WWF ZAMBIA APPEALS FOR INSTALLATION OF SPEED HUMPS IN IMPORTANT ANIMAL CROSSING POINTS IN NATIONAL PARKS, SADDENED BY KILLING OF TWO RHINOS

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Zambia is deeply saddened by the news that we have lost two white rhinos in Mosi Oa Tunya National Park, Livingstone, this occurring just a week before Zambia joins the rest of the world in commemorating the World Wildlife Day (WWD) which falls on the 3rd of March. Information gathered indicates that in the night of Tuesday 25th to Wednesday 26th of February, a speeding truck hit an adult female and a male juvenile who were on the road inside Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and sustained severe injuries. Despite efforts made by park management staff of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) and with assistance from the Victoria Falls Wildlife trust of Zimbabwe, the two rhinos did not survive the road accident.

READ MORE ABOUT ROOTS OF AFRICA’S ACTIONS ON THIS MATTER.

The rhinoceros is under immense pressure worldwide due to poaching for its horn and Zambia is fighting hard to protect its rhino populations. Rhino populations in Zambia were completely extirpated in the 90s, but the country has set up an ambitious reintroduction plan with a growing population of black rhino in North Luangwa National Park and an out-of-range white rhino population in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. In 2019, WWF supported the development and launch of the National Rhino Strategy with the objective for Zambia to be recognized as a rhino recovery state with potential to become an important rhino range state.

The loss of these 2 rhinoceroses is therefore a very disappointing development, one that could have been prevented if cautious driving was observed and speed limits were respected. Unfortunately, this is not a stand-alone event of road kills inside national parks, since other important wildlife species, such as Elephants, Lion cubs and Wild Dogs, have been found victims of road accidents as well.

WWF Zambia stands with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife and support them in the appeal of having speed humps in important animal crossing points in national parks and to increase enforcement of speed control measures. We would further urge the public to adhere to speed limits in protected areas and be aware and respectful of crossing wildlife on the roads.

Issued by:

Isabel Mukelabai| Government Relations, Strategic Partnerships and Communications Manager| WWF-Zambia Country Office| email: imukelabai@wwfzam.org

For any media queries, please contact:

The communication team on: +260 970518413

Photo Credit: taken by Martin Harvey- WWF

More on the story from MSN News & News Diggers.