Lukwakwa GMA
Collaborative Management Partnership
Zambia Wildlife and Community Foundation is dedicated to protecting the unique Lukwakwa and West Lunga ecosystems by addressing illegal hunting and promoting sustainable livelihoods. By creating community game reserves in partnership with local organizations, ZWCF provides legal bush meat and employment opportunities, reducing the demand for illegal hunting. Through these efforts, ZWCF aims to restore habitats and boost wildlife populations, while supporting local communities to ensure the ecological and economic sustainability of the region.
The Lukwakwa GMA and surrounding West Lunga ecosystem is characterized by some of the most unique ecological settings in Zambia. The dry evergreen Cryptosepalum forests (Mavunda) are endemic to this area and the mosaic of rivers and wetlands create unusual arrangements of riverine, floodplain and dambo habitats. West Lunga provides vital ecosystem services that demand attention and protection.
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The ecosystem was once a refuge for a multitude of wildlife species and was considered to be a breeding ground for elephants. Over the last 50 years most mammal species have been severely impacted by illegal hunting and many have become locally extinct. Today there are remnant populations of a number of species that have learnt to survive by hiding in the extensive forest thicket known locally as Mavunda, but their numbers are critically low. ZWCF aims to restore the habitat and protect the system so that these species can return and strengthen a regional wildlife corridor.
Law Enforcement
The West Lunga Conservation Project provides vital resource and training support to a team of 120 law enforcement personnel across West Lunga. They conduct over 40 operations per month on land and water. Since 2014, almost 17,000 snares have been removed and 200 illegal firearms confiscated.
Wildlife Monitoring
DNPW, in partnership with WLCP and WWF, conduct annual wildlife ground counts using foot transects. Two elephants and two buffalo have been fitted with GPS tracking collars, allowing park management to understand their movements and distribution. A camera trap network is also in place to monitor wildlife activity.
Park Management
WLCP works with DNPW to better understand the ecological processes that drive West Lunga and implement measures to mitigate negative impacts. Fire suppression, improved access, wildlife monitoring and ecological research are all supported by WLCP and predominantly driven through the WWF Upper Zambezi Programme.
Infrastructure Development
WLCP have supported DNPW with the construction of wildlife camps, offices, bridges, roads and communications systems in order to access and manage the ecosystem. Ongoing projects include staff housing, control rooms, storage facilities, workshops and satellite camps.
- Lukwakwa & West Lunga -
