SOUHERN AFRICAN WILDLIFE

COLLEGE

FIELD ATTACHMENT REPORT 2013

NORTH LUANGWA NATIONAL

PARK

FANWELL MUZENGEZA –

201319

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Topic page

1. Introduction 2

2. Park Back ground information 2

3. Section A (Management plan)

Part 1 Basic ecology 3

Part 2 Vegetation 4

Part 3 Animal 10

Part 4 Reserve heritage

Part 5 Ethics and reserve philosophy 12

Part 6 Reserve actions in law enforcement 13

Part 7 Environmental education 14

Part 8 Tourism 15

Part 9 Community involvement 16

Part 10 infrastructure and maintenance 17

Part 11 Park administration 25

Part 12 Financial administration 27

Part 13 Personal management 28

Part 14 Forms of communication 29

4. Conclusion 31

5. Recommendations 31

6. Acknowledgment 32

7. References

8. Appendices 33

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1. Introduction

During the months of April, May, June and July students at Southern African Wildlife College are sent back to their

respective work places to do some work place assignments after having under gone both theoretical practical

trainings at the college for four months.

The objectives of the work place assignment are to:

Give the students an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in class during the first

semester

To enable the student have an insight and field experience of the actual activities happening in the field

before they graduate

To prepare the students mentally and physically for the challenges they will face once in the field

To assess the ability of the student s to apply what they learnt in class and how they would adapt to the

actual working environment.

To enable the college understand and appreciate if the skills and modules being taught in the college are

of relevance to the changing management of Natural resources and to make necessary changes were

need arises

During the field attachment period the reporting student was attached to North Luangwa National Park of

Muchinga Province of Zambia in the Luangwa valley.

2. Park background information

North Luangwa National Park (NLNP) is located or is situated in the Northern part of the Luangwa valley, in Mpika

District of Muchinga Province of Zambia. The size of the park is 4,636 km2 lying between latitude 11° 25’’ South to

12° 20’’ South and Longitude 31° 45’’ East to 32° 40’’East.

The park is part of the larger Luangwa valley ecosystem in a catchment area covering 144000 km2 with a great deal

of contrasting attributes that include the Muchinga escarpment, Luangwa valley, vegetation complexes and the

Luangwa River system.

The full eastern boundary stretch boundary stretch of the park follows the Luangwa River and on the Western side

is the Muchinga escarpment but does not necessarily form the boundary

North Luangwa National Park experiences a typical tropical climate withy moderate rainfall of between 700 –

900mm on average. There are three distinct seasons namely; hot wet season, (November to April) cool dry season

(May to August) and dry hot season (September to November)

The park is accessible by air, during the dry season through the three air strips that are strategically located around

the park and by road through out the year via the Great North road to Nakonde border from Lusaka the capital city

of Zambia. The approximate distance from the nearest town, Mpika, which links with visitors to the countries in

the eastern and southern countries of Africa, is 110km. (see appendix 1 for Park location)

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Park purpose

The main purpose of the park is to conserve and protect the biodiversity within the park in such a way as to

maintain the pristine nature state of the park.

Park significance

a) North Luangwa National Park is one of the most pristine Wilderness areas in Zambia. It protects an area

high in Flora and fauna biodiversity, which still contains populations of animal species in significant

numbers

b) North Luangwa National Park contains endangered species, threatened and endemic species, which

include among others the black Rhino, the Wild Dog, the African Elephant and the Cookson’s wildebeest

c) North Luangwa National Park has the best example of undisturbed escarpment Miombo

d) North Luangwa National Park falls within the Global 2000 eco region 102 called the Zambezian Woodlands

and Savannas that is classified as “vulnerable”

e) The Luangwa valley were the North Luangwa National Park is located have been identified as one of the

most important Bird Areas in Africa by Bird International.

Park Management

Although North Luangwa National Park belongs to the Government of the Republic of Zambia and the custody of

Zambia Wildlife Authority just like any other National Park in Zambia, its day to day operation and management is

done under the supervision of a project known as North Luangwa Conservation Project which is funded by the

Frankfurt Zoological Society.

It is one of the National Parks managed under the Private Partnership Program between the Government of the

Republic of Zambia and the Government of the Republic of Germany. Frankfurt Zoological Society is none profit

making organization interested in helping African Countries to conserve and manage their natural resources for

the benefit of the local people.

The Government of the Republic of Germany through Frankfurt Zoological Society provide financial assistance and

technical human resources in the management of the Park, the Government of the Republic of Zambia through the

Zambia Wildlife Authority provide the personnel resources, equipments such as fire arms, the Policy guidelines,

legal frame work and the actual field staff to ensure resource protection in the park.

Part 1: basic ecology of the reserve

Reserve lentic and lotic water system – Among the Luangwa River and its many tributaries, which drain

the Luangwa Valley, it is only the Lufila and Mwaleshi Rivers that can be considered to be perennial in

North Luangwa National Park. The Luangwa and Lufila Rivers form boundaries of the park while Mwaleshi

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River dissects the Park roughly through the center and flows in the South – easterly direction, rising to the

west in Muchinga Escarpment.

Flash flooding occurs in all the rivers in the park during the rainy season. Other rivers to note are the

Mulondonshi, Chimana, Lufwashi, and Lubonga. All these come down during the rainy season, slowly

drying up with the progression of the dry season. In addition, numerous smaller streams are flooded

during the rain season.

Reserve geology and soils – The Luangwa valley is similar in origin to East African Lift Valley system but is

thought to be older because, like the Zambezi valley, it contains Paleozoic and Mesozoic strata, rather

than the more recent sediments of rocks that form the dominant strata of the valley floor and has been

laid down over a period of approximately 125 million years, starting 300 millions ago (Utting 1976).

During the same time faulting process also resulted in the injection of lava and gases in to the sediments,

and the combinations of basic volcanic and sedimentary rocks has produced a parent rock type rich in

nutrients and conducive to fertile soils. In addition, over the past few thousand years, the Luangwa River

has meandered extensively and deposited a wide belt of alluvium across the valley floor. These factors in

combination have produced unusually rich soils capable of supporting good quality grasslands and forests

(Bell 1984).

The escarpments on the east and west of the Luangwa valley are made up of igneous and or metamorphic

rocks that are hundreds of millions of years older than the Karoo rocks.

The weather pattern – North Luangwa National park experiences a typical tropical climate with moderate

rainfall of between 700 – 900mm on average. There are three distinct seasons namely, hot – wet season

(November – April), cool – dry season (May – August), and the dry – hot season (September –

October/November).

Part 2: The vegetation of the Park

The main vegetation type – Astle et.al (1969) surveyed North Luangwa National Park east of Muchinga

escarpment and surrounding areas. Habitat classification in the study was based on the physiognomic

units recognized in the series of land system representing all of the topographic units present in the

survey area.

Naylor et. al (1978) and Phiri (1998) respectively, described the vegetation of the Luangwa valley but in

both surveys the area was covered was too large and the classification was too broad to be used by the

park management. According to available information, the total numbers of vascular plants recorded in

the valley amounted to 1,348 species (from 570 genera in 145 families). In addition, 16 families of

Pteridophytes (21 genera, 30 species) had been described.

Smith (1998) published the results of a comprehensive survey of the vegetation of North Luangwa

National Park, which was carried out over a period of two years. From the surveys conducted, major

vegetation communities in the park were described and a vegetation map produced.

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More than 200 woody plants were identified and measure and these have been documented as a

preliminary check list. Miombo woodlands predominates the Muchinga escarpment and cover an area of

approximately 1,300km2

of the park. Mopane woodland is dominant type on the valley floor covering an

area of about 600km2

I. Riparian Forests, woodlands and thickets

a) Valley River line woodland and Thicket

The fringe woodland of the valley’s perennial and seasonal rivers is generally two storeyed in structure, with

canopy trees reaching 20m or higher and a well developed shrub layer which may extend to form areas of bush

land or thicket. Characteristic tall trees include, Kigelia Africana, Diospyros mesipiliforms, Trichilia emetic,

Loncoarpus capassa, Colophospermum Mopane, Combretum imberbe, Faidherbia albida, Sclerocarya birrea and

Tamarindus indica.

Commonly occurring small trees and shrubs are, Piliostigima thonningii, Ziziphus abyssinica, Oncoba spinosa,

Freretia aerugiescens, Flueggea virosa, Antidesma venosum, Phyllanthus reticulates, Acacia sieberiana and Acacia

polyacantha, Subsp campylacantha. Among the thicket forming shrubs, the genus Combretum is well represented.

b) Escarpment River line Forest

This forest is found fringing the rivers and streams of the Muchinga Mountains in the west of North Luangwa

National Park. These are dense unusually 3 – storeyed evergreen forests (locally known as Mushitu) which may

extend to adjacent swampy areas. The canopy is closed and trees from which it is formed may be 20m or higher.

The characteristic tall trees include; Syzygium cordatum, Breonardia salicina, Cleistanthus polystachyyus, S.

guineense subsp. Afromontanum, Uapaca lissopyrena, and U. sansibarica and Apodytesdimidiate. Characteristic

under storey species includes; Antidesma vogeliunum, Englerophytum megalisomonthunum, Craterispermum

schweinfurthi, Faurea saligria,

II. Bush lands and Thicket

a) Mixed Alluvial Thicket

This vegetation type is found on the alluvial soils associated with Luangwa River east of the park and is the

characteristic thicket vegetation type north of the Mwaleshi River. It comprises closed and open stands of bushes 2

– 7m high with occasional tall trees. Colophospermum mopane is present to a larger or lesser extent. Other

occasional tall trees include, Xeroderris stuhlmannii, Pseudolachnostylis maprouneifolia, Stereospermum

kunthiaanum and Adasonia digittata. Common smaller trees are Boscia angustifolia, Excoecaria bussei, Schrebera

trichoclada and Diospyros quiloensis. Dominant shrubs include Croton gratisssimum, Friesodielsia obovata,

Combretum obovata and Baphia massaiensis.

b) Combretum Thicket

This is the characteristic type south of the Mwaleshi River. It is comprised of thicket forming shrubs 2 – 7m high,

which grow in a mosaic of closed and open stands. Tall trees are rare but species such as Manikara moehisia and

Diospyros quiloensis may occur frequently. Small trees found in Combretum thicket include Schrebera trichoclada

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and Combretum collinum subsp. gazense. The dominant shrubs are Combretum elaegnoides, Combretum

celastroiddes, Combretum obovatum, Holarrhena pubescens, Vangueria infausta and Markhamia spp.

III. Miombo Woodlands

a) Brachystegia – Julbernada – isoberlinia upper escarpment and plateau Miombo woodlands

i) Upper Escarpment Miombo Woodlands

These are dominant vegetation type of the upper Muchinga escarpment in the Western part of the North Luangwa

National Park. It is two storeyed with open to light closed canopy of semi – evergreen trees 15 – 20m high.

Characteristic of the woodlands include canopy trees such as; Julbernardia paniculata, Brachystegia spiciformis,

Brachystegia utilis, Isoberlinia angolensis, Marquesia macroura, Parinari curatellifolia, Brachystegia manga and

Pericopsis angolensis. Common lower trees include Brachystegia stipulate, Uapaca kirkiana and Combretum

zeyheri. Frequent shrubs are Keetia gueinzii, Keetia venosa, Rothmannia engleriana, Landolphia parvifolia and

protea spp.

ii) Plateau Miombo Woodland

These occur in isolated patches in the far west of North Luangwa National Park and are of single storey structure

characterized by stunted Brachystegia – Julbernardia interspersed with Uapaca, protea, Faurea and Monotes spp.

iii) Rupicolus Miombo Woodland

These occur in the rocky out crops and granite kopjes of the Muchinga escarpment with additional species such as

Brachystegia micophylla, Pterocarpus rotundifolius, Schrebera trichoclada, Kirkia acuminate, Laudolphia parvifolia

and Tarrena neurophilla, Carphalea pubescens is a characteristic sub – shrub.

b) Julbernardia – Brachystegia lower escarpment and hill Miombo Woodland and scrub woodland

This woodland covers much of the lower Muchinga escarpment and its attendant foot hills – Chinshende and the

Mvumvwe range. It is also found on the upper valley floor.

i) Brachystegia Stipulata – Julbernardia Globiflora Miombo Woodland

These are the most extensive vegetation type of the lower Muchinga escarpment, taking form of 3 – 5m tall scrub

woodland, in which there are very few tall trees, Brachystegia bussei being an infrequent exception. Julbernardia

Globiflora, Brachystegia allenii, and Brachystegia stipulata in stunted form dominate vegetation. Brachystegia

manga is locally dominant in Chinshende Hills. Other common small trees are Brachystegia boehmii, Diplorphyncus

condylocarpon, Combretum zeyheri, Pseudolachnostylis maprouneifolia and Monetes africanus.

c) Julbernardia – Brachystegia Open Miombo Woodland

These are found in the deeply dissected terrain of the lower Muchinga Escarpment and foot hills, were it occurs in

mosaic with Miombo scrub woodland. It also occurs on the upper valley floor. It takes the form of open woodland

with scattered tall trees (15 – 20m) and a well developed grass layer, dominated by tall species. Characteristic tall

tree include, Burkea africana, Julbernadia globiflora, Pericopsis angolensis, and Brachystegia allenii. Common small

include Brachystegia stipulata, Combretum zeyheri, Combretum psidioides, Terminalia sericea and Oldfieldia

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dactylophylla. The shrub layer is reduced but includes Ozoroa insignis, Diplorhynchus condylocarpon, Vernonia

glaberrima and Lannea discolor.

IV. Combretaceae Woodland and Wooded grassland

a) Combretum Terminalia Woodland

This is found in close association with thicket types occupying a belt of deep sandy soil running parallel to Luangwa

River. In the western areas of the park, this woodland integrates with Miombo woodland. It covers large areas of

the valley floor and is generally associated with flat terrain.

It takes the form of open one or two storeyed deciduous woodland. Canopy species may be up to 20m tall. The

trees found in this habitat are dominated by fire tolerant Terminalia sericea (up to and above 15m high),

Pseudolachnostylis maprouneifolia, Pericopsis angolensis, Burkea africana, Erythrophetum africanum, and

Amblygonocarpus andongensis. Common small trees and shrubs are Combretum molle, Combretum collinum

subsp. gazense, Combretum zeyheri Bridelia carthatica, Crossopteryx febrifuga and Baphia massaiensis.

b) Combretum – Terminalia – Diospyros Wooded Grassland

This occurs in mosaic with mopane and hill Miombo through out its range. Well developed grass/herb layer

scattered with small trees and shrubs covering 10% to 40% of the surface defines it. Dominant small trees are

Diospyros kirkii, Terminalia stenostachya, Terminalia stuhlmannii, Combretum apiculatum, Combretum fragrans,

Combretum zeyheri, Crossopteryx febrifuga and Pseudolachnostylis maprouneifolia. Small species include Bauhinia

petersiana, Acacia hockii, Acacia gerrardii and Ximenia caffra subsp. caffra.

V. Colophospermum Mopane Woodland and shrub woodland

a) Colophospermum Mopane Woodland

This woodland occurs on the alluvial soils associated with Luangwa River and its tributaries, in the eastern part of

the park. It grows as a single dominant species in open two storeyed woodland comprising a canopy layer of

mature trees (10 -15m tall) and an under – storey of trees in various stages of development. Tress and shrubs

associated with Colophospermum mopane are comparatively few, mainly species found in the thicket habitats.

Other associated species are Afzelia quanzensis, Balanites aegytiaca and Ximenia americana.

b) Colophospermum Mopane Scrub Woodland

This woodland occurs in discrete patches through out all habitats of the valley floor forming distinct islands of

vegetation. Colophospermum mopane is dominant in this vegetation type, but its growth is stunted and it rarely

exceeds 3m in height. Characteristics associated with these shrubs are Commiphora spp. Maerua angolensis and

Lannea humilis.

VI. Grasslands

a) Chlrois – Dactyloctenium – Echinochloa Secondary Grassland

This type takes the form of short, annual grass land punctuated with occasional clumps of Combretum obovatum

thicket. It is found on the degraded mopane woodlands as a result is often scattered with the skeleton of dead

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mopane trees. The important grasses in this habitat are short to medium sized, nutritional species such as Chloris

virgata, Dactyloctenium aegytium, D. giganteum, Urochloa mossambicensis, Digitaria accuminastissima and

Eragrostis gangetica. Echinochloa colona, Brachiaria deflexa and Sporobolus pyramidalis favors the wetter sites in

this habitat.

b) Valley Riverine Grasslands

These grasslands are associated with the larger rivers of the valley floor. The Mwaleshi, Mulundashi, and Luangwa

Rivers all have the extensive flood plains within their belts as well as numerous attendant drainage channels,

oxbow lagoons and dambos.

c) Cynodon – Eragrostis Grassland and Sand Soils

These occur on the sand bars and sandy deposits of the inside curves of the valley rivers and streams. Commonly

tall grasses are Andropogon gayanus, Cymbopogon excavates, Digitaria milanjiana, Hyparrhenia filipendula,

hypeethelia Dissoluta, pennisetum perpureum, Phragmites mauritiananus, Setaria sphacelata and Themeda

triandra. Common medium sized grasses include the Stoloniferous perennial, Cynodon dactylon, which frequently

carpets sandbars and abandoned river channels.

d) Setaria – Hyparrhenia Grassland and wooded Grasslands on Clay

The brown and black clay soils associated with the flood plains of the valley’s large rivers support distinctive tall

grasslands. An important species on the brown clay loam soils is Hyperrhenia rufa where as on the black clays

Setaria incrassate grows in pure stands, interspersed with stand of Hyparrhenia and Setaria. Riverine clay soils

support areas of herbaceous vegetation dominated by the family Acanthaceae.

Aquatic Association: these are water grass associations found on the seasonally water logged clays of the Luangwa

River’s oxbow lagoons and dambos. In these areas, which remain under water for most of the rain season, water –

loving grasses such as Oryza barthii, Echinochloa colona, Sporobolus pyramidalis and Setaria spp. dominate.

Common sedges in this habitat include Cyperus esculentu, Cyperus articulatus, Cyperus distans and Kyllinga alba.

When water remains in the lagoons and dambos, the aquatic waterweed Pistia stratiotes is the dominant grass.

e) Loudetia – simplex – Hyparrhenia Dambo Grassland

On the Muchinga Escarpment and hills of North Luangwa National Park (Chinshende, Mvumvwe, and Soma) the

rivers and streams do not have a well – developed belt meander belt and as a result, the herbaceous riverside

vegetation is less well defined than in the valley. However, the numerous dambos and drainage channels

associated with these water courses do have a characteristic grass and herb component.

Early in the rainy season the dambos of the upper escarpment are characterized by the grass species that include,

Loudetia simplex, Setaria sphacelata and Setaria pumila. Later on in April/May, Hyparrhenia species are dominant.

Other late season dominants are Andropogon chinensis, Diheteropogon filifolius, Monocymbium ceresiiforme and

Pennisetum unisetum. The dominant grasses and herbs found in the upper escarpment, however a number of

water associated grasses and herbs from the valley may also occur.

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Fire Management in the Park

In the mid 1980s, illegal wild fires burned almost 80% of the NLNP annually. Food and Agricultural Organization reported in 1973 that frequent occurrence of fire has a degrading effect on the vegetation and the soils of the Luangwa valley. More than 50% of the dead trees in the Combretum Terminalia communities of the valley floor show signs of fire damage. The park has insufficient fire control plan in place. Limited early burning and firebreak construction along the Mwaleshi River has been conducted. There is need however for an extensive early burning and fire break program in NLNP. The Park however is very often affected by fires from the surrounding communities during the hot season when the communities burn their fields in preparation for the farming season. The communities around the park practice the Chitemene Cultivation system, which is cut and burn fields, from which they grow millet. This system makes the communities to cut huge portion of a bush and then collect and heap the cut branches which they burn in the center of the field. In most cases, the communities do not make fire brakes around these fields hence the fire strays in to the park.

Condition of the veld in the Park

The condition of the veld in the Park is generally good and enough to support both browsers and grazers. This is

attributed mainly to the rich soils from the volcanic and sedimentary parent rock that has produce rick nutrient

soils in the valley. The result of the flooding of the Luangwa river and many of its tributaries coupled with the

extensive meandering of the Luangwa river has deposited a wide belt of alluvium across the valley floor. These

factors in combination have produced unusually rich soils capable of supporting good quality grassland, woodlands

and forests.

Problem plants species in the Park and Control Action

North Luangwa National Park has bee managed in such a way that it is kept as a prime Wilderness with very little

accessibility by the outside world. Not so many people or tourists visit the park in a given year and those that visit

it are given all precautions not to introduce any plants in the Park. As at the time of writing this report, no problem

plants or alien plants have been recorded in the Park. However, management is always on a out look out for any

alien species and monitoring of alien plant species are done by officers conducting anti-poaching activities in the

park especially in the Rhino sanctuary were Rhinos have been reintroduced in the park.

Part 3: Animals of the Park

The rich soils and diverse vegetation types of NLNP support a wide variety of large mammalian species. However,

there is currently no comprehensive list of mammals, birds, amphibians and fishes of NLNP.

North Luangwa Conservation Project (NLCP) has been assisting Zambia Wildlife Authority in conducting large mammal censuses in the park since its inception in the year 2000. Another organization that has been assisting Zambia Wildlife Authority with conducting wildlife census is the Wildlife Conservation Society of Zambia. However the data on the numbers of large mammals reported by the Owen Foundation for Wildlife Conservation between 1989 and 1994 do not show the standard error but only shows population estimates. Large mammal species that are known to occur include elephant, buffalo, zebra, bushbuck, Oribi, warthog, Bush pig, baboons, Vervet monkeys, Reedbuck and Klipspringer.

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Abundance and population trends

A census for all large mammal species in NLNP was last conducted in October 2011 and the results are illustrated in

Table 2 below.

Species Population Estimate Standard

Error 95 % Confidence

limits

Elephant 2,414 66 131

Buffalo 14,565 3,591 7,182

Puku 1,450 188 376

Impala 3,923 297 594

Waterbuck 383 94 188

Wildebeest 1,960 658 1 315

Zebra 1,811 242 484

Table2. Population Estimates for Common Large Mammals in North Luangwa National Park, October 2011

The other species of antelope known to occur in NLNP, but which are not included in the above table due to relatively low density numbers or difficulties in observing during aerial survey are Lichtenstein’s Hartebeest, Eland, Roan, Sable, Oribi, Reedbuck, Bushbuck, Grysbok, Klipspringer and Common Duiker.

Intensive poaching pressure during the 1970s and 1980s drastically changed this situation around, and extinction of the elephant population in NLNP was feared. Probably due to a combination of the increased law enforcement capability of ZAWA with financial support of NLCP, and the ban on ivory trade imposed in 1992, elephant poaching has almost been eliminated and there is a positive trend in population numbers. Black Rhinos have been reintroduced into a central sanctuary in NLNP since May, 2003 from South Africa and the population of the Black Rhinos has risen to 29 by 2013. Hippos occur in high densities in the Luangwa River. A count of hippo in the Luangwa River bordering the NLNP was conducted in 1999 and the average density were 30.5 animals/ river km. Hippos also occur in the other rivers of NLNP during the wet season, but retreat to the Luangwa River or the upper reaches of the respective rivers in the escarpment as the rivers dry up. The Mwaleshi River have some pods of hippo on the valley floor in some of the pools remaining upstream from its confluence with the Lufwashi and Lubonga Rivers throughout the year, and the perennial Lufila river also harbors hippos throughout.

Except for isolated sightings, giraffes are not commonly seen in NLNP. Carnivores are well represented with healthy populations of lion and leopard. Smaller cats such as serval, caracal and African wildcat are also occasionally sighted. NLNP still harbors a population of wild dog, although the current population size is not known.

Census methods used and frequency Two methods of animal census are used to count animal population in the North Luangwa National Park and the surrounding Game Management Areas. The methods used are aerial surveys through the use of a light plane and

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ground counts through walking through established transects. Aerial surveys are mainly used for large mammals such as elephants, buffalos, hippos etc while for smaller animals, walking ground counts are used. Although animal census are supposed to be conducted every after two to three years, financial constraints makes the conducting of both ground counts and aerial surveys impossible. However, officers on patrols record some sighting of animal species while on patrols especially the large mammals that can easily be seen from a distance. This data is very unreliable in most cases as one and the same group is normally recounted by the patrolling officers. Both ground counts and aerial surveys are conducted after five years in the North Luangwa National Park.

Population control (stocking, culling, harvesting, hunting game capture)

No population control measures have ever been conducted in the North Luangwa National Park. This is mainly due to high levels of poaching especially for such species as elephants and the Rhinos. Rhinos in the North Park actually became extinct due to poaching they were on reintroduced late in the year 2003. The population of elephants in the North Luangwa equally also dropped drastically in the 1980s. No culling or hunting is done in National Parks in Zambia unless when there is an out break of a disease such as anthrax and or just for educational purposes only. There is no program for live game capture is currently conducted in the North Luangwa National Park due to small population in animal species. No wildlife harvesting is allowed in National Parks in Zambia unless for the purpose of education. National Parks are however the reservoirs were wild animals reproduce and are then hunted in the surrounding Game Management Areas by both the local communities through licenses and through Safari hunting companies. Restocking has however been done in the North Luangwa National Park were the Black Rhinos has since been reintroduced. As has been mentioned earlier on, five Rhinos were first reintroduced in 2003 and since then, the numbers of Rhinos has increased to 35. The Rhinos are nevertheless in the sanctuary and have not yet been released in to the wilderness of the Park for the fear of high levels of poaching being experienced in the Park

Disease monitoring and management The research department of Zambia Wildlife Authority does conduct disease monitoring in the Park especially for the newly introduced Rhinos. However, the monitoring is not adequate as this could be seen when three Rhinos died in the Park without the knowledge of the Park Management. The carcasses were only discovered after some time by some officers conducting patrols. The Park has no veterinary doctor placed within the park but only comes in when there is a report of a Rhino being seen to be behaving strangely. In most cases, the veterinary doctors come all the way from South Africa were the Rhinos were brought from. The only known disease that occurs in North Luangwa National Park is Anthrax. The disease dose not only occur in the park but do occur in the whole Luangwa valley along the Luangwa river and Luangwa river is known to be the major source of anthrax in Zambia especially in the dry season when the water levels of the Luangwa valley becomes so low and most of the water ponds dry up forcing animals to crowd up in the fewer ponds left in the river basins.

Part 5: Ethics and Philosophy of the Park First respondent

The first respondent believes that all natural resources were made for man to benefit from. His belief is based on the fact that the Bible in the book of Genesis says that after God had completed his works of creating every thing in the Garden of Eden, he saw it not to be complete, hence he said lets create Man in our own image. After

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creating Man, God made man responsible or rather in charge of every creation and told him to make use of all the resources in the garden. (Genesis: 2:15) the respondent strongly feels that human kind is special and is above all creation and that the rest of the creation must satisfy man’s basic needs. The respondent said working in a Conservation organization does not change his belief but only does so just for a salary. He feels arresting people for eating what was given to them by God the creator is wrong but these are laws put in place by human beings and have no blessings from God. He further said that the Government itself does sell the same animals and other natural resources to Safari operators and other industries that utilize them for monetary gains. Second respondent The seconded respondent said that nature takes very good care of itself and does not need man to manage it. He believes that man is part of the environment. He said man is only there to exploit the natural resources in the environment and does so very unsustainably. He said his belief is drawn from the fact that nature does not depend on man for survivor whilst man’s life entirely depends on nature for survivor. He said man depend on nature for oxygen, rain that is made by natural process, food in the forest and forest products such as mushroom, fruits, building materials for homes, soil for cultivation of crops, medicine from plants roots and other plants parts and in the process disturbs other living organisms that depend on the resources in the natural environment. He further said working for a conservation organization like Zambia Wildlife Authority strengthens his belief as it enables him enjoy nature to the fullest and makes it possible for him to educate other people as to why it is important to conserve nature but important to let nature manage itself. Comparison of the two respondents The two respondents have very different ideas and approaches to conservation. The first respondent has a Man centered approach that believes that Man is more important to nature and that all natural resources are meant to satisfy man’s needs. There is even a miss interpretation of the Bible as the Bible in Genesis says that man should keep and look after the Garden of Eden on behalf of God and not to destroy it. The second respondent has Nature centered approach as he believes that nature is a very important component of the complex ecosystem and that man’s life and whole being depends very much on the natural processes that take place in the natural phenomena while nature does not depend on man. He also believes that nature can manage itself without the influence of man. He believes that nature must be left to manage itself for the benefit of man’s survivor for oxygen, rain, food and shelter and also for the benefit of other living organisms that depend on each other for their survivor. Part 6: Law enforcement

Nature crime in the Park North Luangwa National Park just like any other national Parks in Africa is faced with a lot of challenges in terms of illegal activities in terms of illegal harvesting of wildlife and other natural resources such as fishing and encroachment. The fact that North Luangwa National Park is surrounded with communities whose populations are growing so quickly hence creating pressure for more demand for natural resources and land for agriculture. There are three big rivers that run through the Park and this makes the surrounding communities have the desire to go in to the park to catch the fish. The communities once lived in this part of the land before it was gusseted as

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National Park and hence the communities feel that the land and the natural resources were taken away from them by the Government.

Law enforcement activities

To overcome illegal activities in the Park, Zambia Wildlife Authority with the support of Frankfort Zoological Society through the North Luangwa Conservation Project ran anti-poaching programs. The park has camps for Wildlife Police Officer around the Park who conduct patrols both in the Park and the adjacent Game Management Areas were people and Wildlife live along side each other. The Officers conduct four types of operations; (i) long patrol of 15 days involving four (4) officers (II) Short Patrol of up to 8 days involving four (4) (iii) 1 day patrol involving two (2) and (iv) information gathering in the communities involving two officers. Other law enforcement activities that takes place include village sweeps and road blocks when ever information is collected that a crime is about to be committed or has been committed in a certain village or area.

Counter poaching strategies

As a counter poaching strategy, North Luangwa Conservation Project employees as many youths as possible from the surrounding communities in its different works as a means to reduce the community exerting pressure on the park through poaching. Another strategy used by the project is that the project provides ready market for most of the crops that the communities around the park grow such as maize, beans rice. The project then uses these food stuffs for anti-poaching activities while at the same time improving the livelihood of the local communities.

Law enforcement with tourists As has been mentioned area on North Luangwa National Park is not yet very much open to the public. However, it does receive some clients through the three bush camps that operate in the park on seasonal basis. Each of the camp receives not more that six clients at a time and these are supervised by the tour operators. The three lodges mostly operate strictly guided walking safaris in the park. However, Zambia Wildlife Authority officers provide security during the walking safaris in case of dangerous and wounded animals. However, there has been some cases were some operators have brought in clients without following the proper immigration procedures and such clients have been sent out of the park. In most cases the tourists have been very supportive to the law enforcement activities and have supported in terms of operational costs.

Checks and balances within the staff The intelligence department of the Zambia Wildlife Authority conducts investigations not only about the communities likely to break the law but the staff as well. All those found wanting and properly investigated and if found to wanting, they are subjected to tribunal and depending on the gravity of the case, one is either suspended, demoted or employment terminated and black listed not to be employed in Conservation ever again. Officers are provided with all the required field equipments for operations and those that perform to expectations are rewarded by sending them for further studies at Mweka Wildlife College in Tanzania or locally or are recommended for promotion to higher positions of a Senior Wildlife Police Officer and or Park Ranger or even Area Wardens. Officers are also rewarded with cash bonuses at the end of every year in different categories such as most hard working, most improving, those with more operations man days, those with more arrests and etc. This keeps the

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spirits of the officers high and always competing for either an opportunity to be recommendation for promotion or scholarship to advance in terms of career advancement. Part 7: Environmental education

Environmental activities North Luangwa conservation project runs an environmental awareness program in schools around the Park. Mostly the program is concentrated on creating awareness about the importance of looking after newly introduced Rhinos in the Park. The program is mostly targeted at the younger grades. School competition and quiz are organized for school pupils on annual basis and the schools that do well are presented with awards while individual pupils participating in the quiz are also awarded small token of appreciation in term of certificate and monies for the good performances. The older members of the community are not covered in such programs. This help the children to grow up with some knowledge as to why is important to conserve the Rhinos in a National Park.

Park environmental issues Although North Luangwa National Park boosts of being a pristine Wilderness due to its remoteness, it has however in the recent past been faced with serious environmental issues that need serious attention.

(i) Encroachment – due to increasing population in the surrounding Game Management Areas, some parts of the park has been encroached as people are looking for more land to cultivate. This is necessitated by the farming methods of farming that the local community uses, shifting cultivation. Cut and burn or Chitemene as locally known.

(ii) Poor fishing methods – the park shares boundary along the Luangwa River were the local communities do their fishing. It has been observed of late that the communities use such things like mosquito nets and poison to catch and kill fish in both the Luangwa river and the rivers right inside the Park. The fish population has reduced in size and numbers and some species have come to an instinct.

(iii) Water pollution - This has great effects on other living creatures such as animals and birds that drink

from the same sources of water causing death to animals such as hippos etc. further more as a result of some farming activities taking place on the upper land of the river line, the Luangwa river and many of its tributaries is polluted with chemicals from such as insect sides, pests sides and fertilizers used in the farming process.

Personal involvement in environmental education As an Extension Officer, my personal involvement in environmental education is at a much higher level. Unlike the programs being run by the project in schools, I am in charge of all community conservation education program in the Game Management Area. My role is to work with the communities through community organizations known as Community Resources Boards in management of Natural resources in the Game Management Area. The boards are responsible for planning, development and implementing of Game Management Plans in the Areas. Within these plans, the areas are zoned for different activities such as farming, hunting, tourism and settlements and commercial activities. The boards also puts in place by-laws that must be followed by all community members as to how natural resources are to be managed in the area in conjunction with the Zambia Wildlife Authority.

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From these activities, the communities derive direct benefits from the sustainable utilization of their Natural resources such as hunting, levy of forests and forestry products and collection of grass and sand for commercial uses. I also work with other government departments, the local council, and other Non- Governmental organizations working towards conserving the environment. PART 8: Park tourism

North Luangwa National Park is considered or regarded as the reservoir of the Luangwa valley in terms of wildlife resources. Its relative pristine state has made North Luangwa the least marketed and promoted in terms of tourism. The park has big potential for ecotourism development due to its abundant wildlife and diverse vegetation species but this has not yet been promoted.

However, during the recent past, some operators have been granted concessions to operate in the North Luangwa National Park. Mainly providing walking safaris. These operators operate seasonal tourism with no permanent structures in place as the park is considered to be a wilderness.

Road network in the park is limited to management access roads only. The absence of designated game viewing loops has resulted in into off road driving by the operators in some cases as well as limiting the game viewing on the main road. The use of vehicles in the walking safari areas are restricted to operators vehicles only using the designated management roads. There is no need to construct additional game viewing loops in this area as the principle form of game viewing is through walking safaris.

The important point to note is that that driving in the walking safaris areas is restricted to tour operator’s vehicles only because this is after visitors using their own vehicles have gained access to the lodges. Subsequent to their arrival by their own vehicles at these lodges, they are not allowed to use their private vehicles as this may cause conflict in certain instances with walking safaris.

There are only four lodges that are operational in North Luangwa National Park and these are; Shiwa safaris offering eight comfortable chalets , Remote Africa Safaris offering six bed capacity, Dawn Safaris offering six bed capacity and Luangwa North Camp ( feeling Africa Safari) offering eight bed capacity.

year ZMK US Dollar Tourists arrivals

2008 31,994,780.00 76,662.00 1,014

2009 34,357, 370.00 83,548.00 756

2010 25,650, 200.00 70,271.00 2,143

2011 35, 615, 540.00 65,732.50 845

2012 355, 797.84 4, 670.00 814

Tourism arrivals and income

It would be important to establish village cultural villages in the surrounding communities so that the tourist visiting the park could have an opportunity to interact with the local communities that live and looked after these wild animals that they come to see and also understand and appreciate the problems and challenges the local communities face in their day to day livelihood as they live along side these wildlife estates. The interaction will enable the remote communities learn about the various, different divergent dynamic cultures world wide.

(Personnel organogram see appendix)

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PART: 9 Association with local Communities

North Luangwa national park is surrounded with four communities namely; Chikwa, Nabwalya, Lundu and Chifunda. The Park has formal engagement with the local communities through their elected local boards known as the community resources boards. The boards hold meetings with the park management to discus among other issues conservation management in both the park and the Game Management Areas and the development projects such as construction of Schools, provision of safe water for drink.

The boards also employ village scouts that help the park management in law enforcement activities an others such book keepers who manages books of accounts for the community.

The communities in adjacent surrounding do not directly benefit, use or remove of any natural resources from the Parks as the law in Zambia does not allow any harvesting or hunting to take place in National Parks unless for educational and research purposes only.

However, local communities’ benefits indirectly through employment in the lodges and other job opportunities that is available in the park. The communities hunt the animals when they come out of the park that acts as the reservoir for animal species.

Safari hunting takes place in the surrounding Game Management Areas where the Communities live. The revenue from the hunting of the wildlife is directly shared between the communities through the Community Resources Boards and the Zambia Wildlife Authority on a fifty percent share. The receiving of revenue from hunting is backed by the Wildlife Act of 1998 under part iii that allows the formation of Community Resources Boards by communities that live along side the wildlife Estates.

The funds or revenue from hunting is used by the community to improve their livelihood through self help projects such as construction of Schools, Clinics, roads and procurement of hummer mills to provide services to the communities. Children who qualify to go to colleges from the communities but have no funds to pay are sponsored by the community using funds from Safari hunting in their respective areas.

These come and work in their areas for a certain period during which they are bonded by the community until such a time that they may leave to and work some where else. However, the process of selecting such student is faced with a lot of challenges such as not having adequate resources to pay for all school leavers. Those closer to influential leaders such as Chiefs, in the community have an upper hand than others. Others just opt not to come back and work in their areas after graduating from colleges as they prefer to work in urban areas.

To redress poaching of natural resources by the communities in the surrounding areas the following would be important steps undertake;

- Strengthen the capacity of the local community to manage the natural resources in their areas

- Improve and strengthen the capacity of the community leaders through trainings to manage the

revenue received from the hunting for the benefits of the whole community

- Ensuring that the community receive adequate trainings in other livelihood skills that will enable them generate sufficient income for their livelihood and stop to exert pressure on Natural Resources for survival

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- Making the community develop a sense of ownership of the natural resources just as they do with cattle, goats and other livestock and to start viewing natural resources as natural assets for development.

- Allowing the local community opportunity to collect some of the most important resources they need

from the park in a most sustainable manner.

- The Government to exhibit a strong political will by providing commitment through sufficient budget allocations towards conservation.

Part: 10 - Park maintenance of infrastructure

Park annual work Frame

No Out come Activity Units(tangible out put)

Planned Means of verification

Time frame

Comment

Out come 1 Threats reduced

Strategic them 1.1 Direct interventions to mitigate threats

1 Effective Fire management

Fire breaks burnt and management burns undertaken

Breaks/blocks burnt by management

150km2 Aerial survey

mapping June, July, Aug

Fire Fire breaks done

Strategic them 1.2 Resource Protection and law enforcement

1.2.1 Effective and well managed law enforcement patrols in the wider ecosystem

Strategic LE effort and deployment with adequate rations and equipment

patrols 68 patrols per month

Law enforcement data

Jan to Dec

Limited man power affects patrol deployment

1.2.2 Patrols planned and integrated into a wider network

Patrol analysis carried out

position reports

45/month

analysis reports Jan to Dec

As above

Patrols planned and integrated into wider network

LE database 1 annual reports Dec As above

1.2.3 IPZ for black rhino secured/maintained

Patrols deployed within the IPZ with adequate rations and equipment

Patrols 68 patrols per month

Law enforcement data base

Jan to Dec

1.2.4 Aerial support enhancing law enforcement effectiveness

Fixed wing aerial support to LE operations

hrs flown 150 aircraft log book

Jan to Dec

Weather condition and high cost of fuel affect No of flights

1.2.5 LE staff numbers maintained with well-trained and equipped officers

Lobby ZAWA HQ to maintain required man power numbers

scouts maintain minimum 140 Mano, 25 Kanele, 25

ESSENTIAL and numbers indicted are a minimum. Mano Sector has WPO identified for promotions. Names to be submitted to the Warden

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Chifunda, 17 Fulaza

In-service training syllabi and instructors identification

curriculum 3 Training manuals

Completed in 2012

In-service training for NLNP/GMA WPOs - general refresher

scouts 165 certificates/training report

Completed 2012

In-service advanced tactical training for rhino protection unit

scouts 60 certificates/training report

Completed 2012

Investigations and intelligence in-service training

rangers/scouts 20 certificates/training report

Mar 2013

Equipment and uniform distribution

sets 165 distribution signing sheets

Completed 2013

Strategic theme 1.3 Ecosystem, species and threat monitoring

1.3.1 Status and condition of rhinos monitored

Rhino monitoring teams deployed and maintaining sighting targets

sightings 60/month

Rhino database

Jan to Dec

1.3.2 Ecological status of sanctuaries monitored

Browse assessment conducted

browse assessments

On going Jan To Dec

1.3.3 Rhino adaptation managed (nutrition and disease)

Rhino supplementary feed

improved rhino condition

n/a

Rhino database

Jan to Dec

Rhino pest control

targets

300

meters of material purchased

Feb, Apr, June, Aug, Oct, Dec

Strategic Theme 1.4 Direct intervention to improve ecosystems and species viability

1.4.1 Rhino Sanctuary integrity maintained

Sanctuary fence maintained

kms fence

170

fence maintenance checks

Jan to Dec

Fence integrity maintained - slashing

kms fence

170 fence maintenance checks

Jan, Feb, Mar and

Head of Rhino Monitoring must take responsibility

19

Dec

1.4.2 Veterinary support for Black Rhino population

Veterinary support

days worked

20

Rhino ops- implants/health checks

Apr

143 Physiological status of rhinos monitored

Veterinary support

days worked

20

samples taken/analysis results

Apr

1.4.4 Aerial support for BR protection/monitoring

Helicopter aerial support to BR operations

hrs flown

20

horn transmitter implants

Apr

Fixed wing aerial support to BR operations

hrs flown

150

aircraft log book

Jan to Dec

1.4.5 Facilitate Opportunities for expansion of BR in Luangwa ecosystem

Translocate animals to outside sanctuary to relieve nutritional and social pressure.

rhinos

1

translocation

Apr

1.4.6 De-horning of rhinos rhinos all Completed Apr As recommended by BRMP

Out come 2 effective, transparent and adaptive management

Strategic theme 2 specific management planning

2.1.1 2.1.1Tourism Development plan

Agreed scope, investor attraction, lease signing, revenue retention?

plan

1

NL Tourism Dev Plan

Jan, Feb, Mar

Awaiting Chilanga to endorse Consultancy

Strategic Theme 2.2 Administration and management systems

2.2.1 Management systems supported with effective databases

Database for LE monitoring

computers

n/a

reports

Jan to Dec

Database for Rhino monitoring

computers

n/a

reports Jan to Dec

Database for Investigations

computers

n/a

purchase and training

CTA and SIO to research and identify best suitable for NLE needs

Strategic Theme 2.3 Infrastructure and equipment provision

2.3.1 Integrated road network for management and tourism

current road network graded BR roads improved

kms of road 750

roads graded/mapped

May, June, July Aug.

Permanent Road Signs needed throughout network

Bridge and drift construction for BR management

drifts 10 Contract completed

May, June, July Aug

Nakawele- Falls- Ele Playground Route, Funding applied for

bridges 2 Contract completed

June, July Aug

Kawilo and Chipembele Rivers, Funding already secured

kms of 2 Contract July Funding applied for IPZ

20

graveled road completed Aug Roads

NLNP All Weather Road network improved

Design

1 Engineers Design and Cost Report Completed

May Proposal drawn up and circulated to possible donors

2.3.2 Airstrips operational Airstrips inspected and opened

airstrips 3 field visits/DCA licenses

Jan, May,

2.3.3 Improved ZAWA building infrastructure

Scout houses built and maintained

houses built/refurbished

30

Field visits

Apr May June July Aug Sept

Funding secured for 5 houses in Fulaza Sector in 2013, Further funds being sort for 25

Scout base radio camp improvements

radio rooms/offices

0 contract completed

Not planned in 2013

2.3.4 Effective radio Communications

Radio network maintained and expanded if necessary/possible

radios/base sets/repeaters

currently ± 100 in operation

Jan to Dec

We shall seek for funding for a digital network

2.3.5 Vehicles maintained for effective management

Vehicle maintenance

vehicles 11 l-cruisers/ 3 tractors/ 3 trucks/ 1 power grader/ 5 motorbikes/ 2 quad bikes/ 5 trailers/ 2 fuel bouzers

workshop maintenance records

Jan to Dec

Maintenance costs should be reduced in 2013 as 7 new cruisers and 5 new motorbikes will replace older costly vehicles

2.3.6 Tourism access across the Luangwa river

Luangwa pontoon put in

pontoon

1

gate fees

May

Strategic Theme 2.4 Training, mentoring, experience-sharing visits

2.4.1 ZAWA mid-level management trained

Mweka training for SWPO

student

0

certificate

July

Mweka & KWS training for SWPO

student

2

Diploma

July Chiweshe and Nyambe (CTA & DCM to visit and Inspect KWSTI Feb 2013

2.4.2 Capacity building ZAWA mentoring days 52 improved Jan to

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through mentorship

communications/effectiveness

Dec

Outcome 4. Policies, legislation, partnerships and awareness

Strategic Theme 4.1 Policy and legislation

4.1.1 Bangweulu Area Management Unit - Business Centre

ZAWA memo requesting area business planning.

Document/business plan

1

Jan to Dec

Strategic Theme 4.2 Local or national forums and grass root activities

4.2.1 Rhino Experts Forum

Email Forum 1

Jan to Dec

Strategic Theme 4.3 Networking, partnerships, dialogue and advocacy

4.3.1 Better coordination with ZAWA HQ for NLCP activities

NLCP/NLNP Management Planning

meetings

2

Feb and Aug

4.3.2 Better coordination in management activities within NLNP

NLNP Management Planning

meetings

4

May , July Oct

visits

3

June , Aug Sept

4.3.3 Better coordination in management activities within NL ecosystem

NLNP Sector Planning

Field visits 4 May Aug Sep

4.3.4 Better coordination with judicial authorities in NL ecosystem

Magistrate visits to NLNP

field visits

2 Mpika and Lundazi

Apr, Aug

AW & CTA to facilitate and aim for two trips to one of the lodges and allow opportunity of ZAWA & FZS Presentations

4.3.5 Better coordination with DJOC

DJOC Visits to NLNP

field visits

1

Mpika and Lundazi

Apr, Aug

4.3.6 Better coordination for ongoing BR management

SAN Parks dialogue with NLNP BR management

field visits

2

Apr, Sep

4.3.7 Rhino Tourism opportunities

Safari and Commercial Protocol

meetings

2

Apr, Sept

Meeting needed in May 2013. Viewing deck completed at spring.

4.3.8 Musalangu/Mwakana/Chama Development

AW & CTA to undertake review of Musalangu GMA Security Status, Requirements and Strategy

Field Trip

1

Report

Apr

With new tar link road from Chinsali to Chama across Luangwa Valley there is urgent need for security review and strategy. CTA agreed to assist AW with this.

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Strategic Theme 4.4 Environmental education

4.4.1 Improved dissemination of conservation education through the school system

Conservation Education Program

school visits

140

feedback forms from teachers

Jan, Feb Mar, Apr May, June July, Sept Oct, Nov

Annual District celebration days

days

3

prize giving

Oct

Monitoring and evaluation of CEP

review

1 Nov

Teachers Training Workshop

workshop

1 Mar With ZSL and SRI

4.4.2 Improving education access for children of ZAWA officers

Mano school development

Open Boarding Facility

1 Jan Need to install water pump, solar and lights, bunk beds, kitchen equipment and trunks.

Strategic Theme 4.5 Dissemination, marketing and publicity

4.5.1 Improved awareness of NLNP conservation issues locally, nationally, internationally

Black rhino information dissemination

articles

2

publications

Apr and Aug

Outcome 5.Sustainable Financing

Strategic Theme 5.1: Business planning

5.1.1 Improved management model for NLNP developed

Management model to be developed and proposed with ZAWA

Model

1

Jan Feb Mar

Awaiting Chilanga endorsement for consultancy since 2010

Strategic Theme 5.2: Tourism development and management

5.2.1 Tourism returns to NL ecosystem improved

Tourism development plan

plan

1

reports

June, July Aug

Waiting for Chilanga to endorsement the consultancy since 2010

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Five priority maintenance issues

1. Effective fire management

This is a very important activity as it will assist in preventing fires that come from the surrounding GMAs as the communities do their field burning in October crossing over in to the park as has been discussed under fire Management control. The fire at this time of the year is very hot and burns all grass and herbs creating shortage of food for animals to eat.

2. Law enforcement/patrols

These are normal and very important daily patrols that are conducted by the officers both in the National Park and the surrounding Game Management Area to prevent illegal harvesting of wildlife resources. Law enforcement patrol is one activity that can not be compromised in any protected area if the resources are to be protected from illegal activities. The rate of poaching especially of elephants has now reached an alarming rate.

3. Rhino monitoring patrols

Rhinos in the park are very special and important species that have added value and significance to the Park in terms of tourists coming to the Park and hence revenue generation by the Park. It is very important to ensure protection of these Rhinos as huge sums of money has been spent to have them re-introduced in the park after they were completely wiped out through poaching. Out side countries and organizations have also spent a lot of money to ensure that Rhinos are brought back in to the park.

4. Rhino sanctuary integrity The Rhino sanctuary is the area where the Rhinos are located in the park. It is therefore very important that the integrity of the sanctuary is well and properly looked after for easy monitoring of the Rhinos in terms of sighting and disease controls. Otherwise it will be very difficult to guaranty that the Rhinos are still there if the sanctuary is not looked after. Maintaining the integrity of the sanctuary will also ensure that the electrical fence is working properly and ensure that the Rhinos are kept within the sanctuary without which the safety of the Rhinos will be compromised making the Rhinos become vulnerable to poaching by people around the Park once they are out side the sanctuary.

5. Park road net work grading As mentioned in the earlier chapters that North Luangwa is managed as a pristine Wilderness, meaning that the area is not yet opened up and hence has very limited road net work. Most of the roads in the park are management roads though the tour operators working in the park use the same roads for tourism activities. It is therefore very important that the few roads available are always maintained to accepted standards so that the tour operators do not open up new roads and that management monitoring by both the Project and Zambia Wildlife Authority Officers is very easy. Good road net work will make the few tourists that visit the Park want to come back again or encourage other tourists to visit the Park.

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Annual Operation plan

No Goal Out put Resources Quantity/unit

Unit cost Total cost Time frame

1 1 team of 6 officers to conduct early management patch/block burning done around the park

150km2

stretch early burning done

-food staffs and perishables -fire kit -fuel (diesel)

-3packs -6 sets -210 liters

-K6000.00 -stores -K8.70

-K18,000.00 -K1,827.00 K19,827.00

Jun, July and Aug.

2 5 patrol teams of 4 officers to conduct 2x 10 days long foot patrols in the park in the park every month

10 foot long patrols conducted in the park a month

-Food staffs and perishables -Fire arms and ammos -Filed equipments

-10 packs -20 each -20 sets

-K2000.00 -armory - stores

-K240,000.00 K240,000.00

Jan - Dec

3 2 patrol team of 4 officers to conduct 2x10 days long monitoring foot patrols in the sanctuary area every month

4 long foot patrols conducted in the sanctuary each month

-food staff and perishables -Fire arms and ammos -Filed equipments -fuel (Diesel)

-4 packs -8 each -8 sets -1200 liters

-K2000.00 -armory -stores -K8.70

-K96,000.00 - - -K10,440.00 K110,440.00

Jan - Dec

4 1 maintenance team of 4 officers conduct weekly check and maintenance of the sanctuary fence

4 check ups maintenance made around the fence a month 170km

-fuel (diesel) -wires -batteries -Vehicle

-1000 liters

-K8.70 -stores -stores -workshop

-K8,700.00 -K8,700.00

Jan - Dec

5 Workshop team of 4 officers conducts end of rain season grading of the 750km road net work in the park using tractor pulled graders by August

750km stretch of roads graded

-fuel (diesel) -tractors -Graders

-1500 liters -K8.70 -workshop -workshop

-K13,050.00

May, June, July, August.

Grand Total

-K392,017.00

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Part: 11 Reserve administrations North Luangwa National Park is administered from Mpika town the head quarters of Bangweulu Area Management Unity were the office of the Area Warden is located. There is a distance of 110km from the Park. Bangweulu Area Management Area is responsible for two National Parks namely ; North Luangwa National Park and Lavushi Manda National Park. It is also responsible for managing four Game Management Areas namely; Bangweulu Game Management Area, Munyamadzi Game Management Area, West Musalangu Game Management Area and Chisomo Game Management Area. This therefore means that all these protected areas mentioned above have a centralized kind of administration that is conducted under the office of the Area Warden based in Mpika. The Warden is then assisted to ran the Area Management Unit by heads of departments such as the department of Operations headed by the Ranger Operations, Investigations and intelligence headed by the senior investigation Officer, Research department headed by the Ecologist, the Planning department headed by the Planning Officer, the department of Public Prosecutions headed by the Senior Prosecutions Officer and the Department of Extension Services headed by the Extension Officer. The Ranger operation deputizes the Area Warden and is responsible for supervising of all anti-poaching activities in the Area Management Unit. Ant-poaching activities in all the protected areas are supervised on a daily basis by the Park Rangers who are directly based in the Sector offices that are located in the Sectors around the Park in Camps. The senior investigations officer is assisted by investigations Officers based both in the Sectors camps and at the Area Management office. The Ecologist and the Planning Officer are based at the Area Management Office but are assisted by some Wildlife Police Officers who carry out some specific functions as may be delegated by the heads of departments in question. The senior prosecutions officer is assisted by prosecutions officers all based in Mpika were the Magistrate court is located. The extension Officer has no staff in the field meaning that he attends to all matters of community based natural resources management in the surrounding communities. This therefore means that all correspondences that come in to the Area Management Unit are addressed to the Area Warden, filed in the appropriate file by the registry officer and sent to the Warden’s office who will then direct it to the relevant officer who is supposed to attend to that matter in question. The office of the warden is also responsible for all correspondences going out of the Area Management. The registry at the Area warden’s office files all documents using alphabetical order and the use of title of correspondences. Weekly work schedules are completed on time and are filed in the registry. There is a committee established under the office of the ranger operations that is responsible for compiling monthly, quarterly and annual reports for the Area Management Unit with inputs from all the departments and all the sectors. The reports are submitted to the office of the Area Warden who does the editing and then submit the report to the office of the Regional Manager who in turn submit it to the office of the Director Conservation and then to the Director General who now compile a final report for the whole institution. Vehicle log books are completed by drivers who then submit them to the registry and the registry complete the monthly man days or man power returns sheets for every officer with inputs from heads of departments. These are then submitted to the Warden for endorsement and are then submitted to head office in Chilanga. The monthly man days or man power returns are used by the head office accounts pay roll section to prepare monthly salaries. The procurement system starts with each department filing in a procurement requisition book indicating what the department wishes to procure and then these are processed by stores department and submitted to the office of

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the Warden for approval and when such is approved then the procurement will take the books to accounts for payments for the items. The accounts will prepare payment for the items and the procurements will go ahead and procure the items which are then put in stores. The individual department will then fill in another document known as the store requisition requesting for the items to be taken out of stores for use by the department. All departments will have to indicate what they want procured in a meeting that is called to discus how the monthly allocation will be utilized. No payment will be made without the office of the Area Warden approving that for that expenditure. However, to ensure that there is transparency in the payments. Any payment will be initiated by one person, approved by head of department, passed or checked by a different person before it is finally approved by the Area Warden. All the financial documents are kept by accounts department and these are regularly audited by internal auditors from the head office. The assets and equipments registers are compiled and kept by accounts department. All meetings agendas are drawn and circulated by the secretary in the office of the Area Warden. The minutes of all meetings that take place both within the Area Management Unit and out side are filed in the registry office after verification by the The operations budgets are prepared by November and submitted to the head office. However, the AMU receives monthly allocations for operations but these are not spent in the North Luangwa National Park as the Park receives grants for operation from Frankfurt Zoological Society through the North Luangwa Conservation Project. This centralized kind of administration has both its own advantages and disadvantages. Some of the advantages and disadvantages of centralized administration are; Advantages

One person makes decision of the institution on different matters

There is no consistence and no confusions in the decisions made as one person is aware of what decision that were made on a matter in case of future references.

There is discipline among the officers in case of who makes decision on matters.

One person is held accountable for what ever happens on the decision made and the out come of such a decision.

The warden is aware of all the correspondences coming in the different departments and those going out of the different departments and what actions has been taken and what matters require attention make follow up with relevant department.

Disadvantages

There is too much power invested in one person and it is easy for that person to abuse his/her powers

The other officers will not be able to exercise their powers on matters that happen in the department

A lot of time and resources are wasted in management of the Park supervision in terms fuel and while waiting for a final decision to be made by an individual who could at time be out of office.

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It is easy that some correspondences may not get to the right department when there is a strong difference between the boss and the head of department.

It can be a source of conflict if the boss feels a sense of not being respected by the subordinates. Part: 12 Reserve financial administration Budgets As was mentioned in the introductory part of the report, the North Luangwa in managed by Zambia Wildlife Authority with the financial support from the Frankfurt Zoological Society of Germany through the North Luangwa Conservation Project, this therefore means that Zambia Wildlife Authority bears the cost for all salaries for Wildlife Officers working in the Park while the cost for the day to day operations of the Park are covered by the North Luangwa Conservation Project. These include funds for vehicles maintenance, operational fuels, patrol rations, uniforms and other operations. The pay roll for staff is prepared and kept at Zambia Wildlife Authority head quarters in Chilanga Lusaka hence could not be accessed from the Park. The funds from Frankfurt was administer by North Luangwa Conservation Project and was said to be fluctuating in amounts depending on the funds available at the head quarters in Germany for each particular year. Budget allocation However, the funds received by North Luangwa Conservation Project are allocated in the following ratios once received by the project. 45% went in to vehicle maintenance, fuels, 25% went to procurement of patrol rations and 30% went to staff uniforms and patrol equipments and salaries for the project staff such as drivers, workshop and other casual works. Preparations The budgets for the park operations are prepared by the technical Manager of the North Luangwa Conservation Project and are compiled in the month of November and submitted to Frankfurt for approval within the same month for the coming year. Sources of Revenues The only sources or funds for North Luangwa National Park are the Tourism contracts paid by the tour operators operating in the Park and the gate takings paid by the tourists entering in to the Park. These funds are collected and deposited in to the main account of Zambia Wildlife Account in Lusaka. The Area Management is then sent allocation for operation on monthly basis though at times two months can pass without receiving such an allocation. The other revenue is the grant provided by Frankfurt Zoological Society for the operations of North Luangwa Conservation Park. The funds generated are not directly retained for use in the park’s operation but rather the operations in the park completely depend on the funding from the North Luangwa Conservation Project which is grants from Frankfurt Zoological Society. This is not a healthy situation in case of pull out by the donor as the case has been in many other areas or projects where donors have pulled out suddenly.

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Auditing The funds for Zambia Wildlife Authority are first audited regularly by the internal auditors based at Chilanga before the office of the Auditor General from the Government of the Republic of Zambia comes to audit them. The funds received by North Luangwa Conservation Project are audited regularly by an internal auditor from Tanzania and the final auditing is done is done by auditors from Germany the head quarters of Frankfurt Zoological Society.

(Personnel organogram see appendix) Part: 13 Personnel administration Recruitment, selection, placement and affirmation Recruitment, selection, placement and affirmation of employees under Zambia Wildlife Authority is a mandate of the department of Human Resources and Administration which is entrusted with this king of responsibility. However, department will submit staff levels of its department indicating the current levels, the required levels and give a recommendation for either increasing the levels to the levels by employing or adjusting by reducing. In the current position of the reporter, he does not get involved in any of these activities although it would be very important to play a role and have a contribution as in the process as the position is involved in the daily supervision of the some of the employees. Stuff performance appraisal Being in the middle management, the reporter is involved in the performance appraisal of the staff in the general staff level within the Area Management Unit. These are either elevated to senior position of the general staff or sent for training to improve on their performance or are simply written to improve. Only when one fails completely to improve is that employee laid off but this does not often happen in Zambia Wildlife Authority. Training and development Zambia Wildlife Authority has a training policy. This is also the responsibility of the Human Resource department. However, limited funds tend to hinder the implementation of this policy. Individual employees look out for training opportunities that are in line with their duties from different colleges and Universities and then Zambia Wildlife Authority will look for sponsorship from its partners to sponsor that particular individual employee. Other employees sponsor themselves while Zambia Wildlife Authority will put these employee on paid leave to enable the employees attend the course. The reporter is not involved in the implementation of this training policy although it would be important to get involved as he is responsible for supervising those in the general staff level. Disciplinary procedure Zambia Wildlife Authority has laid down guidelines and procedures for handling grievances and disciplinary matters. This is to ensure that the employee’s rights are not infringed upon but that a transparent fair trail is held and a fair punishment is suctioned on the employee. Being in the middle management level, the reporter is involved in such process. The main purpose of the tribunals is not to lay off employees but to take corrective measure so that the employee is guided and refrain from committing such offences. In a normal case, first offenders are given verbal warning, followed by first written warning and a final written warning and if the employee does not change then he is relieved of his duties. However, in some cases the employee may be dismissed just with the first tribunal depending on the gravity of the offence as out lined in the code of conduct and grievance procedure manual.

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Employees are made aware of these guidelines before and during any tribunals that it was not the intention of the organization to punish any employee but to assist employees perform their duties within the confines of the laws of the organization and if found wanting, a corrective measure be taken to bring back that officer to the normal and expected conduct so as to instill discipline in the organization both while at work and away from work. HIV/AIDS Policy In 2006, Zambia Wildlife Authority adopted an HIV/AIDS policy for its employees. In the same year it sent some of its employees for training in peer education courses to conduct sensitizations in the HIV/AIDS. Others were also sent to train as counselors to counsel those that were already infected with HIV. The reporter is one of the peer educators of HIV/AIDS in the organization. The policy provides that no staff shall be laid off from employment on the grounds of suffering from HIV/AIDS but rather such an employee shall be assisted to acquire all medications they shall be placed on light duties. It also further provides that an individual shall not be denied employment because one has a record of being an HIV/AIDS patient and that all such records shall be treated as confidential matters between he supervising management staff and the affected staff unless the individual employee wishes to announce his/her status to the public. No employee shall be segregated by other employees and management on an account that he/she is and HIV/AIDS patient in the organization and that one shall be provided with every opportunity to rise to any position in the organization and advancing in terms of career academic as long as one shows ability to perform his/ her duties. Part: 14 Forms of communications Internal Communication This is communication that takes place within Zambia Wildlife Authority offices between departments. This communication either comes from the top management to the general staff on the lower levels and also from the lower levels to higher management level. Issues mostly discussed in this kind of communications include; staff meetings, notices to all members of staff, debriefing and briefing by supervisor about important events in the organizations and performance activities in the organizations. At times letters are written to individuals requesting them to take up certain assignments or to congratulate them for a job well done or even to warn staff for wrong things done and letters are meant to serve as a warning. In some instances it is used to communicate a promotion to a higher position and at times to demote some one for failure to perform to expectations. Some times internal communication takes place just to get some information or clarification from another department about certain information or matter while in some cases it is meant to give instructions to officers to do certain tasks. Channels mostly used in internal communication in Zambia Wildlife Authority include; letters, memos, staff meeting, monthly reports, briefing and debriefing, telephones, emails and both base and hand held VH radios. In some cases verbal communication is used in internal communications within offices and between officers. Internal communication ensures that all members of staff are kept informed about what is happening in an organization including changes that could have taken place in the organization and every worker knows what is expected of him to do every moment. Management is also kept informed about what progress is taking place in the entire department and what challenges are being faced by each department and helps to quickly make necessary decision to correct the situation as quickly as possible. This helps check out which policies and procedures are no longer working and that would require changing or replacing so that the organization can continue to achieve its objectives. This is very important especially in the

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modern world were adaptive managements is inevitable in a competitive market and were change is happening nearly every day in terms of technological advancement is concerned. External Communication This is communication that takes place between Zambia Wildlife Authority and out side organizations such as line ministries, cooperating partners, business houses that do business with the Authority, the local communities surrounding the protected areas. Mostly this kind of communication relates to matters of policy issues with regards conservation, procurement of services by the Authority and issues of problem animals and also the disbursement of funds by the Authority to the community, procurement of different services from other service providers within the country and out side the country. The authority reports to the line ministries about the progress it is making and the challenges it is facing so that the Government can resolve such challenges in time. The Authority also receives new instructions about any changes made by the Government on issues of Conservation. The community is informed about how much money had been generated from hunting in their areas during the previous year and when the funds would be disbursed to them so they can start planning as to how they would use the revenue in the communities. Communities also communicate to the Authority about any problem animals in the areas so that the Authority can take necessary measure to reduce the conflicts together with the communities. Most used channels of communication in external communication include; letters, emails, faxes and to some extent telephones though normally these are followed by written documents such as letters. Workshops and seminars are also used to impart new skills and information to officers from out side organizations. External communication keeps the line ministry, cooperating partners, donor organizations and the Government as a whole well informed about the operations of the Park and Zambia Wildlife Authority as a whole and helps to maintain transparence to all interested organizations. Areas that need improvement There are however short falls in terms of communication both internal and external. There are at time when information at high management levels is disseminated to the lower levels through emails. Not all staff work within offices and have access to emails to receive and see this information being circulated. The use of emails has lead to a lot of information loss especially information that is affecting certain officers at high levels who would not want others to hear about their short falls as such information is kept on lap tops or computers with pass words. At times information that is supposed to be sent to officers in the field is held for fear that they may react. At times information with regards monthly operations funds allocations are just known by few individuals close to the office of the head of department and those in accounts. This has lead to loss of use for the filling systems of the organization as most information is now kept on computers and lap tops. The communication bureaucracy on problem animals in the community especially on elephants needs to be revised as the current one is were authority to control an elephant threatening human life is only sort from the office of the Director General. This has caused a lot of deaths to local people while waiting for authority to kill such an animal is being acquired from the DG’s office thereby creating tension between the community and the officers in the field. The use of radios and printed letters and medias such as news papers to disseminate information would be very helpful unlike the use of emails to inform all the staff about any information that is sent from the head office such as monthly operations funds, how much has been disbursed to communities from safari hunting as this information can easily be retrieved from files in the registry office.

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Reports of internal audits of funds sent to AMUs (Area Management Unit) should be circulated to all members of staff so they know how the funds are being used. Monthly debriefing must be made a must and not just when the head of department wants to have it held. This will improve on the information flow and clear any issues that the general staff may have. Personal weakness and strengths The reporter has one weakness of not being a good fighter to achieve or finish a started activity especially when faced or confronted with opposition and resistance from those he feels just want to frustrate his ideas. He easily gives up and avoids confrontational situations, unhealthy competition and fighting for recognition by Management. On the other hand the reporter is a good leader with very good leadership skills, good communication skills and able to work, interact easily with people from very wide and different traditional, religious beliefs and back ground and able to work and accomplish assignments with minimal supervision within stipulated time frame. He learns and appreciates new innovations very quickly and adapt very quickly to new changes. 4.0 Conclusion The field attachment or summative exercise was conducted successively though with some challenges here and there especially when it came to collection of data from the Park. This was so as it required transport and other logistics to get to the park which is 110 km from the central office of administration where the reporter is located and operates from. However, it was an eye opener to so many issues that the reporter did not know about despite having been working in this area for more than ten (10) years now. It was interesting to learn how the park was being managed and some of the challenges and short falls that happen in the administration and operations of the park. The reporter also learned that there was a lot more difference between class material and practical field work. The most important lesson learned is that while one need to adapt to the prevailing situation but the use the principle guidelines of doing things is very important.

5.0 Recommendation From the lessons learnt and observation made during the four months of field attachment the reporter wishes to make the following recommendations to the park management and Zambia Wildlife Authority as a whole if the operations and administration in North Luangwa National Park are to improve and become effective.

The park administration needs to be within the Park for easy administration, cut off on fuel expenses to conduct supervisory visits and also to ensure that decisions are made just there and then.

Zambia Wildlife Authority needs to decentralize its operations such that each park must be managed by one Area Warden with his different heads of departments. This will make Area Warden and heads of departments concentrate on smaller areas of operations and will make them be more effective. Unlike the current situation where one Warden runs two National Parks and four surrounding Game Management Areas. (From Serenje to Nakonde boarder)

There must be transparent in the manner resources are distributed and utilized by management at the Area Management Unit by way of holding meetings to discus the use of funds each the operational funds is received unlike what is prevailing at the moment.

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The Park Management Plan urgently need to be revised and up dated to include certain information that is not available and also to remove information that has become of no use as at now. The GMP has no maps showing the soils of the Park and the list of large mammals is out dated as back as 2000 when it was made and yet several aerial surveys have been conducted in the recent past.

Information about the operations and the budgets (Annual Operations Plans) must be made available easily and accessible from the cooperating partners to all members of staff and any other persons interested so that they are can see what is being done in the Park. This will prevent suspicion, mistrust and rumor mongering but instead build confidence and trust among staff and stake holders. (of course the reporter is very mind full that certain information with regards security can not be made available to every body)

Officers coming back from school for field attachment needs to be given support, attention and must be treated as saving employees of the institution and not left to figure out things for them selves. If any thing, they need to be kept even much more busy by assigning them with extra duties.

6.0 Acknowledgement

The reporter wishes to acknowledge the following organizations and individuals for the support during the field attachment;

1. The team leader (Dr. Graham) and staff of CREAT project for the financial and material support that enabled the reporter to go to School and collect information from the Park during the field attachment.

2. Chief Technical Advisor,(Edy) and staff of North Luangwa Conservation Project for the financial loan and all the information about the Park and the operations of the Project in the Park.

3. Office of the Area Warden and all members of staff especially those that I had interviews with for the

information and support and encouragement during the attachment time.

4. Department of Forest in Mpika, for all the information about trees.

5. Individual Mukungule Community members who I had interviews with for the information provided.

6. All individuals and groups that I have not mentioned here but did provide information and support in one way or another that lead to the success of this report.

7. Last but not the least my family members for having provided me with the support and an enabling

atmosphere at home.

7.0 References

1. General Management Plan for North Luangwa National Park – 2000.

2. Zambia Wildlife Act – 1998

3. www.google earth.com

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8. Appendices 1. Map of Park location

2. Map of Park water system

3. Map of Park vegetation

4. Plant and grass species- Plant species – 1

-Plant species – 2 - Plant species – 3 -Grass species – 1 -Grass species – 2 - Grass species – 3

5. Personnel organogram

6. Park orthophoto

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Appendix 1 – Location of North Luangwa National Park

Zambia

National Parks of ZambiaNorth Luangwa National Park

Afr ic a

Zambia

#

##

Lusaka

100 0 100 200 Kilometers

N

#Mpika

35

Appendix 2 - Water system

Lubang

a

Lufila

Mufungus

Lubw

awa

ta

Kabale

Lutaba

Lukokwa

Mw

ale

s hi

Lufila

Mulondoshi

Luan

gwaLutwashi

Mw

aleshi

Chimbwe

Kankolo

Chimana

Fitu

Luangwa

Mwaleshi

Luangwa

NLNP boundary

Permanent riversSeasonal rivers

N

10 0 10 Kilometers

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Appendix 3 – Park Vegetation

N

NLN P boundary

NLNP Habitat

Escarpm ent m iombo w oodlands

Hi ll m iombo w oodlands

W ooded grass land m osaic

W oodland/wooded gras sland m osaic

W oodland m osaic

Com bretum -Term inalia w oodland

Mopane woodland and scrub woodland

Sec ondary grassland on a lluvium

Val ley r iv erine c om plex

Val ley r iv erine grass land

Mixed a lluv ia l th ick et

Com bretum th ic ket

10 0 10 Kilometers

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Appendix 4.1 - Vegetation Sample 1

Common name; Buffalo thorn, catch thorn

Botanic name; Ziziphus abyssinica

38

Appendix 4.2 - Vegetation Sample 2

Common name; Spiny monkey, Daringklapper

Botanic name; Strychnos spinosa

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Appendix 4.3 - Vegetation Sample 3

Common name; Silver cluster-leaf

Botanic name; Terminalia sericea

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Appendix 4.4 - Grass Sample 1

Common name; Guinea grass, Buffalo grass

Botanic; name; panicum maximum

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Appendix 4.5 - Grass sample 2

Common name; Stinkgrass, Candy grass, grey love grass

Botanic name; Eragrostis cilianensis

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Appendix 4.6 - Grass Sample 6

Common name; Bushveld signal grass, white buffalo grass

Botanic name; Urochloa mosambicensis

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Area Management Unit personnel Organogram

Appendix 5. Park Personnel organogram

Area Warden

1

Park Ranger

2

Senior Wildlife Police Officer

32

Wildlife Police Officer

162

Drivers/ 6

Typist

Senior Prosecutions officer

1

Prosecutions Officers

4

Senior Investigations Officer

1

Investigations Officers

11

Planning Officer

1

Ecologist

1

Extension Officer

1

Assisatnt Accountant

1

registry clark

1

Office messengers

3

stores/amorrer

1

Secretary

1

Drivers

3

Ranger operations

1

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Appendix 6 – Park Orthophoto