Conservation Lower Zambezi (CLZ) is a grassroots NGO based in the Lower Zambezi, working alongside the local wildlife authority – the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), to protect the incredible wildlife of the area.
While the fast-paced nature of wildlife conservation caught up to CLZ in July of 2019 when the organization sadly lost one of its tracking and detection dogs, we were fortunate to receive multiple grants dedicated to the continuity of the CLZ/DNPW K9 Unit, allowing the purchase of two new dogs, the recruitment of a kennel keeper and a third handler, the procurement of new specialized equipment and the expansion of the kennels at the CLZ Basecamp.
On 11th March our two new working dogs will arrive in Lusaka and after months of organization and preparations, we can finally welcome our new chosen stars.
Invictus K9, the organization brought in to do the selection and training course, went to the Netherlands to test and assess multiple dogs and they have made their final decision…Meet Kalo and Amor, two beautiful pure bred Malinois.
Kalo and Amor will be trained as detection dogs to find ivory, rhino horn, bush meat, ammunition, firearms, cat skins and pangolins, which will help us immensely in our fight against poaching and the illegal wildlife trade.
Over the last few months we have been working hard at CLZ to extend our kennels and make sure the dogs will be safe and comfortable in their new accommodation. We are still doing final touches now, but everything will be ready for them when they arrive at their new home in the Lower Zambezi.
CLZ can’t express the level of excitement for the two new dogs and the continuation of the specialized and strong forced K9 Unit. This K9 Expansion is funded by IUCN Save Our Species, co-funded by the European Union, Lion Recovery Fund, the International Elephant Foundation and the Berry Family Trust and Adrian Scripps. Thank you to these donors for their rapid response in allowing CLZ to continue the fight against wildlife crime. Without donors such as these, CLZ would not be able to have this impact on the conservation of the incredible Lower Zambezi.
This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union through IUCN Save Our Species. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Conservation Lower Zambezi and do not necessarily reflect the views of IUCN or the European Union.