Government has expressed concern with the increased reports of human-wildlife conflict as it affects the lives of people and food security.
Speaking at a press briefing held at the Ministry this afternoon, Minister of Tourism Rodney Sikumba said human wildlife conflicts are more prevalent in communities that live near protected areas and game management areas.
He said currently the number of human lives that have been lost due to human wildlife animal conflict stands at ten.
Hon. Sikumba said human wildlife has continued to be a major challenge affecting the wildlife conservation efforts.
He attributed increased cases of human wildlife conflict to population growth, bushfires poor agriculture practices and significant reduction of prey in game management areas.
The Minister disclosed that in the second quarter Zambia recorded 4,206 human wildlife conflict reports.
The Minister of Tourism cited Munchinga, Eastern, Lower Zambezi, Southern, Western and Kafue region as areas most of the reported human wildlife incidences.
He said that most of the human wildlife animal conflict were caused by elephant, buffalo, hippopotamus, crocodile and bushpig.
The Livingstone Lawmaker further disclosed that a total of 53 problematic animals were controlled (killed) as part of conservation measures as they became a threat to human life.
And commenting on the increased reports of human wildlife conflicts in Livingstone, Mr Sikumba explained that in the dry season African elephants herds often move out of the park at night in search of food in the surrounding areas.
He said due to lack of a buffer zone animals end up straying in communities between Livingstone and Kazungula.
Mr Sikumba stressed that issues of animal wildlife conflict in Livingstone have been prevalent over the years.
Meanwhile Mr Sikumba has announced that the Ministry of Tourism through the Department of National Parks and Wildlife will next month in October beef up delopment of officers in hot spot regions so as to reduce human wildlife conflict.
He named the hot spot regions were more reports of human wildlife conflict have reported as Munchinga, Eastern, Lower Zambezi, Southern, Western and Kafue region.
On poaching, the Minister of Tourism said cases of animal poaching across the country have reduced.
Mr Sikumba attributed the reeducation in animal poaching to increased enforcement and patrols by the wildlife officers.
