeat which may have been hunted and transported in an unhygienic manner can result in many diseases. Local communities are not making the most money from this dangerous activity. They are risking their lives just to put exotic meat on the plate of greedy officials. Connected middlemen make the biggest profit, for pedaling this dirty product onto the end consumer. Many of these traders have been reported to be selling fake meat and animals such as hyenas, dogs and snakes are often sold to unsuspecting consumers as buffalo or impala.
The illegal bushmeat trade in Zambia, is a serious problem that threatens the survival of many wild animal species and undermines the country’s biodiversity. The trade is also detrimental to the livelihoods of local communities who depend on wildlife for tourism and other economic benefits.[1]
One of the main impacts of the illegal bushmeat trade is the loss of biodiversity. When certain species are overhunted, their populations can decline to the point of extinction. This can lead to a cascade of effects throughout the ecosystem, as other species that depend on them for food or as predators may also decline. Additionally, the loss of keystone species, such as elephants and ungulates, can lead to changes in the structure and function of the entire ecosystems.
The illegal bushmeat trade can have serious and far-reaching impacts on ecosystems, by altering the populations of key species, disrupting food webs, and diminishing biodiversity. It is important to take steps to combat the illegal bushmeat trade to protect the ecological integrity of our planet as well as protect our families from the diseases perpetuated by this unregulated meat.
Another approach has been to raise awareness about the negative impacts of the bushmeat trade through the This Is Not A Game campaign. The This Is Not A Game (TINAG) campaign is the first ever Zambian behavioural change campaign aimed at sensitising the public about the dangers of illegal bushmeat from the DNPW in partnership with Wildlife Crime Prevention (WCP). Initiatives such as the transformed poachers programme by the Community Markets for Conservation (COMACO). The programme supports reformed poachers by educating them on the importance of wildlife conservation and alternative livelihoods[2]. DNPW and the Judiciary of Zambia have demonstrated their commitment through the case above, alongside others to protect our environment, our economy and our families from the dangers and diseases of the illegal bushmeat trade. This case shows that no one is above the law and corrupt officials will be brought to book.
[1] https://www.zambiatourism.com/this-is-not-a-game-the-illegal-bushmeat-trade/