CONSERVATION ACTION
Our Conservation Action addresses diverse threats to carnivores and their habitats through research-driven initiatives and collaborative conservation efforts. With agility and innovation, we adapt to rapidly changing ecosystems to combat emerging challenges and protect wildlife effectively.
ADDRESSING THREATS.
Effectively addressing threats to carnivores and ecosystems requires close alignment between science and conservation, but many conservation organizations lack the in-house capacity to bridge these gaps. Working closely with over two dozen partners and having multiple long-term field-based projects on the ground, ZCP has the foundation, resources, and relationships to enable a rapid and appropriate response to the array of dynamic and novel threats as they arise, and change, across our many focal landscapes. We are committed to work on a variety of conservation actions including:
Through targeted interventions and community engagement, we work tirelessly to combat illegal bushmeat and reduce the devastating impact of snaring on endangered carnivore populations. By employing intensive monitoring methods and effective anti-snaring strategies, we strive to protect carnivores and preserve their natural habitats for generations to come.
Combat illegal bushmeat
We assist with restoration efforts of wild dog and lion populations to areas where they were once locally extirpated. By collaborating closely with conservation organizations, we help facilitate the restoration of these iconic carnivores, contributing to the revitalization of ecosystems and the preservation of biodiversity.
Species Reintroduction
Illegal Bushmeat:
Combating the Illegal Bushmeat Trade & Anti-Snaring
One of the most important human impacts on many African ecosystems has been the burgeoning bushmeat trade and wire snaring, a popular method of meat poaching due to its low cost and effectiveness. Due to their non-selective nature, however, snares can inflict significant injuries and mortality on various species.
Snaring is prevalent across the five ecosystems we study, although it appears particularly pronounced in the Luangwa and Kafue ecosystems. Collaborating with Conservation South Luangwa in the Luangwa Valley and conducting research and monitoring snaring trends and patterns in the Greater Kafue and Liuwa Ecosystems, we work to combat snaring and reduce its impacts on large carnivores like African wild dogs and lions. Additionally, we rescue animals caught and injured in snares, contributing to the protection of wildlife populations.
12,233
Snare checks on over 1260
carnivores
in 2024
16
Large carnivores
de-snared
in 2024
4
field-based Zambian vets employed across 3 ecosystems
Population effects from
snared lion rescues
60+ lions de-snared
360+ cubs born
Wildlife Crime:
Combatting illegal trafficking of big cat skins and parts
In addition to the bushmeat and ivory crisis, there is a growing concern regarding the trade in carnivores, especially big cat skins and parts. Collaborating with DNPW, Wildlife Crime Prevention, and Conservation South Luangwa, we strive to combat this emerging trade. The full extent and severity of the trade remain largely unknown, including its impacts on carnivore populations. Given the wide-ranging and low-density nature of carnivore populations, the effects of illegal trade may not be evident until they become severe without intervention.
Advancing Genetic Solutions for Big Cat Conservation
Illegal trade in skins and parts of big cats is on the rise, yet patterns and trends remain unclear due to a lack of genetic tools and systematic sampling of seized samples. Additionally, there are no genetic baselines comparing seizures with source populations, hindering prosecution efforts. Moreover, the absence of genetic baselines for comparing seized samples with source populations poses a barrier to prosecution efforts.
01
Developing Genetic Tools and Obtaining Baseline Genetics
We're pioneering the creation of cutting-edge SNP chips for lions and leopards, while compiling baseline genetics data across lion populations in Africa.
Our Approach to Genetic Solutions
Expanding Collaborations
02
We're fostering partnerships with dozens of collaborators across Africa and beyond to develop and implement these genetic tools effectively.
Building Anti-Trafficking Capacity
03
We're focused on enhancing in-country and regional capacity for forensics and intelligence work using genetics, empowering authorities to combat wildlife trafficking more effectively.
Species Reintroduction:
Restoration efforts of wild dog and lion populations
Preserving existing free-ranging populations and maintaining connectivity between them is our top priority. However, in ecosystems severely depleted of wildlife, reintroducing species becomes necessary to restore ecological balance and biodiversity. In response to human pressures causing the decline or disappearance of certain carnivore species in African ecosystems, reintroductions offer a crucial conservation strategy when natural recolonization is not feasible. ZCP has actively supported reintroduction efforts, collaborating with African Parks Zambia to reintroduce lions into Liuwa Plain National Park, with further plans for reintroducing other species in Zambia.
Lion reintroduction in Liuwa Plain
The first lion cubs born in Liuwa in over a decade thanks to collaborative restoration efforts of APN, DNPW and ZCP.
Wild Dogs Reintroduced to Liuwa Plain
Wild dogs were successfully returned to the Greater Liuwa Ecosystem in 2022 as part of the Liuwa Plain Predator Management Plan.
Large Landscape Conservation
Preserving Connectivity Across Vast Landscapes
Zambia is characterized by large landscapes, and the viability of its ecosystems for wildlife and people is a result of their size and connectivity. Bordering eight countries and containing multiple Transfrontier Conservation Areas, and numerous unfenced, connected areas of over 50,000 km2 each, Zambia is the “Crossroads of Connectivity". Nevertheless, these landscapes are threatened by an array of human impacts. Utilizing an integrated, multi-disciplinary approach, including human encroachment, transfrontier conservation areas, transportation impacts, land-use planning and watershed conservation, we work collaboratively to help conserve Zambia’s large landscapes and connectivity.
Utilizing spatial and movement data from dispersing and resident
carnivores
We utilized data from collared wild dog, cheetah, lion and spotted hyena dispersals, as well as from resident groups, to identify corridors and areas of connectivity, assess the drivers of different carnivore movement patterns through human-impacted landscapes characterizing the remaining range in much of Africa and the globe.
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Trends and patterns of land-use change
Using cutting-edge methods we developed to address the
accuracy challenges inherent in assessing land-use change, we
have evaluated all of Zambia’s protected area networks and
provided accurate and current assessments of land conversion
rates and impacts to help guide and evaluate land-use planning
for community areas, corridors, and protected area networks.