Conservation South Luangwa (CSL)
We are helping to protect Zambia's wildlife.
We believe that no one organization can solve this challenge alone.
"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."(African Wisdom)
Zambia was one of the great elephant countries, with a population of 160 000; today there are only about 22 000 left. The South Luangwa Nature Reserve is one of the last refuges of the pachyderms and is located in eastern Zambia, along the Luangwa River.
CSL was founded in 2003 and has since become the largest conservation organization in the area. The nonprofit organization is doing great work in fighting poaching and mitigating human-animal conflict.
The rapidly growing population around the national park is putting tremendous pressure on wildlife. Increasing demand for bushmeat and the associated problem of wire or metal snare traps, trade in wildlife products, poaching of big game as well as increasing elephant poaching for ivory threaten the South Luangwa ecosystem.
To effectively combat poaching, particularly on elephants, CSL deploys 58 well-trained scouts who work tirelessly to track down and apprehend poachers. However, the sheer size of the area to be monitored makes this almost impossible to accomplish through ground surveillance alone. Regular aerial surveillance greatly assists the work of the rangers. Poachers can be located and apprehended more easily. In addition, aerial patrols provide valuable data on animal carcasses, bushmeat drying racks, fires, illegal logging, etc.
Another important and irreplaceable element in the fight against poaching is formed by the K9 dog squadron. Currently, the dogs are trained to detect ivory, firearms and ammunition, pangolins, leopard skins, mukula wood, and certain types of bushmeat.
Poaching with wire or metal snares remains a massive threat, and not just to elephants, causing a slow, agonizing death for the peaceful gray giants. Setting the traps is easy, generates high returns, and poses very little risk to the poacher. CSL tries to counteract this with regular anti-snaring patrols to remove snares from the bush. Captured, injured animals are anesthetized and treated by CSL's veterinary team. Over 10 000 snares have been removed from the bush by CSL-supported scouts, and since 2005, more than 160 elephants, 25 lions, 20 hyenas, 16 wild dogs, 10 giraffes, 2 zebras, and 8 buffalo have been treated and rescued.
The lack of a land use plan in the wildlife management areas around the national park means that uncontrolled farms and infrastructure are springing up everywhere. As a result, human-elephant conflicts and incidents involving predators are becoming more frequent in the communities, often resulting in enormous losses. CSL seeks to mitigate or avert the resulting human-animal conflicts through a variety of methods. This includes scattering chili, erecting fences to protect against elephants, conflict-free test zones, watchtowers, and elephant-proof grain bins.
Using local radio to educate communities living in close proximity to wildlife is another initiative. Measured against the gigantic HWC (human wildlife conflict)problem, the success in reducing it is relatively effective.
Beauty from Brutality
Mulberry Mongoose is a very special jewelry store, and is located directly on an old famous elephant trail in Mfuwe (South Luangwa/Zambia). The artisans and designers employed here draw inspiration from the surrounding nature and wildlife to create extraordinary pieces of jewelry.
Each piece contains parts of snare traps or consists mainly of them, like the bracelet on the left. The snare material is collected in the bush by the anti-poaching unit of the Conservation South Luangwa and brought to Mulberry Mongoose. The material is recycled and made into unique jewelry pieces - Beauty from Brutality!
Poaching is unfortunately a sad reality in this area. The animals that are caught with snare traps die a long cruel death. Victims include giraffes, lions, leopards as well as elephants. Mulberry Mongoose donates a percentage of the proceeds from this collection to the Snare Patrols, providing over $110,000 since 2013. The jewelry sales support the game wardens and equally provide work and further education for the young women!
Future for Elephants now offers limited edition jewelry from the wire snare collection exclusively in Germany! The bracelet with the ring clasp can be ordered for 40 euros plus shipping here! Please write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if interested. Proceeds less purchase costs go 100 % to the rangers of Conservation South Luangwa.
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PHOTOSTRECTS
RELATED LINKS
Update October 2021 CSL
Update from Zambia from our partner CSL