CONSERVATION NEWS
This may be the most lead polluted place on Earth. Is there any hope?
The site of a former lead and zinc mine in Kabwe, Zambia. Thirty years after the closure of the mine, the land remains highly contaminated — and artisanal miners continue to work here, exposing themselves daily to dangerously high levels of lead.
Tommy Trenchard for NPR
By Julie Bourdin / Photos by Tommy Trenchard
In a soft, faltering voice, her large brown eyes staring absently ahead, Winfrida Besa repeats "A-B-C-D" over and over as she tries to sing the ABCs. With her thin, hollow face and slight frame, 7-year-old Winfrida looks much younger than she really is.
"Winfrida doesn't go to school. She would just leave the classroom and wander off, and we worry she would get lost," sighs her grandfather, Bobby Besa, 60. The little girl was born "normal," he says, but soon she was exhibiting a constellation of disturbing symptoms that are familiar to residents of Kabwe, Zambia. The diagnosis came after blood testing at the local clinic: Lead poisoning.
This city of almost 300,000 people, 80 miles north of Zambia's capital of Lusaka, was identified by a 2022 U.N. report as a "sacrifice zone" — one of the most polluted places on the planet. Between 1906 and 1994, Kabwe was home to Broken Hill, one of the world's largest lead and zinc mines. For decades, highly toxic lead particles were blown across town, carried by the wind and the waterways, contaminating the soil in courtyards, playgrounds and on dirt roads where speeding trucks raise plumes of dust.
Incident Report: Poachers Apprehended!
While on patrol during the day near the Miliot Gate, Nsefu Wildlife Rangers (Scouts) heard gun shots in the distance and immediately headed in that direction.
They had to cover around 35 kilometers (21.75 miles) in order to track down the source of the gunshots and after several hours of searching, they eventually apprehended two suspects, while a third was able to get away.
This was exclusively a Nsefu Wildlife Ranger operation.
Our Wildlife Rangers put their lives on the line daily and we ask that you consider becoming a supporter of Nsefu Wildlife, so that we can continue to protect wildlife in Zambia.
Learn more about Nsefu Wildlife Programs: https://nsefu.org/nsefu-wildlife-programs
Learn more about the Nsefu Sector: https://nsefu.org/the-nsefu-sector
The 3rd Annual Motorcycle Monkey Run & 10th Anniversary Celebration
Clint & Coe introducing the Bands!
Thank you for joining us on Saturday, March 8th, for our 3rd Annual Nsefu Wildlife Motorcycle Monkey Run & 10th Anniversary Celebration. Thanks to Clint August for being such a wonderful friend/co-host and thank you Michelle Bailey and Full Circle Saloon for hosting us again and your generous donation. We'd also like to thank The Coffee Corner in Santee for hosting the beginning of the ride and your donation!
The event couldn't have happened with out two great bands, Jagged Machine and Brixton '76 - A Tribute to The Clash for the amazing music.
Thank you to all our supporters for helping us reach our 10th birthday! Little did Victory Wallace or Coe Lewis know that their meeting in December of 2014 would lead us to becoming a 501c3 nonprofit in March of 2015 and still protecting wildlife in 2025! Here is to the NEXT TEN YEARS of changing and saving lives... Learn more about our groundbreaking work at Nsefu Wildlife Conservation Foundation (Nsefu.org).
Special thanks to our sponsors and contributors: Pulltarps®, Alvarado Skin Institute, Camp Bow Wow, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, Gary Dines, Cynthia Cogdell & The Nsefu Wildlife Team.
The Run - East County Ride! (Click photos images to enlarge)
The After Party - Silent Auction, Prizes & More! (Click photos images to enlarge)
The Bands - Jagged Machine & Brixton ‘76! (Click photos images to enlarge)
The Video!
International Women's Day 2025
Women from the Mambwe District, including Nsefu Wildlife team members, took part in a march for International Women's Day 2025!
This year's theme was “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment” and calls for action that can unlock equal rights, power and opportunities for all and a feminist future where no one is left behind.
INCREASED HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICTS INVOLVING HIPPOS AND CROCODILES IN FLOOD-AFFECTED AREAS
Lusaka, Zambia- 7th March 2025
The Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the Ministry of Tourism and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), wishes to inform the general public, especially those residing in flood-prone areas and near water bodies such as rivers and streams, about the increasing occurrence of hippos and crocodiles in these regions.
The rise in wildlife-induced conflicts, particularly involving hippos and crocodiles, has unfortunately led to fatalities and serious injuries. This situation has been exacerbated by flooding, which has resulted in the expansion of water bodies into human settlements, increasing interactions between communities and these potentially dangerous animals.
In light of this, we urge the public to exercise extreme caution and observe necessary safety measures while conducting daily activities, particularly those related to fishing, bathing and water collection. Additionally, we advise communities to remain vigilant and immediately report sightings of hippos and crocodiles in residential or frequently used water areas to the nearest DNPW Office, Zambia Police, Community Resources Boards, Ward Development Committees, Traditional Leaders, Councilors, or District Commissioners. Timely reporting will allow authorities to take appropriate action to prevent loss of life and property.
The Ministry of Tourism, through the DNPW, remains committed to mitigating human-wildlife conflicts and ensuring the safety of all Zambians. However, we emphasize that effective management of these challenges requires collective efforts from local communities, stakeholders and cooperating partners.
We also take this opportunity to address concerns from some members of the public who believe that the Department prioritizes wildlife over human life. The Government of the Republic of Zambia categorically refutes this misconception. Human life remains our highest priority and we will continue to implement measures to safeguard both lives and livelihoods while maintaining ecological balance.
We call upon all citizens to cooperate with authorities and adhere to safety guidelines to minimize risks associated with human-wildlife interactions.
Issued by
Nelly Banda
Principal Public Relations Officer
Ministry of Tourism
Banda.Nelly@mot.gov.zm