African countries should devise own ways of conserving nature-Scott.

Vice President Guy Scott has said African countries should devise their own ways of conserving nature, particularly preserving elephants from being hunted illegally.

 

Dr. Scott said although preserving elephants and other animals was a demanding task, the concerned countries should employ more efforts to protect the largest mammal in the world from being hunted.

 

He was speaking to Zambian journalists in Gaborone today just before leaving for Zambia after attending a three day African Elephant summit in Botswana.

 

The Vice President said the African Elephant summit was extraordinary because the consumers of products for which elephants are usually hunted, were present.

 

He said conserving elephants was key for the future generations.

 

And Dr. Scott this morning paid a courtesy call on Botswana President Seretse Khama Ian Khama at the Office of the President.

 

The two held closed door talks for over 30 minutes.

 

The Vice President was accompanied by Zambia’s High Commissioner to Botswana, Robert Mataka.

 

Meanwhile, Minister of Tourism and Art, Sylvia Masebo said Zambia has learnt lessons from the summit which the country will implement to increase the population of elephants in the country.

 

Ms. Masebo, who attended the summit, said the Zambian government attached great importance to the conservation of natural resources and wildlife.

 

She said for this reason, President Michael Sata delegated Dr. Scott to attend the summit.

 

Ms Masebo noted that government’s commitment has been exhibited through the ever increasing funding to the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) since the Patriotic Front got into office two years ago.

 

This year alone, government disbursed K79 million to ZAWA for its diverse operations.