Arturo Cuturi
AH member
- Joined
- Jun 12, 2016
- Messages
- 43
- Reaction score
- 95
- Location
- North-Western Zambia
- Media
- 65
- Hunted
- Zambia, South Africa
Hi Fellow Hunters
We took over the management of the Kasonso-Busanga GMA at the beginning of this year. It has been a busy year thus far, with a number of projects taking place in the concession. We have been privileged to experience everything that comes with managing an area in remote Africa. To be honest, we wouldn't change a thing!!!
As I'm sure many of you know, the Kasonso Busanga is characterised by massive floodplains, these flood every year, and this past year was no different. Access was restricted until the end of June, when we could finally cross a stretch of 25 kilometres, on one floodplain, that had previously been waterlogged. We started building our camp in early July and finished it in mid-September. We have also redone the airstrip and re-graded the existing hunting loops. We have also put in another 150 kilometres of hunting and anti-poaching loops, in areas that where previously unexplored. We plan on putting in another 400 kilometres of roads before the end of next season. So all in all rather busy.
We realised as soon as we got into the area that the poaching was out of control, the area is so vast and has only 4 scouts provided to protect it. With this in mind we decided to set up our own dedicated Anti-Poaching Unit. We have employed 18, well trained, armed scouts who will be dedicated to Kasonso full time. These scouts will patrol the area constantly, and will be supplemented by 2 DNPW patrols per month, so we hope to start seeing results soon. We also purchased a Robinson R44 helicopter and Bathawk Surveillance aircraft to assist our ground units. In spite of all the poaching we are still being presently surprised by the game populations in the area. Understandably some areas have been poached heavily, but thankfully we are still seeing good game in the majority of the GMA. We have had good sightings of Buffalo, Sable, Roan, Lion, Leopard and a Yellow Backed Duiker, which was a welcome surprise. The general Plainsgame numbers are also still good in most areas.
While the area still needs a lot of work, we are positive that we can return her to what she once was.
Thanks for your time, please don't hesitate with any questions you may have.
Early morning over the Busanga.....
We took over the management of the Kasonso-Busanga GMA at the beginning of this year. It has been a busy year thus far, with a number of projects taking place in the concession. We have been privileged to experience everything that comes with managing an area in remote Africa. To be honest, we wouldn't change a thing!!!
As I'm sure many of you know, the Kasonso Busanga is characterised by massive floodplains, these flood every year, and this past year was no different. Access was restricted until the end of June, when we could finally cross a stretch of 25 kilometres, on one floodplain, that had previously been waterlogged. We started building our camp in early July and finished it in mid-September. We have also redone the airstrip and re-graded the existing hunting loops. We have also put in another 150 kilometres of hunting and anti-poaching loops, in areas that where previously unexplored. We plan on putting in another 400 kilometres of roads before the end of next season. So all in all rather busy.
We realised as soon as we got into the area that the poaching was out of control, the area is so vast and has only 4 scouts provided to protect it. With this in mind we decided to set up our own dedicated Anti-Poaching Unit. We have employed 18, well trained, armed scouts who will be dedicated to Kasonso full time. These scouts will patrol the area constantly, and will be supplemented by 2 DNPW patrols per month, so we hope to start seeing results soon. We also purchased a Robinson R44 helicopter and Bathawk Surveillance aircraft to assist our ground units. In spite of all the poaching we are still being presently surprised by the game populations in the area. Understandably some areas have been poached heavily, but thankfully we are still seeing good game in the majority of the GMA. We have had good sightings of Buffalo, Sable, Roan, Lion, Leopard and a Yellow Backed Duiker, which was a welcome surprise. The general Plainsgame numbers are also still good in most areas.
While the area still needs a lot of work, we are positive that we can return her to what she once was.
Thanks for your time, please don't hesitate with any questions you may have.
Early morning over the Busanga.....
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