Community game ranching boosting Zambia’s wildlife economy- Robinson By GRACE CHAILE

WILDLIFE Producers Association of Zambia (WPAZ) has declared community game ranching and conservancies a transformative solution for conservation and economic empowerment.
These initiatives not only boost the production of legal game meat, providing a sustainable alternative to poaching, but also generate income and instill a sense of environmental stewardship in local communities.
WPAZ chairperson, Ian Robinson has emphasised the association’s commitment, highlighting three years of capacity-building programmes in wildlife management for community members.
“We have conducted numerous training programmes in ranches such as Ntambu, Nyalugwe, and Mize. These combine theoretical knowledge with practical experiences, equipping communities to manage wildlife sustainably,” Mr Robinson said.
He called for robust legislation to ensure the success of these efforts, urging the government to address gaps in private wildlife ownership laws. “Converting depleted Game Management Areas into community game ranches could reduce poaching, increase income generation, and expand the legal game meat market,” Mr Robinson explained. Mr Dominic Chiinda, Director of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), highlighted the government’s 2018 policy that enabled the establishment of community game ranches.
“These initiatives empower communities to conserve wildlife while reaping economic benefits,” Mr Chiinda said, citing examples like the Mize and Ntambu ranches.
The Zambia Community Wildlife Economy workshop, hosted by WPAZ in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, DNPW, the European Union, and the Food and Agriculture Organization, brought together stakeholders to advance the country’s wildlife economy.
Supported by the Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme, this initiative sought to restore wildlife populations and create sustainable income streams for communities.
Griffin Shanungu, SWM Programme Coordinator, highlighted its impact, “By supporting the legal game meat value chain and establishing community game ranches, we’re helping local communities conserve wildlife while benefitting economically.”
FAO representative Suze-Percy Filippini praised the programme’s alignment with Sustainable Development Goals that it aimed to improve the conservation and sustainable use of wildlife in forest, savannah, and wetland ecosystems across 15 participating countries.