Protecting Wildlife from the Sky

Conservation partners Zambian Carnivore Programme (ZCP) and Conservation South Luangwa (CSL) rely on aerial resources to protect the vast South Luangwa landscape. These organizations use the helicopter and airplane for several functions: conduct research and monitor movement of collared animals, anti-poaching patrol, resupply and support for field scouts, movement of veterinary teams, and more. 

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In 2023, the CSL team logged 121 hours of helicopter and 165 hours of aerial patrol, covering tens of thousands of kilometres. The aircraft also supported partner Zambian Carnivore Programme’s (ZCP) research and monitoring, including 9,576 snare checks and 15 carnivores de-snared in 2023.

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Keeping this program running requires not only funds for the helicopter and airplanes themselves, but also for pilots to operate them. That's why Dazzle Africa is raising $25,500 to train a second pilot for these partners. Pilot Gareth Broekhuizen shares more about why this need is so essential: 

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“Our aviation program, which is so generously sponsored by Dazzle, is sometimes hamstrung by having only one pilot. When I am on leave, sick or attending to other duties at CSL, it means that the CSL and ZCP aviation programs come to a halt.

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Added to this, CSL and ZCP will soon be getting an additional aircraft thanks to the Balaban Family, which will allow each organization the use of an aircraft 7 days a week and without being hindered by the operations of the other. This plane will be operated at a lower cost, helping to make the aerial program cheaper per hour and allowing CSL and ZCP staff such as vets to move more freely by air without impacting routine operations in the park.

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We would like to address these challenges and plan for expansion by training an additional pilot from within CSL. We have selected Jeremiah Bwalya Daka who is currently our SMART data assistant and has proven himself more than capable in this role. As a younger (and fitter!) member of the CSL team, he brings a lot of enthusiasm, energy and spirit to the organization, both in and out of the office.

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Since he started, Jeremiah has been bugging me with flight requests on a weekly basis and so it was no surprise that when the internal advert for pilot training went out, that Jeremiah's application was in within hours.”

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Jeremiah will complete pilot training and then will work with Gareth for one year to prepare for the most demanding types of flying; namely ZCP tracking of wild dogs in the heat of October! Jeremiah will be the first Zambian pilot employed by CSL and ZCP. With $25,500, we can cover all the medicals, flight and theoretical training, exams and flight tests to get Jeremiah his Private Pilot's License in Zambia. It will cover transport to and from the flight school accommodation and sustenance for the duration. 

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Jeremiah and Gareth are working every day to protect wildlife in the irreplaceable Luangwa Valley.

 

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