About The Programme

The Zambian Carnivore Programme (ZCP) is a Zambian-registered non-profit organization dedicated to conserving large carnivores and the ecosystems they reside in through a combination of conservation science, conservation actions, and a comprehensive education and capacity-building effort. We work in close collaboration with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) to accomplish the following goals:

  1. To safeguard large carnivores, their prey and habitat through research, conservation and education

  2. To utilize large carnivores and their prey as flagship species for large landscape conservation

  3. To provide information and recommendations to the DNPW and support efforts to conserve wildlife and ecosystems

  4. To increase knowledge and understanding of large carnivore and large herbivore dynamics and interrelationships and contribute to conservation of these species as a whole

  5. To build capacity with Zambian organizations and governmental agencies for conservation of large carnivores and herbivores, their ecological functions and habitats.

 
 

Our Approach

The ZCP works in close collaboration with DNPW to conserve large carnivores and the ecosystems they reside in through a four pronged approach of Conservation Science, Conservation Action, Conservation Leadership and Coexistence.  

The success of this work fundamentally rests on our diverse and effective collaborations with local, national and international partners, agencies, organizations and institutions that collectively provide the expertise, resources and energy to address the myriad conservation challenges facing Zambia and the region.

Conservation Science

Effective conservation relies on accurate and current data to guide and inform management actions. Consequently research and monitoring play a fundamental role in identifying, describing and evaluating dynamics, limiting factors and threats to species and ecosystems.




Conservation Leadership

Sustainability of conservation efforts rely heavily on the capacity of Zambian organizations and individuals to successfully research and manage carnivores and their habitats, as well as on local community support for carnivores and wildlife.

 

Conservation Action

Not surprisingly, the diversity of biological, environmental and human variables across ZCP study sites results in a variety of threats and limiting factors to carnivores and their habitats. While accurate and current research is needed to effectively inform conservation efforts, eminent threats identified by research require immediate attention.



Coexistence

Our Coexistence pillar focuses on reducing the costs for communities of living with wildlife, but also on increasing the benefits and appreciation of wildlife and conservation. Fundamental to this is human-carnivore conflict mitigation work, given that local communities typically bear the costs of successful wildlife conservation, but often do not enjoy the benefits. However, a core part of our work also focuses on increasing awareness and understanding of conservation benefits, and this work is conducted through numerous mediums including community theatre, radio shows, football tournaments, community game drives, and primary and secondary school conservation clubs.  

 
 

History

ZCP was first registered as a non-for-profit organisation in 1998. It was founded by Dr Kellie Leigh, and was initially named African Wild dog Conservation with work focussed on utilising the African wild dog as a flagship species for protected area conservation and included studies of competing predators, prey species, habitats and anthropogenic impacts. The platform the organisation was built on aimed to ensure wildlife conservation is informed, effective and sustainable and in order to achieve that activities include scientific research, education, capacity building and on the ground action. Starting in the Lower Zambezi National Park, Kellie later expanded the organisation’s activities into the Luangwa valley with support from WWF-Netherlands. After ten years she handed over carriage of the organisation to Dr Matthew Becker, appointed as CEO. As the organisation grew and expanded its activities over more areas and more species, it was renamed the Zambian Carnivore Program (ZCP). In collaboration with the DNPW and an array of partners, ZCP now works across Zambia in most of the country’s key ecosystems for large carnivores and their prey.

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