GOVERNMENT has warned of stern action against poachers and other people engaged in illegal wildlife trade.
Tourism and Arts Deputy Minister Lawrence Evans said poachers and other people engaged in illegal wildlife trade would be dealt with severely to deter would-be offenders.
Mr Evans said the Government was concerned that illegal wildlife crimes such as poaching and illegal trade in ivory were posing serious threats to biodiversity, nature tourism and foreign investment.
He was speaking in Livingstone on Sunday afternoon at Livingstone Golf Club during the commemorations for the World Lions Day.
Mr Evans said the Government was particularly concerned at the high rate of poaching in the national parks, hence it was sending a very strong message against perpetuators of such crime.
“Government, through Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA), is very determined to address the plight of Zambian wildlife and the environment.
“We are especially concerned at the high rate of poaching in our national parks and illegal wildlife trade especially the escalating cross border poaching and trade,” Mr Evans said.
He said Zambia was working together with neighbouring countries in the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) region namely Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Angola and Namibia to conserve wildlife.