historic translocation of zebra and waterbuck to Kasungu National Park
In total 12 zebra and 14 waterbuck are being moved from Kuti Wildlife Ranch in Salima by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). "The relocation of the wildlife is to be celebrated. It means that Kasungu NP is finally a safe place for wildlife to roam free without the threat of poaching and speaks to our successes in restoring and safeguarding the park,” said Mike Labuschagne, IFAW Director of Law Enforcement. IFAW began work in 2015 to rebuild Kasungu National Park’s infrastructure, train an effective and efficient wildlife ranger force, and end rampant poaching of wildlife that saw elephant populations dip to about 50, from a historical high of over 1,000 in the 1970s. Populations of most other wildlife such as antelopes, zebra and other plains game were virtually extinct. "Five years ago only six zebra remained alive in the park – from around 500 individuals while the population of waterbuck, which used to number 300, were poached to local extinction by the 1990s," said Labuschagne. "Working with the DNPW and with the support of the community, we’ve managed to virtually stamp out poaching altogether at Kasungu and are seeing a steady rise in populations of elephant as well as regular sightings of other animals such as wild dog, leopard and even lions."