CONSERVATION NEWS
6/24: Poachers Apprehended
Incident Report #1: Apprehension of Poachers in Upper Lupande Game Management Area
Area of Apprehension: Chipako
A team of wildlife rangers led by Zilewo Shawa, a Wildlife Police Officer, successfully apprehended Noah Zimba, age 45 in the red jersey and Samson Zimba, age 52. Both were illegally hunting within Upper Lupande Management Area.
The operation was conducted in response to ongoing reports of poaching activities threatening local wildlife populations, particularly endangered species.
Acting on intelligence gathered through surveillance and informants, the ranger team conducted a coordinated operation in the early hours of 04 AM. The team consisted of 5 rangers and they strategically positioned themselves in a known poaching hotspot called Chipako area within the game management area.
During this arrest, the rangers confiscated one homemade shotgun, 4 ammunitions, 6 snares and one dry rank which were destroyed by our rangers.
Incident Report #2: Another arrest of Poachers in Game Management Area
In early hours of this morning, in Chambowo Area, within the Upper Lupande Game Management Area. Nyonyo Wildlife Camp received intelligence regarding illegal poaching activities within the Game Management Area. The suspects were reportedly using snares to trap wildlife.
The Rangers at Nyonyo Wildlife Camp coordinated a response to apprehend the suspects and halt the ongoing illegal activities. A team was dispatched to conduct surveillance and intercept the poachers in action.
Upon arriving at the scene, two suspects namely Moses Banda, age 57 and his son Jackson Banda, a Juvenile have been apprehended red-handed while setting up snares. The team confiscated snares and other hunting gear as evidence. The suspects were taken into custody.
The arrested individuals are currently detained pending formal charges related to violations of wildlife conservation laws, specifically illegal hunting and use of prohibited trapping methods within a protected area.
The successful operation underscores the commitment of Rangers to enforce wildlife protection laws and preserve biodiversity in Protected Area. Further investigations are ongoing to identify any accomplices and gather additional evidence related to the case.
Note: This Arrest was made by different team of Rangers who are based at Nyonyo Wildlife Camp.
A Message from Nsefu Wildlife!
Dear Nsefu Wildlife Supporters!
Hoping this letter finds you happy and healthy!
Nsefu Wildlife is working incredibly hard in the field saving wildlife for future generations. It has been a challenging year in these inflationary times for sure. Fundraising has been very difficult as people are just trying to survive, yet we press on finding ways to fight extinction. Let's give you some highlights of what your foundation is doing in the field!
Our education programs are doing great with our schools K-12 where students learn about conservation on top of their other classes. We also have a traveling conservation team with instructors that go from school to school teaching conservation and establishing conservation clubs where children get to do cool things like tree planting and more! Teaching children about their wildlife and their environment is critical for future generations and the kids LOVE it. If you happen to have teaching materials pertaining to wildlife, the environment etc., that you would like to donate...Coe and fellow travelers are heading over to Zambia July 5th and many travelers have volunteered to take gear over with extra suitcases. Email Coe at coe@nsefu.org if you want to donate! Thanks!
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR EDUCATION PROGRAM
Our Women's Sewing program is a huge success...sewing clothing for the community and for the School Uniform Program! It is a jewel in our crown, and we could not be prouder.
The Tommy Raskin Sewing Center is a flurry of activity and is THE HUB of the community! We are training MORE women to learn how to sew to help them learn a trade and earn an income. All day long you hear the women singing and laughing from the Bonnie Dines Women's Center where our Tommy Raskin Sewing Program is housed. It is pure magic! If you would like to support the program and help us grow with more treadle machines, please learn more and how to donate on our website!
Our Biofencing program is growing! Using beehives in fencing (Biofencing) is a very important program for us. Biofencing protects wildlife and crops by using beehives strung with tripwire to deter Human/Elephant Conflict (HEC). Our team identified high risk Human/Elephant Conflict (HEC) zones and corridors and we are trying to raise funds to build more critically needed fencing. Using beehives in fencing is an extremely effective way to keep elephants out of crop fields, as elephants are deathly afraid of bees. HEC is a very serious problem in Africa as humans encroach into wildlife corridors. Nsefu Wildlife is pioneering in this field in Zambia and we truly hope to make it a huge success... helping both human and animal. Farmers and locals get to sell the honey produced from the hives to help supplement their income all while helping protect elephants and crop fields. Everyone wins! To help build more biofencing in more areas…visit our website to learn more and donate!
And finally...our Ranger Team! Year-round, the Nsefu Wildlife Ranger team works alongside The Dept. of National Parks & Wildlife (DNPW) in protecting Zambia's wildlife from poaching and trafficking. The economic situation is dire in Zambia with the cost of food skyrocketing due to rampant inflation. Poaching is on the upswing as people try to survive. Our rangers run 365 days/year and our job is never done. Extinction does not take a day off...nor do we. And our nonstop ranger patrols have put us in a very desperate situation. As you can imagine the terrain in Africa is absolutely unforgiving. Our 1997 Land Cruiser is truly on its last legs and we are only as effective as our vehicle.
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR 4X4 VEHICLE FUNDRAISER - DONATE TODAY!
We are currently in a particularly important fundraising campaign, "Bucks for a Truck"! A good used 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser costs approx. US $25,000 and we are working hard to raise funds to get a vehicle as quickly as possible. We are about halfway there...but we need YOUR HELP! Please consider making a tax-deductible donation today to help us reach that goal to get a new vehicle. We cannot do this without you. As always, we are always so grateful for your support, and no foundation makes a dollar more effective in the field than us.
Hoping you and yours have a safe and wonderful summer. Please check out our website that is currently being updated and we think you will like what you see. Thank you to our teammates Bill and Lex for your hard work on our site!!!
Much love from Coe, Victory, and Team Nsefu!!
May Ride 2024 & New Friends!
On May 18th, Nsefu Wildlife attended the 22nd Annual May Ride at Biggs Harley-Davidson in San Marcos, California. The event is in support of Military Heroes and their families.
This was a great event and we're so happy to have met and connected with so many wonderful people.
While at the event, we met the members of The Combatant Craft Crewman Association (CCCA), which is dedicated to preserving the history and honoring the brotherhood through their Casualty Assistance Program, Educational Endeavors, and Community Involvement. The Combatant Craft Crewman Association (CCCA) and its national host of volunteers have provided support services to assist veterans and their families in their time of need since 2013.
Through our conversations with the group and their Vice President of Marketing/Shipstore, Mike Sigsworth, they decided to donate $500 to our cause as well as donated 3 used laptops and 1 used Chromebook for our school program.
We are so lucky to have met them and grateful for their donations.
Learn more about The Combatant Craft Crewman Association (CCCA), visit: http://combatantcraftcrewman.org/
We’d also like to thank Pulltarps® Mfg. for their donation of bags made of tarps material to help protect the donated electronic devices.
Elephant Killed by Poachers
Sub-Adult Killed by Poachers
On April 22, 2024, an elephant was poached in the Upper Lupande Game Management Area in Zambia.
The poached elephant was a sub adult and was discovered with its tusk intact. The carcass was found near a watering hole, indicating the elephant was targeted while vulnerable.
Traces of poachers were found at the scene, including gunpowder, as well as tracks leading away from site.
The Principal Park Rangers from DNPW and other law enforcement authorities were immediately notified of the incident.
A specialized combined investigation team has been dispatched to gather evidence and conduct a thorough investigation to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
The carcass has been taken to the DNPW for the further examinations.
Ranger Killed in the Line of Duty!
On April 4, 2024, Community Ranger (Scout) Boniface Mposha, from the Mphuka Community Resources Board was attached and axed to death by poachers in the Rufunsa Disrict, Luangwa Game Management Area. The poachers got away with the Ranger's loaded AK-47 and are currently on the run.
The Ranger was 33 when he was attacked and was a dedicated and committed Ranger employed by Mphuka Community Resources Board! His death has had a profound impact on his family, colleagues, and the broader conservation community.
In light of this tragic event, it is imperative to strengthen our efforts to protect wildlife and our Rangers from poaching-related threats. This includes enhancing security measures, providing adequate training and equipment to Rangers and, providing 4x4 vehicles and implementing stricter penalties for poachers.
The brutal murder of Boniface Mposha serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by our Rangers who dedicate their lives to protecting wildlife. It underscores the urgent need for greater collaboration, resources, and determination in the fight against illegal poaching activities.
As we mourn the loss of the gallant Ranger, let us renew our commitment to safeguarding our natural heritage for future generations!