We would like to take this opportunity to offer a warm welcome to all new members, managers, guides and residents to the valley along with the veterans, may it be an enjoyable and successful season for all. This year we hope to keep you informed with news from the field starting with this update on what has been happening with Conservation Lower Zambezi over the last 2 months.

Many thanks to CLZ volunteers Trevor Long, Lew Games, Alan Watson, Chieftainess Chiyaba Betty Carbin and Riccardo Garbaccio, for their time taken to meet on a number of occasions with Mr. Bhadat, Zambia’s Deputy Minister of Roads. The organisation required in obtaining permission for the use of a grader, low loader and to locate an operator certainly did not happen on a Friday afternoon at the Lusaka Club. CLZ as from 26^th April have use of the grader for 6 weeks to hopefully smooth out a few of the bumps in the road from Chirundu to Jeki. Time and funds permitting the grader will continue farther on from the eastern end of Jeki plains along an old but more direct route that has recently been reopened by a CLZ road crew to meet with the salt pans on Mukumba Road. This will hopefully allow easier access and a quicker response time for patrols into this area and benefit operators who wish to use this route. CLZ would not only like to thank all private and corporate members who have been so prompt in donating fuel or funds to the cause but also to local residents and road uses who have so kindly donated. These individuals and companies include Mr. & Mrs. Lublinkof, Mr. Colin Street, G.M. International, Sobek, Gwabi Lodge and last but not least Masstock who have donated 1800 litres of fuel and use of their workshop facilities free of charge. Special thanks to Betty Carbin for fuel fundraising and Riccardo Garbaccio who has ended up with a full time job refueling and maintaining the grader between Chirundu and Kayila Lodge. Riccardo has also very generously provided a staff member to accompany and assist the operator free of charge. The reason CLZ asked for donations to be in the form of fuel or funds is because we not only have to provide fuel for the grader and maintain it but are also obliged to pay ZMK 70,000 per day bush allowance to the operator. After a very slow start due to continual tyre problems grading was temporarily suspended in Chiawa due to the sighting of a possible landmine. Fortunately later in the day after the relevant authorities had investigated the issue the landmine was identified as a pot and work was resumed. The grader is now progressing at a rate of approximately 5 - 10 km per day and should reach the old Mushika scout camp via the salt pans on Mukumba Road by the end of May.

Credit goes to ZAWA’s patrol teams who despite going into their third month without salaries have been active with a very successful couple of months on patrol.

Patrol Team Lion I led by SWPO Godfrey Banda from Jordon successfully captured a poacher with AK47 and recovered meat during a contact on 20^th April in the Nyamungwe area of the GMA after gunshots had been reported by a number of operators in that area.

Patrol Team Rhino I from Luangwa Boma, while out on patrol on 30^th April discovered a poacher's camp containing the carcasses of 3 buffalo and 1 impala they recovered 1 axe, 2 knives and 1 pair of ivory. Rhino I chased the poachers from the area and arrested members of the poachers group in Rufunsa with assistance from the Luangwa Police unit.

Patrol Team Lion II led by SWPO Musilo Banda after receiving information late on Sunday afternoon 6^th May apprehended 4 fishermen in the Nyamangwe and confiscated nets and fish.

Patrol Team Lion II led by SWPO Musilo Banda doing an early morning patrol on 8^th May intercepted 5 poachers. Although the poachers escaped Lion II recovered a 12 gauge shotgun and shotgun shell, 4 bags meat including impala carcasses and a civet, 1 axe, 1 knife and 2 flashlights.

Well done guys, your dedication to the preservation of the wildlife and its environment is much appreciated. Special credit to SWPO Musilo Banda who realises the importance of rapid response always endeavoring to organise and deploy day patrols as soon as possible on short notice and to Luangwa Boma Ranger Solomon for his continued effort to increase patrols in the western area of Lower Zambezi National Park.

"Bluebird" piloted by Trevor Long, John Murphy and Ian Stevenson has been actively involved flying a number or aerial patrols between Leopards Hill Road and Mushika

Thanks to all operators and individuals who have gone out of their way to assist ZAWA and CLZ particularly Kiambi Safaris, Riccardo Garbaccio, Mwambashi River Lodge, Mike Starke and Alan Watson. Please continue to report any gunshots or suspicious circumstances to your nearest ZAWA post or CLZ as soon as possible.

CLZ has funded the setting up of Community Resource Boards for Chiawa District and elections should take place over the next couple of weeks. Once CRB’s are firmly established all stakeholders in the valley will have an organising body to deal with if there are any issues concerning the community that may arise.

Is anyone missing it ??? We are and do hope to get it up and running before the eclipse. Two small steps forward were taken (because they couldn't take big ones) on the 23^rd May 2001 when Ian & Lea climbed Chilipera to check what condition any remaining equipment was in. Fortunately what was left is still in working order. The very same day with assistance from ZAWA, who transported the magistrate and all witnesses to Siavonga, saw the court case finalised with the culprits jailed. Hopefully all solar panels and radios are to be released in the next week when they will go to Lusaka for a week of bench testing before their relocation to their rightful place on top of Chilipera. Any volunteers for the next ascent?

Once the repeater is up and running CLZ would like to initiate a valley net. The recommended time is 1200 hrs every Saturday unless anyone might suggest a more suitable time. The net would be initiated and hosted by CLZ. It will enable CLZ to give all valley members a weekly update on activities followed by an opportunity for each stakeholder to broadcast any messages they have for the valley. It however is not a time for discussion therefore we ask that any discussions may be with held until the end of the net. We will advise the first Saturday of Broadcast and try to give everyone an outline of how it will work at the Operators meeting to be held at CLZ Camp on 7^th June 2001.

CLZ DONATION BOXES & LEAFLETS

Please advise Conservation Camp if for any reason your donation boxes are out of order, in need of repair or even perhaps missing after the long break and we will make sure we alleviate the problem. We will be issuing 20 leaflets to each camp responsible for a donation box... Due to the cost of printing may we ask that one or two camp copies remain out with the box for all to read and that you only offer free copies to those who have a genuine interest and/or may wish to make a donation. Always let CLZ know when you are running low of leaflets. CLZ has high hopes of the donation boxes making a difference this year and ask everyone to put as much effort in as possible.

Apologies to Sausage Tree camp as the cheque they received for USD$500.00 donated by Paula Wilson for elephant immobilisation was found at Conservation Camp during a clean up in April. To avoid a similar situation may we ask that all future donations collected in your boxes be given to Tine Astrupgaard, Ian Stevenson or Leanne Edwards personally where they will be receipted.

Ian Stevenson & Leanne Edwards volunteered to full the position as base camp managers starting in the beginning of April 2001. Together with Lovemore Katebe in between supporting ZAWA patrol teams, opening roads and keeping the grader on track they have been busy cleaning out the cobwebs accumulated during the last wet season, servicing vehicles and equipment and restocking camp. Now there are three people taking the place of one in the past CLZ have hopes to accomplish a little more in the 2001 season.

The Green Landcruiser donated by Humba Bush Foundation has just returned from Lusaka. While there, thanks to the generosity of United Panel Beaters and Musa Daya of Bundu Auto Repairs & Services, the cruiser received extensive mechanical repairs, bodywork and a full respray and is looking like new again.

One of CLZ’s green banana boats has been returned to Kafue for rebuilding and we hope to have it back in the water soon.

As Ian has completed a paramedics course CLZ have upgraded their First Aid and Medical Equipment in hope that they are able to respond to most medical emergencies where they are called upon to assist either ZAWA or CLZ Members.

© Afrikeye 1999 - 2007 (certain items under permission of original copyright owner)

home  privacy about legal contact