ZAWA takes over Mundawanga Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) has with immediate effect taken over operations of Mundawanga Zoo and Botanical Gardens.

ZAWA Communications and Public Relations Officer, Mwila Muliyunda, said this follows the termination of the Tourism Concession Agreement (TCA) by Mundawanga Trust that has been running the botanical gardens since 1998.

Ms Muliyunda disclosed the development to ZANIS in a press statement in Lusaka Sept 30th.

She said ZAWA has also assured workers at Mundawanga that the authority has already put measures in place to incorporate all of them into the ZAWA workforce.

Ms Muliyunda noted that Mundawanga has a total of 28 employees of which five are on renewable two-year-contracts.

Ms Muliyunda further said ZAWA recently conducted an inspection of the facility in accordance with the provisions of the TCA.

She said ZAWA also took an inventory of the animal sanctuary and the botanical gardens in order to assess the viability of the facility as a concern.

Ms Muliyunda also disclosed that ZAWA made recommendations to government through the Ministry of Tourism and Arts to take over operations of the facility.