Conservation Lower Zambezi (CLZ) was established in 1995 as a non-governmental organisation which specialises in promoting the protection of fauna and flora in the Lower Zambezi National Park and in the surrounding Game Management Areas.

Starting with just one employee CLZ initially provided logistical support to NPWS wildlife scouts. They began to expand in 1999 after the Danish Ambassador, Mr Mads Sandau, decided to help fund the organisation. Since 1995 CLZ has become one of Africa's foremost conservation organisations.

They now assist ZAWA (Zambia Wildlife Authority), who are responsible for the management and administration of the National Parks and Game Management Areas in Zambia. Assisting with transport (road and aerial support), patrol rations, radio communications, specialized training, tranquilizing and treating wild animals injured by poachers, CLZ has helped to save numerous animals - in particular wild dog, lion and elephant.

In 2002 the Royal Danish Embassy offered to support a new Environmental Education Centre, which was officially opened in 2005. They hope that by educating people they will make more environmentally-responsible decisions in the future. Their strategy is to sensitize the local people and stimulate enough interest in the community to see the long-term benefits of conservation. According to their latest figures, over 250 teachers, pupils and community members have visited the centre. Their Land-cruiser which is mounted with TV and video has reached almost 6000 pupils in schools.

Expert Africa has recently started to make donations to Conservation Lower Zambezi to help them continue their good work. Our most recent purchase (April 2011) was for five new GPS receivers. This is in addition to the four previously donated in 2009. These devices will be used in the field by wildlife protection patrol scouts who CLZ support in conjunction with the Zambian Wildlife Authority.

Each patrol team of five men spends a ten-day period (on rotation) on patrol or carrying out snare sweeps in the bush in the Lower Zambezi National Park or surrounding Game Management Areas. As a result of using these GPS devices in conjunction with GPS mini-track sticks the overall effectiveness of patrols will be significantly increased by enabling CLZ to plot the specific co-ordinates of patrol in relation to located poacher camps, tracks and carcasses.

Expert Africa is supporting the CLZ's work on an on-going basis; our aim is to help them regularly and consistently with donations for things that they really need.

Photos on the right are taken by Francois d'Elbee.

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