Disease Challenges Concerning the Utilization of the Kafue Lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis) in Zambia1

The Kafue lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis) is a medium-sized, semi-aquatic antelope that is endemic to the Kafue Flats of Zambia. The Flats are a floodplain of about 6,000km (Sheppe 1985) and comprise Lochinvar National Park (NP) (410km), Blue Lagoon NP (420km), and the Kafue Flats game management area (5,175km) (Mwima 1995) (Fig. 1). The Kafue lechwe is the predominant wildlife species of the Kafue Flats (Sheppe 1985) and is confined to a relatively small area, particularly in and around Lochinvar and Blue Lagoon NPs. About 700 Kafue lechwes have been translocated from the Lochinvar NP to game ranches. The Kafue lechwe population on the Flats has steadily declined over the years from an estimated 80,000 in 1975 to 41,000 in 1982. Poaching, infectious diseases, and grazing pressures are the major factors responsible for the decline (Kapungwe 1993). Other contributing factors include traditional hunting practices, human presence in the area, and small-scale agricultural practices (Sheppe 1985).