Original Story Published by: Chris Phiri for Zambia Reports
Photo Source: ©Jeff Griffith/Unsplash
Ministry of Tourism Permanent Secretary Howard Sikwela has said the Hippo culling exercise in the Luangwa Valley will only take place at the start of the hunting season in May.
International wildlife charity, Born Free, has however warned that 1,250 of Africa’s increasingly rare hippopotamus, living in Zambia’s Luangwa Valley, face terror and death following the government’s decision to approve a controversial ‘cull’, due to begin in a few weeks’ time.
Rev Sikwela met representatives of various Community Resource Boards in Lusaka today to discuss concerns on the culling exercise.
National CRBs Association coordinator Isaac Banda, during the meeting, wondered if the hunting story was a rumor or a confirmed position of the Ministry of Tourism.
He raised concern that local communities in areas where the culling activity will take place have not been fully engaged to appreciate the benefits of such an undertaking.
Banda said communities were equal partners in the conservation process and therefore needed to constantly be briefed on what was happening in their areas.
Rev Sikwela, in response, said the ministry would conduct sensitization of communities in Luangwa Valley and stakeholders in the tourism sector for them to appreciate the benefits of the exercise.
“Everyone, especially those in Eastern Province where the activity will be undertaken, shall be given an opportunity to have a say, and ask questions where they are not sure concerning the culling activity. I am happy that many have an appreciation of the background and benefits of the culling activity,” said Rev Sikwela.
However, Born Free has told the government to halt the culling exercise.
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