Revelations by Centre for Environment Justice that there are between 4,000 and 6,000 active poachers in Kafue National Park alone is very distressing not only to wildlife defenders but all Zambians. What is so heart-breaking is the fact that wildlife poaching is not a new phenomenon in Zambia. It dates back to the 1950s, from which time to date over 90 percent of the country's elephants have been killed. Estimates by experts indicate that in the 1980s, elephant numbers dropped from a quarter of a million to just 18,000. On the other hand, Zambia's rhino population, which once stood at 12,000, was declared near-extinct in 1998. Most wild animals are found along three mighty rivers - Kafue, Luangwa and Zambezi - which are defining features of the country and offer unique aquatic habitats for a wide range of animals. On the river banks and floodplains, hippos, elephants and antelopes, such as the lechwe and sitatunga, roam. These remote wilderness areas set the stage for mesmerising animal encounters. Zambia has the same level of wildlife diversity as celebrated safari destinations such as South Africa, and Kenya and Tanzania in East Africa. Unfortunately, these habitats for flora and fauna are targets by unscrupulous people who ply in wild games for survival amid so many alternative livelihoods. Illegal hunting for bush meat and habitat loss stemming from indiscriminate deforestation for farming and charcoal production are noteworthy threats to Zambia's biodiversity.