Ivory Traffickers in Zambia Jailed 5 Years

A magistrate’s court in Zambia has sentenced five men to five years in jail after they were arrested by the Zambia Wildlife Authority’s (ZAWA’s) Intelligence and Investigations Unit (IIU) in February.

The men were in possession of 210 kilograms of ivory when they tried to sell the ivory to an undercover IIU operative. They were subsequently arrested and the ivory confiscated. On March 30, the Livingstone Magistrate’s Court handed down a sentence of five years in jail to each of the traffickers.

ZAWA’s investigations unit is working alongside Zambia-based Game Rangers International (GRI). Supported by the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), GRI is helping to strengthen ZAWA’s anti-trafficking operations.

“This is a good custodial sentence which serves as a message to wildlife criminals that the illicit trade in wildlife products will not be tolerated in Zambia,” says Sport Beattie, CEO of Game Rangers International. “We are committed to supporting ZAWA in tackling this dangerous threat to the country’s ecosystems, economy and security.”

AWF is supporting the anti-poaching and anti-trafficking work of GRI and other partners across the continent through its Urgent Response Fund.

“Zambia’s wildlife authority is to be applauded for their success, which demonstrates what can be accomplished through smart partnership and by applying the right amount of resources and expertise to a problem,” said Dr. Philip Muruthi, African Wildlife Foundation’s senior director of conservation science. “It is extremely gratifying to see Zambia’s resolve to combat the illegal wildlife trade result in these successful convictions and punitive sentences.”

Zambia and neighboring countries are home to Africa’s largest elephant population, and the southern African country serves as a source and transit country for illegal ivory. AWF and GRI are supporting ZAWA’s efforts to disrupt the flow of illegal ivory transiting through the country and combat poaching in and around Kafue National Park, the country’s largest protected area.