By YVONNE CHATE –
THE Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) has shot dead a poacher in the Lochivar National Park following an exchange of gunfire with wildlife police officers during an anti-poaching operation.
His dog was also killed during the exchange of fire.
The unidentified man believed to be about 35 years, was shot around midnight on Monday, this week.
ZAWA public relations officers Sakabilo Kalembwe said Zambia Police officers from Monze visited the scene and had since taken his body to the district hospital mortuary.
A double barrel shotgun he was using had since been recovered with six rounds of ammunition. Four other used shotgun shells were picked from the scene.
In another development, a suspected poacher was apprehended in Chipata for being in possession of a leopard skin.
Joseph Bwalya, 34, of Chipushi Lukoso Village currently residing in Magazine Township apprehended at his house on Monday this week.
Mr Kalembwe said the ZAWA had also apprehended two other suspects in Mpongwe for possession of illegal game meat.
Royco Chimbukuma 48, of Chimbukuma Village, chief Ndubeni, Shadrick Nkulu 41, of Gondwe Village, chief Malembeka were arrested while transporting warthog meat weighing 48 kilogrammes, bushbuck meat weighing 12kgs, baboon meat weighing 20kgs, Puku meat weighing 24kgs, reedbuck meat weighing 32kgs and common duiker meat weighing 4kgs in a Toyota Ipsum registration Number ACM 2636.
