Interpretation of the Zambian Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) Rules and Procedures

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Interpretation of the Zambian Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) Rules and Procedures

Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA)
The Zambia Wildlife Authority's vision is "To achieve excellence in wildlife estate management by developing innovative approaches and partnerships that encompass best practice, and complete transparency and integrity."

Their mission statement is "To contribute to the preservation of Zambia’s Natural heritage, ecosystem and biological diversity for present and future generations through the careful conservation of Zambia’s wildlife.”

Furthermore, ZAWA's primary objectives are:
1. To improve the quality of the life among communities in wildlife estates and maintenance
of sustainable biodiversity in national parks and game management areas;
2. To reverse the decline in wildlife resources;
3. To improve wildlife resource management to a level which will secure sustainable flow of
benefits from the resources; and
4. To considerably improve the wildlife resource base investment in co-operation with the
private sector and local communities.

Safari hunting in Zambia is dictated by fair chase regulations and Zambian professional hunters are governed by their own code of conduct a sort of mixture of ethics and common sense designed specifically to promote the ultimate safari hunting experience. Failure to adhere to these simple laws can result in the termination of a safari and confiscation of trophies. For example pre-baiting, shooting from a vehicle, shooting at night is strictly prohibited.

In these rules and procedures, unless the context otherwise requires:

- “Classical or deluxe safari” has the meaning ascribed to it by the
subsisting Statutory Instrument on licenses and fees.

- “Mini safari” has the meaning ascribed to it by the subsisting Statutory
Instrument on licenses and fees.

- “Prime Hunting Block” means an area designated as such in relation to
safari hunting.

- “Secondary Hunting Block” means an area designated as such in
relation to safari hunting.

- “Specialized safari” has the meaning ascribed to it by the subsisting
Statutory Instrument on licenses and fees.

1. Before the beginning of every hunting season, every Safari Hunting
Company granted hunting rights within any Hunting Block is required to
obtain from the Director, a schedule of animal quotas in respect of such
Hunting Block.

2. At the beginning of every hunting season, every Safari Hunting
Company shall submit at least two names of company representatives
who shall be responsible for the procurement of licenses and permits.
Nobody else shall be permitted to obtain licenses and permits for the
company other than those whose names shall have been submitted to
the Director.

3. Any Foreign client booked by a Safari Hunting Company to hunt in
Zambia is required to be authorized by the Director. The authority to
hunt shall be sought by a representative of a Safari Hunting Company
specifically assigned to procure licenses on behalf of clients as follows:
a. A Safari Hunting Company representative shall complete the
Safari Hunting First Order Form and present it to the
Computer Operator in the Licensing Office.
b. The Computer Operator shall enter the details from the Safari
Hunting First Order Form into the computer. After entry of the
details, the animal quota shall be automatically adjusted by the
computer. Therefore an up-dated computer print-out shall be
obtained.
c. The computer print-out shall be passed on to the Licensing
Officer who shall draft the game licenses.
d. The draft game licenses and computer print-out shall be passed
to the Cashier to whom payment shall be made by the Safari
Hunting Company representative.
e. Original Game License(s) and the computer print-out shall be
given to the Safari Hunting Company representative.

4. The client shall be required to carry both the original game license(s),
GMA permit(s) and computer print-out. On arrival at the safari hunting
camp, the client is required to surrender the print-out to the
Professional Hunter, who in turn is required to give the document to the
ZAWA officer in attendance at the safari hunting camp.

5. At the conclusion of the hunt, the client and the Professional Hunter
must complete and sign the ZAWA 14 and must be countersigned by
the ZAWA officer. This is a mandatory requirement. In areas where
management units have been established form ZAWA 14 must be
inspected by the designated Wildlife Police Officer in-charge of the
hunting block or in his absence by the designated Wildlife Police
Officer.

6. An export permit will not be issued until form ZAWA 14 is correctly
completed, signed and received for reconciling with the Safari License
and Supplementary Safari License(s), and the prescribed animal quota
at Chilanga. In case of CITES Appendix I animals, the CITES Export
Permit shall only be issued on prior presentation of a CITES Import
Permit from the receiving country.

7. Safari Companies and their Professional Hunters are advised that the
supply of false, misleading or incomplete information on form ZAWA 14
is an offense and may result in the Director General’s refusal to issue
an export permit. It is mandatory that Companies and Professional
Hunters charge their clients within the limits of the daily rates quoted in
their brochures.

8. The Director General shall authorize issuance of an export permit for
Donated Hunts to foreign clients, provided that the application in writing
is received and approved by him prior to the hunt.

9. A maximum of two hunting camps are permitted for every
Prime/Secondary Hunting Block. The two camp sites shall not be less
than 20 kilometers apart, sighting of which should have the approval
of the Director General. A maximum of Two Safari License holders
may occupy a camp during any One hunting period.

10. No Professional Hunter is authorized to conduct hunts on behalf of any
other Safari Hunting Company other than the Safari Hunting Company
for which his license is endorsed except with the written permission of
the Director.

11. Any person applying for the renewal of his Professional Hunter’s
License, shall be required to furnish to the Director General, a copy of
his tax clearance for the previous year before his Professional Hunter’s
License is issued to him. This will be in addition to other requirements
as may be prescribed by the Director General.

12. In Bangweulu GMA no hunting shall be conducted in that part of
Chikuni area encompassing the Chimbwe Plain and part of the North
margins of the Mandamata Woodland, Northward to Lukulu River.

13. A Safari Hunting Company / Professional Hunter / Client, shall be
required to comply with any other regulations which may be provided
for under the Zambia Wildlife Authority Act and it’s subsidiary
legislation.

14. Every Safari Hunting Company shall be required to present a Value
Added Tax Certificate prior to procurement of any licenses and permits
at the beginning of each and every hunting season.

15. No one else may hunt on a Safari License except the individual whose
name appears on that Licensee. Failure to adhere to this rule will result
in penalties against the Professional Hunter.

16. A ZAWA officer is required to be in attendance for all hunts.

17. All wires used to set baits, and all baits must be removed when the
client’s hunt is completed.