Reported by: The Agency Media.
Date: 7th May, 2025.
Lusaka, Zambia.
In a strategic shift that positions Zambia’s airports as the first line of defense against wildlife trafficking, the Ministry of Tourism—working in partnership with Zambia Airports Corporation Limited (ZACL) and Wildlife Crime Prevention (WCP) has reaffirmed its commitment to combatting the illicit trade through its flagship “Worth More Alive” campaign.
The campaign, launched in August 2022, has transformed the way Zambia addresses wildlife crime, especially within high risk aviation corridors. During a high level evaluation meeting held at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) stakeholders from government, conservation organizations, airlines and media came together to assess progress and chart the way forward.
Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Mr. Stewart Mukupa of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) emphasized the critical need for unified action in dismantling trafficking networks. “This campaign is about more than wildlife protection,” he stated. “It speaks to the future Zambia we envision one where conservation is a shared national value and airports are transformed from trafficking hotspots into symbols of vigilance and pride.”
Among the campaign’s notable achievements is the installation of striking, life size sculptures of endangered species at KKIA, designed to capture traveler attention and raise public consciousness. These visual symbols are supported by multilingual educational materials deployed across Zambia’s four international airports KKIA, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport, Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula Airport and Mfuwe Airport.
A dedicated wildlife crime hotline, staffed by DNPW officers at key airport locations, now offers the public a direct channel to report suspicious activity demonstrating Zambia’s growing capacity to detect and respond to trafficking threats in real time.
ZACL’s Acting Managing Director, Mr. Zephania Sholobela, echoed the campaign’s impact: “We are proud to make conservation part of every traveler’s journey. Our airports are more than transit points they are communication platforms and enforcement zones. Success depends on all of us remaining vigilant.”
Beyond enforcement, the campaign serves as a tribute to the conservation legacy of Zambia’s founding president, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda. Through public education and renewed youth engagement, including references to historic programs like the Chongololo Clubs, the initiative aims to cultivate a new generation of conservation advocates.
Looking ahead, the Ministry of Tourism expressed confidence in scaling the campaign’s reach, enhancing inter agency coordination and embedding wildlife protection deeper into national identity.
“Zambia’s elephants, pangolins, rhinos, and big cats are not just symbols of our natural beauty,” Mukupa concluded. “They are central to our identity, our economy and our future. They are truly worth more alive.”
The Agency.