By FLAVIOR CHISHALA-
THE Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) has trained 33 wildlife Police officers to enhance the protection of the country’s biodiversity and wildlife estates.
The training included the introduction to small firearms and tactical planning for ZAWA’s Special Anti-Poaching Unit (SAPU) and the Intelligence and Investigations Unit (IIU).
ZAWA in collaboration with the Game Rangers International (GRI) on Friday last week concluded the seven-day training exercise for the game officers held in the Kafue National Park.
The officers trained were acquainted with modules of entering and securing buildings, subject handling, and casualty retrieval among other techniques.
Speaking during the pass-out parade, ZAWA head of Investigations Biemba Musole said it was important for officers to work hard and remain committed to establishing reliable contacts with communities in Game Management Areas and around the national parks towards anti-poaching activities.
“Do not wait until the animal has been killed to act. Even as we are working towards equipping you with the necessary resources, we are a conservation and military body, hence we must act before poaching occurs and not to just react to it. Establish reliable contacts with communities to assist you in anti-poaching exercising and tips” Mr Musole said.
He commended GRI for the collaborative efforts of facilitating the training adding that it was through such efforts wildlife estates were conserved.