As I sit by the camp fire overlooking the Luangwa river that
separates Zambia from Mozambique, I reflect on my last three weeks in the
country formerly known as Northern Rhodesia. Tomorrow I will cross the border
at Chipata and head into Malawi, waving a fond farewell to this little country
with its big charm. I certainly hope to be back someday. Perhaps however, it
will be in the cooler months next time around!
Zambia has its problems. It is one of the poorest countries
in the world with a life expectancy of just 49 years old. The deforestation due to its rapid population
increase and charcoal usage, as well as its over dependency on copper, is
stripping the country of its natural resources and leaving its people,
wildlife, and economy, exceptionally vulnerable. It is no wonder Zambia has
so much illegal wildlife trafficking. The Chinese are always at hand to buy more
than the odd pangolin or illegally poached elephant tusk, and who can blame the local
man who steals them to feed his starving children? The problem, as ever, is
global and it’s going to take a lot of time and hard work to put it right.
