CONSERVATION

Muri Bwanji!

Firefly Lodge has been operating for 5 years in the conservation field on 1150Ha of previously agricultural land in the Big Concession area of Mumbwa District in Zambia. The property is fully fenced with 185cm tall Bonox game fencing, which is the most game friendly method of retaining and protecting the wildlife. Prior to commencement a complete ecological survey was undertaken on the property to understand the flora and fauna present in order to understand the potential viability of the area.

The results of the survey revealed that approx: 60% of the property comprised of pristine Miombo (Bemba Language) forest as demonstrated by the presence of Brachystegia and Julbernardia species. There is significant presence of Acacia thorn trees (Vachellia Tortilis) on the riparian edges of the 5 Dambo (water courses) which run through the property. Both of these trees are very significant for the sustenance of wildlife.

The area had been denuded of wildlife as a direct result of poaching activity. Wildlife was indiscriminately slaughtered and smoked in the immediate area and transported to Urban centres as ‘Bush Meat’. The remaining species numbered approximately 30-40 individual animals namely Sable (Hippotragus Niger), blue duiker (Philantomba monticola), reed buck (Redunca arundinum) and bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus). The goal therefore was to re-establish the eco system to reflect the potential carrying capacity suggested in the initial survey of 300 animals. Utilising the historical data and anecdotal information provided by Department of National Parks and Wildlife records, it was determined that several species were previously endemic in this area and could therefore sustain themselves on the property with no interventions such as supplementary feeding. It was further determined that, due to the effects of Human intervention, watercourses that previously existed had been destroyed due to the effects of Dams and this would need to be mitigated by the use of water holes in order to sustain animals within their preferred biomes. To date 11 waterholes have been created to mitigate the effects riparian degradation on existing water bodies and allow the spread of wildlife within specific areas of the property.

Once this was achieved, several species of wildlife returned to the property to occupy previously vacated biomes. These species include Honey Badgers (Mallivora capensis), Porcupines (Hystrix africaeaustralis), Jackals (Lupulella mesomelas), wild pigs (Potamochoerus larvatus) and even Pangolin (Manidae Phataginus). The decision was then made to introduce other indigenous species such as Puku (Kobus vardonii), Impala (Aepyceros melampus), Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus), Zebra (Equus quagga), Ostrich (Struthio camelus), Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) and Eland (Taurotragus oryx). All these species were introduced as their feeding patterns were reflected in the existing flora on the property. Special care was taken to ensure that existing animals such as bushbuck, Sable, Blue Duiker and Reedbuck were not adversely affected by the introduction of potentially competitors for feed. This was found not to be the case as there has been a significant increase in the populations of these species throughout the property.

Fundamental to the whole conservation operation has been the adoption of Holistic wildlife management as prescribed by Alan Savory, President and Founder of the Savory Institute. This is an eco based systems thinking approach to managing resources and calls for ZERO burning and closely monitored grazing to recreate conditions that previously occurred on the land prior to human intervention. The effect on the property has far exceeded any expectations. Early introduction of cattle to simulate the effect of mass bovine browsers such as buffalo has transformed the flora and therefore the food available for wildlife to the extent that the property can now sustain over 600 wild species as well as 250 cattle who provide intensive but measured clearance of both undergrowth and pioneer species of grass such as elephant grass (Miscanthus) which are inedible to all animal species. This allowed the development of Panicum species which provide crude protein of 12% in young grasses and 5.4% crude protein in mature grass, the staple diet of grazing species. A further observation of grazed areas was that the elephant grass, when crushed under the hooves of cattle, became a source of starch for termites to feed their young, leading to carbon sequestration on a vast scale. There were also marked increases in growth of panicum grasses in the areas grazed by the cattle due to the depositing of both dung and urine which provide fertilisers to aid growth. Whilst still on the theme of Carbon sequestration, all fallen trees, branches and leaves are left in place and rendered back into the soils by the same termites, allowing for plant development on a scale previously unobserved.

One further advantage of mass bovine grazing throughout the property has been the effective control of ticks on the wildlife species. Cattle are far more prone to attract ticks than wildlife species (Given that the wildlife are not domesticated) and a weekly dipping program of the cattle alleviates a large proportion of the tick burden. Wildlife born in the wild, from observation, appears to have a semi-immunity to ticks whilst the animal is healthy. Anecdotal evidence suggests that species introduced from semi domesticated game where dipping occurred are far more likely to succumb to tick borne diseases than those born wild.

In conclusion, habitat restoration has only be achieved through adoption of fundamental shifts in historical farming practices of ‘slash and burn’. Utilising Holistic Management practices can restore flora and fauna very quickly, allowing for the reintroduction of endemic species of animals within a full eco system. Natural biomes can be restored if the practices of restoration mirror those of nature and recreate historical ecosystems

The Power of Solar

We imagine that one of your reasons for visiting us is the opportunity to enjoy some amazing days living completely off-grid. We could not agree more! The benefits of spending some quality days in a pristine bush setting, surrounded by nothing but remote and scenic nature, are tremendous [and scientifically proven], including contributing to lower blood pressure, heart rate, stress levels and a betterment of mental and spiritual health. While we offer an incredible off-grid, full bush setting, part of this adventure is the opportunity to experience solar energy, the only kind of energy we have at Firefly Lodge Zambia. Indeed, no wires of any sort connect us with the outside world! We are truly, in the full sense of the phrase, "offgrid."

A few years ago, we decided that if we wanted electricity for ourselves and our guests, it would have to be through renewable, clean, sustainable, eco-friendly solar means. Solar has been a part of our lodge since its inception, and it has yet to disappoint. It has been a wonder that we enjoy year after year. Combining modern human technology with the power of the sun, in what experts consider the best geographical location for solar energy [Mumbwa district] has allowed us to offer a remote, bush setting to our guests along with some of the comforts of modern living. However, this bargain does not come without sacrifices for us all.

Our system, while a great one, cannot offer an unlimited, infinite amount of energy. We are at the mercy of our solar capacity, in terms of panels, and our battery bank, which is not exhaustive, as well as by the dynamics of the sun itself, with weather fluctuations, cloud dynamics, seasonal sun trajectories and the like. As such, we have a finite amount of energy. Our battery bank stores solar energy daily, but this storage begins to dwindle the minute the sun goes down for the day and use by guests commences. For this reason, we ask you to be judicious in your usage to guarantee electricity, at least in the form of light, for your night-time chalet needs. Charging of camera, tablet, laptop, phone batteries and the use of hair dryers for example - should be done before twilight, and only to a percentage needed to successfully survive the following day. We ask that lights not be in use when one is not in the room, and that charging of batteries be done intelligently. We ask that no charging of batteries take place on the few cloudy days we can on occasion have. Without bright, clear sun, our batteries cannot be filled