CHISHIMBA BWALYA
Mpika
MINISTER of Tourism Rodney Sikumba has warned people of Muchinga Province against threatening the existence of the endangered shoebill stork.
There is a common belief among fishermen in parts of Bangweulu Wetlands that sighting the bird is a bad omen on fishing.
Speaking last Sunday during a tour of Bangweulu Wetlands, where the rare bird is commonly found, Mr Sikumba said that harming the shoebill could have serious consequences for conservation efforts and the economy.
The shoebill and the black lechwe are two iconic species in Bangweulu Wetlands, and attract a good number of tourists.
“The shoebill is one of Zambia’s most iconic bird species, attracting tourists from around the world,” Mr Sikumba said.
“If we continue to harm or threaten its existence, we risk losing a valuable part of our natural heritage and the economic benefits it brings to local communities.”
The shoebill is listed as vulnerable by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to habitat destruction and poaching.
According to a statement issued by Ministry of Tourism principal public relations officer Nelly Banda, the minister further urged local communities to embrace conservation programmes that promote sustainable tourism and provide economic opportunities through eco-friendly initiatives.
“We must see the shoebill not as a threat but as an asset,” Mr Sikumba said. “By protecting this bird, we are also securing jobs and development opportunities for our people right here in the province.”
Authorities have vowed to strengthen patrols and awareness campaigns to prevent poaching and ensure that the shoebill bird continues to thrive in its natural habitat.
Government’s warning comes amid growing concerns of some people associating the bird with witchcraft in Muchinga Province.
Since 2022, the shoebill, named for its prominent bill, has been a subject of deliberate conservation efforts by African Parks through the Captive Rearing Programme.
In mid-July that year, two birds, Gus and Thomas, were the first to be released into the wild following a successful nursing programme targeting chicks.
Other initiatives like rewarding local people who save and hand in the bird’s eggs which they find in the wild have also been implemented.
