The South Luangwa National Park and surrounding game management areas face rapid encroachment from human settlement and agriculture. Human populations have more than doubled over the past 20 years and as a result, there is high demand for protein in the form of bushmeat as well as opportunistic and planned commercial hunting forays. Snaring is easy, generates high returns and presents a very low risk to the poacher.

With high densities of wildlife in the game management areas bordering the South Luangwa National Park, easy access to wire, a large-scale market for selling bushmeat and availability of cash in a developing tourist destination, South Luangwa faces enormous problems with snaring that is escalating to critical levels.

In 2013, Dr Mwamba Sichande joined the CSL and Zambian Carnivore Programme teams, making him the first wildlife veterinarian to be employed to work in the field by conservation NGOs in Zambia. Dr Sichande promptly mobilises veterinary care for snared or injured animals. Since 2014, more than 300 animals have been rescued.

Image credits: Nick Riddin/Remote Africa Safaris, Michael Davy/Sungani, Frederike Otten/ZCP, Henry Mwape/ZCP and Edward Selfe