16/05/2026
Yesterday marked a significant milestone at the ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐ in ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐๐ค๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ซ๐ค, as together with our valued partners at the Department of National Parks & Wildlife, we proudly hosted the official launch of seven ๐๐๐ง๐๐ซ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ฌ (๐๐๐๐ฌ) for Zambiaโs protected areas, including the GMP for ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐๐ค๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ซ๐ค.
We were honoured to welcome our Guest of Honour, Hon. Rodney Malindi Sikumba, whose leadership and commitment have been instrumental in driving the development of these critical frameworks. More than policy documents, these GMPs represent a roadmap for the future of Zambiaโs protected landscapes, strengthening collaboration between government, private sector, and conservation stakeholders to safeguard biodiversity, empower communities, and support Zambiaโs growing tourism economy.
It was especially meaningful for the Wildlife Discovery Centre to host this landmark occasion. In a full-circle moment, Minister Sikumba officially opened the Centre in 2022, and yesterdayโs event marked his final official engagement under his current term as ๐๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐จ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฆ.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude for his support, passion, and dedication to conservation and tourism in Zambia, and wish him every success in the journey ahead.
With appreciation to the organisations and partners who contributed towards making this milestone possible, including:
WWF UK,
International Crane Foundation,
Panthera,
African Parks,
๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐ฏ๐๐ง๐๐ฒ (),
and all cooperating partners working to strengthen conservation in Zambia.