Greater Liuwa Team
Conducting work throughout the Greater Liuwa Ecosystem the Liuwa Project team is based out of Matamanene Camp in the southern portion of the park, working on an array of activities in this rapidly recovering ecosystem.
Daan Smit
Daan completed his degree in Wildlife Management in the Netherlands. As an undergraduate, he conducted a study focusing on the connectivity on the Eurasian Otter in Southwestern Ireland and the Netherlands. Daan joined Zambian Carnivore Programme in 2013 and has been part of the Liuwa Project since the beginning of the project. He has been the Project Manager since 2015 for the ZCP Liuwa research project. He has a great interest in the spatial dynamics of cheetah and spotted hyenas. Daan is now a grad student and will work with Dr. Scott Creel on clan dynamics and space use in Spotted hyenas.
Dr. Denis Siantumbu
Dr. Denis Siantumbu (BVM) was born in Livingstone, Zambia where he completed high school at Hilcrest National Technical High School. He completed his Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the University of Zambia in 2020 and is currently pursuing his Master of Science in Veterinary Infectious Diseases at the University of Zambia. Denis has a genuine love for wildlife and the natural environment. His interest in veterinary medicine and wildlife came from growing up in a GMA just near Victoria Falls, where he was exposed to wild animals in his backyard. He joined ZCP in 2023 at the Greater Liuwa Ecosystem Project site where he works in collaboration with the African Parks Network as a wildlife vet and with local communities as a lifestock vet. He aims to contribute towards the conservation of wildlife in Zambia through his work as a wildlife vet in Liuwa Plain NP. His motivation and dedication is inspiring to everyone on the team.
Lucky Chama
Lucky grew up with and around wildlife in the Kasika Conservancy in Namibia. As a young boy he experienced human wildlife conflicts, which stoked his interest in learning more about wild animals and pursuing a career in wildlife conservation. In 2016 Lucky enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in wildlife management programme at Copperbelt University. After he graduated, he started as an intern with ZCP in the Greater Kafue Ecosystem and ultimately joined the Liuwa team as part of the ZCP Conservation Biologist Training Programme. Since 2023 Lucky is fill the role as Senior Field Ecologist and and makes field plans and assists with coordinating field teams. Lucky also runs the Liuwa Conservation Club at Sibemi and Mishulundu School.
Fidelis Muchimba
Fidelis was born in Livingstone, the Southern province of Zambia and the home of the mighty Victoria Falls - one of the seven natural wonders of world!! He completed his high school education at David Livingstone High School and later obtained a Bachelor’s of Science Education degree from the University of Zambia majoring in Biology with a Geography minor. After University studies he worked as a teacher at private school within Lusaka and later on worked with Hilcrest Missions as an Assistant Pastor. He is now happy to have joined Zambian Carnivore Programme in the Liuwa National Park as a Camp Administration Coordinator. He enjoys working within the Park and put his mathematical and accounting skills to work updating Liuwa’s Excel workbooks and other documents on google sheets. In his current position he coordinates and supports team members in both of Liuwa’s field camps. Living in the national park brings him closer to all the animals that he enjoyed watching on the National Geographic Channel. Fidelis enjoys reading science books and waking up to the beautiful sounds of lions and whooping monkeys.
Salia Phiri
Salia was born and raised in the capital of Zambia, Lusaka. Growing up, Salia loved to watch nature documentaries which planted the seed that grew into her love and passion towards conservation. Salia earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from the Copperbelt University in 2020. After graduation, Salia joined the Greater Liuwa team in 2021 as a Field Ecologist trainee in our Women in Wildlife Conservation Training Programme. She is now Senior Field Ecologist and is responsible for the Camera Trapping field work and Conservation Club in the Kabompo Ecosystem where she works together with Alison. When she isn’t in the bush working with ZCP she loves listening to music and spending time with her family and friend.
Kings Chimungu
As an 18-year old young man, Kings joined ZCP in April 2016 as part of the ZCP Conservation Biologist Training Programme. In 2017, Kings began his studies in animal science at the Natural Resources Development College in Lusaka. During his school holidays, he always came back to work in the place he calls his home - Liuwa. Kings graduated in 2020, and can now be found back on his bike on the plains of Liuwa where he is working as a full time Field Ecologist. Kings’ passion for wildlife and fieldwork makes him a crucial member of the Liuwa team.
Peter Musenge
Peter is from Mfuwe and was a committed Conservation Club member while he was in secondary school. He joined ZCP in 2017 under the Conservation Biologist Training Programme. Peter is involved in all aspects of the organization’s work and loves developing ZCP’s education programme at the local school in Liuwa. Apart from his great interest in ecology, Peter has a passion for motor bike and vehicle mechanics. This combination makes him a valuable field worker.
Dean Banda
Dean grew up Mfuwe and joined ZCP as part of the Conservation Biologist Training Programme in 2017. He is a former Conservation Club member who completed his education at Mfuwe Day Secondary School. Dean’s past work experience involves working with a community-based organization to promote economic empowerment through conservation farming. His future interests include wildlife research and community outreach on issues affecting large carnivores. In 2021 Dean began his university studies at Copperbelt University for a Bachelors of Science in wildlife management. Through his studies he will acquire the set of skills he needs to become one of Zambia’s future conservation leader.
Alison Simpanzye
Alison is a graduate from The Copperbelt University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Management. After completion of his studies, Alison joined Bats Without Borders in partnership with BirdWatch Zambia for a year as a Conservation Intern. In May 2023, he joined ZCP’s West Lunga Project as a Junior Field Ecologist based at Jivundu Camp in West Lunga National Park. Through his work he has developed and perfected lots of skills including the safe use of equipment, camera trapping and how to use software like QGIS, Survey123, Google Earth Pro, Basecamp, and Digikam. The best parts of his job include working with a likeminded team that is so welcoming and willing to teach and train new staff. Plus he loves living in a tented house powered by solar energy a few meters away from the Kabompo River.
Given Kapawa
DNPW/AP Research Scout, Given Kapawa, joined the team in 2020. Since day one Given has been an irreplaceable member of the research team in Liuwa. Given learns quickly, Shows initiative and works incredibly hard. Since Given joined the ZCP team he has learnt how to track animals on a motor bike - which is not an easy task in Liuwa! He has gained a lot of computer skills and since 2023 Given is involved in training young interns joining the team as part of the Conservation Biologist Training Programme. Given was born and raised in Kalabo and completed his training as a scout in 2017.
Anna Kanyanga
Anna has been with the Greater Liuwa team since 2017. Before working with us she spent nine years cooking for missionaries from all over the world; learning to make recipes from countries such as Italy, Mexico, and Kenya. Anna is from the Western Province and spends her off days in Kalabo with her daughter who is studying agriculture. The ZCP team would not run smoothly without the support of Anna and her love for making a variety of foods, her baked goods never last more than a day!
Trust Siyoto
Trust was born and raised in Munde Village which is located in the middle of Liuwa Plain National Park. He enjoyed playing football growing up and now lives in the same village with his family. Trust joined the team in 2021 and is happy to be a part of ZCP. He enjoys the variety of work here in Liuwa and is invaluable to keeping the camp running smoothly - especially on the days we get multiple flat tires!
Maggie Kawina
The always happy and smiling person on the team is Maggie. Maggie grew up in Kalabo, here she completed Grade 12 at Kalabo Secondary School. Maggie joined the Liuwa team in 2022 to assist Anna with her cooking and taking care of the team and camp. Maggie and Anna form a terrific team together and their cooking skills don't go unnoticed by the team or visitors.
Sandra Martens
Sandra worked in various conservation related intern- and volunteer positions in Zambia during her Bachelor's degree in Wildlife Management before joining the ZCP Greater Liuwa team in February 2017. Sandra has a great interest in Liuwa's dominant predator: the Spotted hyena. She completed a Master of Science in conservation biology at the University of Lund in Sweden with Dr. Göran Spong and Dr. Scott Creel. She looked at 10 years of data on Spotted hyena demography of the Greater Liuwa population, and completed master’s degree with a 5/5 mark in June 2023.