The Department of National Parks and Wildlife says it has recorded a decline in wildlife crimes in the first half of 2020.

Director in the department Brighton Kumchedwa told YFM that between January and June this year, cases of trafficking of ivory and other endangered wildlife species have gone down by over 50 percent.

Kumchedwa said 296 people have been arrested so far compared to 369 people during the same period last year, representing 18% decline.

“One of the key reasons why these people go into our protected areas is for illegal hunting or fishing so comparing from this period last year we have seen a decline of 7 percent,” he said.

Kumchedwa attributed the success to strengthening of patrols in all the parks and wildlife reserves and the travel restrictions imposed in the wake of Covid-19.