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Operations Report 2002CLZ support to ZAWAPatrol Team Support2002 was a decidedly difficult year in the field for the Lower Zambezi, this was mainly due to ZAWA’s financial situation causing delays in the payment of salaries for Wildlife Police Officers of sometimes up to 4 months. As a result and understandably so some officers were occasionally unavailable or unable to go out on patrol. However CLZ still managed to increase their support to ZAWA and anti-poaching activities in the National Park and surrounding GMA's. As in the past, assistance was provided through provision of rations, fuel, maintenance, air support, first aid kits, transportation, field kit, communications, training and human resources for ZAWA and their Wildlife Police Officers.
In 2002 CLZ introduced a mealie meal incentive system. If Officers completed between 10 and 14 consecutive days on patrol they each received a 12.5 kg bag of mealie meal or if they completed 15 or more days a 25 kg bag. This had a two-fold effect as it assisted the officers when salaries were delayed and it promoted longer, more cost effective field patrols. In addition to long patrols CLZ also supported ZAWA with day patrols, river patrols, field investigations and clean-up operations. Wherever possible CLZ assisted ZAWA with rapid responses to all gunshot reports and were very pleased with the motivation and dedication shown by the Wildlife Police Officers who were always willing to respond, even if in the middle of the night. When again in 2002, ZAWA employees nationwide were on strike or go-slow, the Lower Zambezi Area Management Unit continued to operate as normal. Lower Zambezi National Park continued to be one of the few wildlife areas in Zambia that had continuous protection during 2002. CLZ would like to sincerely thank all Officers and Personnel under the Lower Zambezi Area Management Unit for their dedication. CLZ are pleased with the number of patrols and man-days ZAWA has achieved in 2002 and even more so with the successes the patrol teams have had. Man-days in the field mean nothing if not coupled with efficient and successful patrols. The figures noted on the following page are a good indicator of the increasingly effective patrols and operations the Lower Zambezi Area Management Unit carried out with CLZ support. The above mentioned assistance helped lead to the following law enforcement statistics, confiscations and recoveries.
Of the seven elephants known to be poached within LZNP, ZAWA Officers located the poachers and recovered the ivory and meat from 3 of the killings. Aerial support and patrols by CLZ’s planeThe plane carried out routine aerial anti-poaching and animal monitoring patrols, aerial support to patrol teams and air dropped rations and medical supplies to patrol teams. On several occasions the plane air-lifted sick officers out of the field. CLZ’s plane continues to play a vital role in the protection and monitoring of the Lower Zambezi Valley and during 2002 the plane flew 101 hrs. These hours are lower then expected due to the chief pilot on occasions being out of the area and to the plane being down for repair work. Darting and Snare RemovalWith the increased protection and more rapid response to gunshots in the area, many poachers have resorted to the silent and lethal use of wire snares. Snaring is also closely related to the degree of hunger in the area caused by failed crops due to lack of rainfall. Unfortunately, in 2002 we noted an increase in the use of wire snares. With permission from ZAWA and accompanied by a Wildlfe Police Officer, CLZ has assisted by darting and removing wire snares from any animals that are reported.
CommunicationsCommunications are vital for the effective protection of wildlife and habitat. Currently there are 16 VHF base set radios and 21 VHF handset radios based in vehicles, sector offices and on the Chilapila Mountain repeater to be used for anti-poaching patrols and operations. CLZ continue to cover the cost of maintaining the extensive VHF radio and repeater communications network within Lower Zambezi Area Management Unit. Thanks to SAVE Australia during 2002 CLZ were able to purchase and install more efficient communication systems at three of the ZAWA’s main posts within the Lower Zambezi Area. (Maliliansolo, Chinyunyu and Luangwa Boma) Road MaintenanceCLZ has been involved in grading and mapping of roads in the LZNP and surrounding GMA’s in an effort to improve accessibility to key areas, improving the response time for patrols and also benefiting the communities and tour operators. Mapping of roads is being carried out on a voluntary basis, using GPS equipment. Tour operators and stakeholders largely fund the hiring of grading machines, equipment and the necessary personnel. GPS’s, GIS and DatabaseOver the years CLZ have recognised the need for a tool to gauge the effectiveness of CLZ’s support to ZAWA and their operation and are now in the planning process to establish a Geographical Information System (GIS) and Database. Thanks to a donation received during 2002 from Elefriends Australia, CLZ were able to purchase enough GPS units to base one with all patrols in the field. Ongoing training is taking place and most of the patrol leaders and teams are excited by the new technology. It is hoped that this extremely valuable tool, utilised by patrol teams will not only improve the whole anti-poaching operation but will also provide CLZ and ZAWA with information required to compile a much needed database for the Lower Zambezi. AWF in conjunction with ZAWA, CLZ, Zimbabwe and Mozambique National Park Authorities are currently joining forces to undertake a Large Mammal Aerial Survey that will cover the area from Kariba Dam to Kahora Bassa Dam. This Survey is scheduled to take place in September 2003. AWF have also assisted in financing the purchase of digitized and geo-referenced maps of the area that will assist in the setting up of a Geographical Information System. Wildlife Police Officer AwardsThe annual CLZ Wildlife Police Officers Award Ceremony was held at ZAWA headquarters in Chilanga on Monday 16th December 2002. The 10 Wildlife Police Officers honored were selected for their outstanding performance by the Area Warden and Rangers of Lower Zambezi Area Management Unit. Selection was based on each officer's performance during the past 12 months taking into account; the number of patrol days and successful patrols each individual officer has executed, performance as escort officers and general code of conduct. CLZ would like to thank Director General of ZAWA Mr. Kabeta who presented the prizes of a mountain bike to each of the top 10 Wildlife Police Officers of the Lower Zambezi Area Management Unit. Special recognition goes to Wildlife Police Officer, Godfrey Banda who received the most prestigious award, CLZ Wildlife Police Officer of the Year and a set of binoculars donated by Max Seymor of Elefence International. CLZ Base CampDue to the possibility of CLZ moving its site the Base Camp has remained much the same during 2002. However a fuel store was built in 2002 to allow the camp to store larger quantities of fuel. A new Honda 7 KVA generator was purchased when the old one started using more oil then petrol. The most significant addition to Base Camp and its fleet of vehicles was an almost new 15-ton, 4WD Mercedes Truck that was kindly donated by the Royal Danish Embassy. The truck is intended to bring groups of school children from the surrounding GMA’s into the new Education Centre once it is completed and will be a great asset in delivering building supplies for its construction. The truck was also used in the Western Province to raise much needed funding delivering food relief for the Royal Danish Embassy during October 2002. CommunityCLZ in its limited capacity has been undertaking small community projects aimed at providing assistance to villagers in the GMA’s adjoining the park, generating goodwill and creating an atmosphere where wildlife conservation can be seen to be of benefit to the local community. These projects include:
SummaryDuring 2002 CLZ’s operations became more efficient and cost effective. The National Park and surrounding GMA’s received increased protection and the patrol teams had greater success that resulted in a decrease of poaching activities and carcasses found as indicated in the above statistics. CLZ would like to give special thanks to the ZAWA Personal of the Lower Zambezi Area Management Unit and to the Wildlife Police Officers who continue to put their lives on the line protecting this fragile environment. CLZ would also like to thank the operators of Chiawa GMA and the National Park again for their invaluable support and assistance to CLZ and ZAWA. CLZ would also like to acknowledge the substantial input from Musa Daya who assisted to maintain CLZ’s vehicles and covered all labour costs incurred. Last but not least Riccardo Garbaccio for his continued effort and help in keeping CLZ’s repeater and communication network running. Thanks again to all for helping CLZ provide a safe refuge for elephants and other wildlife. |
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© Afrikeye 1999 - 2007 (certain items under permission of original copyright owner) |
Although
the number of patrols CLZ supported dropped from 72 patrols in 2001 to 61 long
patrols in 2002, the total number of man-days in the field increased from
approximately 3200 in 2001 to 3879 in 2002. The patrols on average were longer
and therefore more efficient and cost effective. The majority of patrols
consisted of 5 men for 15 days at a time in the field. On any given day, the
average number of Wildlife Police Officers on patrols in the field increased
from 9.09 in 2001 to 11.01 in 2002. Well done to all the Officers involved.