British Army Trains Zambians In Anti-Poaching Tactics

British army officers have trained 60 members of the Zambian security services in anti-poaching tactics in a bid to clamp down on wildlife crime in the country.

Members of the Zambian Army, Air Force, National Service, Police and Wildlife Police underwent a three-week training course at the Chunga Wildlife Training School in the Kafue National Park. 

It is the second round of training conducted by the British army, with 120 Zambian officers trained so far. 

Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism and Arts Auxila Ponga said the training of an elite anti-poaching task force was vital in defending against the “ever growing and sophisticated syndicates across the country”. 

“This is not a job to be left to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife alone. Hence the selection and formulation of an elite task force that will be able to back-stop and supplement the efforts of the department,” she said.

The British High Commission’s Development Director, Steve Beel, said Zambia was the second country after Malawi to benefit from British army training in central Africa. 

He said the British Government stood by Zambia in combatting wildlife crime, which has been detrimental to the growth of tourism in Africa.

Anti-poaching task force national coordinator Colonel William Kakoma said that now the British army had done its part, there was a need for more local training to enhance officers’ anti-poaching skills. 

He said the team would need more financial support to operate effectively and pay for equipment such as transport and camping gear.