A Kudu for Zambia Wildlife Authority

Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) has recorded the first birth of a black rhino calf in the North Luangwa National Park. Two years ago the black rhino species was re-introduction in the park following its demise from poaching. The rhino was literally extinct!

The re-introduction of the black rhino in the park was a joint operation between the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) and the Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) through the North Luangwa Conservative Project (NLCP).

ZAWA public relations officer Maureen Mwape said the birth of a black rhino calf was the first in the last 20 years, since poaching made the rhinos extinct like the Dodo in the 1980s. Rhinos have been pursued to their death due to the international demands for rhino horns for ornamental dagger handles and medicine. Both are just a fraud and greed of man.

ZAWA director general Hapenga Kabeta enthused that, "the birth of the calf in Zambia is a signal that the Authority's efforts to re-introduce the animals in the park are finally bearing fruits." He said this programme to increase the breeding population of the endangered large mammals is on going.

The North Luangwa Conservation Project, the ZAWA and the FSZ, have been working together for the past two decades to improve security in order to re-introduce rhinos.

The baby rhino and its parents are protected within the electrified fence of the park's rhino sanctuary. ZAWA has now the best anti-poaching field forces in the North Luangwa National Park. The North Luangwa is a lot more wild than the southern neighbour the South Luangwa National Park, Zambia’s premier game reserve.