During Angola’s long-running Civil War, many parts of the country had minefields put in place. One of these is an area that is going to be a part of the massive Kaza ( Kalahari Zambezi) Transfrontier Park. For Angola to be able to benefit from this massive reserve it needs to be safe for tourists to visit, and this requires the removal of landmines. Unfortunately over the last 10 years international financial support for this important work has declined by 80%, which makes the target is finishing the work by 2025 and extremely optimistic idea.
This park, however, is highly important as within 10 years of the 41 year war finishing elephants were seen returning to their old migration routes from Namibia and Botswana, roots that if the Kaza Transfrontier Park is fully realised will be completely protected.
As well as minefields making it impossible to bring in tourists, it also leaves a virtually blank canvas for poachers as they are largely the only people for whom the rewards of being there are high enough to warrant the risk. In countries bordering this region of Angola, wildlife populations are at times coming into conflict with local people – the ability for these populations to migrate out of the area at times where there is not enough food or water to be had would largely eliminate these conflicts in a natural way. Given that the prime reason for the Kalahari Zambezi Park being created is to allow natural controls for all the animals contained within this area is vital if the full park is to reach its potential.
