Poacher shot down in Lochinvar

The Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) has shot down a poacher in the Lochivar National Park following an exchange of gunfire with wildlife police officers during an anti-poaching operation.
Rochi Moonga of Bankaila Village believed to be aged between 30 and 35 was shot on around midnight on Monday November 16, 2015. Zambia Police officers from Monze visited the scene and have since taken his body to the district hospital mortuary.
A double barrel shotgun he was using has since been recovered with six rounds of ammunition. Four other used shotgun shells were picked on the scene. His dog was also killed during the exchange.In another development, ZAWA has apprehended another suspect in Chipata for possession of leopard skin.
Joseph Bwalya, 34, of Chipushi Lukoso village currently residing in Magazine Compound in Chipata was nabbed on Monday November 16, 2015 at his house.
ZAWA has also apprehended two other suspects in Mpongwe for possession of illegal game meat.Royco Chimbukuma 48, of Chimbukuma Village, chief Ndubeni, Shadrick Nkulu 41, of Gondwe Village, chief Malembeka were arrested while transporting warthog meat weighing 48kgs, bushbuck meat weighing 12kgs, baboon meat weighing 20kgs, Puku meat weighing 24kgs, reedbuck meat weighing 32kgs and common duiker meat weighing 4kgs in a Toyota Ipsum registration Number ACM 2636.
Meanwhile, ZAWA has seized two firearms and fined two suspects 800 kwacha each to illegal possession homemade shotguns and several rounds of ammunition.
Lackson Kapaipai, 65 and Benzalo Kapaipai 70, of the of Mulebi Village in chief Ndubeni in Mpongwe district were found in possession of the two shotguns, 20 by 12 bore empty cartridge and round ammunitions.The duo appeared in Kalulushi Magistrate court where they were fined and all firearms and ammunitions forfeited to state.
ZAWA has a duty to safeguard Zambia’s wildlife resources and ensure that wildlife crime is reduced and all wildlife crime offenders are brought to book.