The Story and pictures of Big Boy
an eyewitness account of the killing of a legendary elephant.
( photos may be disturbing)

Conservation Lower Zambezi* is dedicated to the protection of elephants and other wildlife in the Lower Zambezi National Park of Zambia. The area contains some of the most abundant and diverse African wildlife on the continent.

Unfortunately, this richness in biodiversity has attracted the increasing attentions of commercial poachers.

Poaching is a serious problem in Africa. Illegal international demand for ivory, rhino horn, skins and meat has created a huge black market. Unfortunately many African Countries are powerless to do anything about it.

Struggling with weak economies and growing populations, many governments find themselves unable to divert scarce resources for antipoaching efforts. The result has been a disaster for African wildlife. In the mid nineteen fifties, for example, the rhino population alone in Africa numbered over a million. Today, fewer than 12,000 of these animals are still alive in all of Africa. In Zambia the relentless killing of rhino has been disastrous; the last rhino in the entire Country was killed a few years ago in South Luangwa National Park.

Motivated by the same greed for quick profits that led to the rhino's extinction in Zambia, poachers are now turning their guns on elephants and other wildlife. Elephant herds in Zambia estimated at 67,000 animals in the early seventies, have now been reduced to less than 6,000, a loss of more than 60,000 elephants in the last twenty years. Although national and international pressure has led to a decrease in poaching, the remaining herds are still very much at risk. If the destruction of elephant continues at present rates, the herds will be exterminated within the next ten years.

Conservation Lower Zambezi is committed to the prevention of this catastrophic scenario by providing needed support to the National Parks and Wildlife Service of Zambia.

The immediate and urgent goal of the CLZ is to actively assist the National Parks and Wildlife Service of Zambia to strengthen antipoaching efforts until National Park management plans become sustainable. Zambian National Park rangers are dedicated men and women on the front lines of preservation and conservation of wildlife.

However, to be successful N.P.W.S. staff need adequate training, equipment and supplies. Currently, antipoaching patrols are ill-equipped for effective deterrence. Vehicles, communication equipment, rations, uniforms and fundamental support are either lacking or nonexistent. CLZ, with help from local and international donations can provide National Park antipoaching patrols with the commodities and services that they need to eliminate poaching in the Lower Zambezi Valley.

With the compassion and the help of aware people throughout the world, poaching can be stopped. Elephants must not walk the tragic path of the extinct rhino. The senseless slaughter must be stopped. Now.

A CLZ anti-poaching project was established in 1996 after the loss of more than fifty elephant including a legendary bull elephant (named Big Boy by local guides) that was brutally gunned down and mutilated for his ivory by poachers in December 1996. Read an account of this sad story to understand the nature of the problem facing the area.

 

"CREATURES OF THE WILD.... In a world older and more complete than ours they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings, they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendor and travail of the earth."

 

How you Can Help

 Membership

Would you like to help protect endangered wildlife? Would you like to help stop the slaughter of Zambia's elephants and other wildlife but don't know how?

Conservation Lower Zambezi is currently expanding their membership base. Please become a voting member of Conservation Lower Zambezi and join a group of people that play a vital role in wildlife conservation.

Members receive benefits and discounts at various businesses, campgrounds and lodges and a Bi-annual report. Of course, members also receive the satisfaction of supporting critical and urgent conservation efforts in Zambia. Help us protect elephants and other wildlife NOW. Please see the different kinds of membership available below and send us any contribution you can.

Only with your help we can stop the senseless killing.

Membership Application

DONATIONS

Please help, however you are able. Financial or equipment donations can be made to:

CONSERVATION LOWER ZAMBEZI

* Conservation Lower Zambezi is a nongovernmental, nonprofit organization registered in 1993 under the societies act of Zambia.