summary The aim of the Honorary Rangers Rapid Action Team Zambia (a.k.a. RATZ) is to provide support for an overstretched wildlife authority. Working alongside National Parks staff, RATZ supply back-up in the fight against elephant poaching and illegal snaring and fishing in and around South Luangwa National Park, Zambia.

Trade plus Aid donated £15,000 to the Environmental Investigation Agency to enable RATZ to set up a second base further inside the Park, in order to expand their activities. This donation funded a second vehicle and a boat for access in the wet season, which is the time when most of the serious poaching and snaring occurs. RATZ were able to increase their number of staff and improve training methods, which in turn is of benefit to the wider community. In an area with limited employment opportunities, RATZ only employs local people and by doing so supports a much greater body of people.

In 2003, RATZ were instrumental in arresting the poacher whose statement led to the Singapore seizure of 6.5 tonnes of ivory. And crucially, RATZ will provide EIA with information on what is happening on the ground in Zambia, as EIA anticipates a poaching increase with the news that three Southern African countries (South Africa, Botswana and Namibia) have been given the go-ahead to sell 60 tonnes of their ivory stockpiles in 2004.

Project Update Reports

• April 2004
• December 2004

To view a short film on project (July 2005) visit http://www.eia-international.org/multimedia.shtml.

For further information on EIA visit www.eia-international.org.

This project is accredited to Rouse & Co and Willoughby & Partners without whose pro bono advice there would not have been the funds available to finance this project.