Bangweulu Wetlands, Zambia

Fauna & Flora

The Bangweulu Wetland ecosystem represents vast stretches of seasonally flooded grasslands and permanent swamps with huge virgin miombo woodlands. The swamp areas are dominated with extensive stands of papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) and Phragmites reeds.

A large mammal census of the area conducted by African Parks in 2011 revealed healthy populations of black lechwe (Kobus leche smithemani - 75,703), sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekei - 278), southern reedbuck (Redunca arundinum - 146), tsessebe (Damaliscus lunatus - 404) and oribi (Ourebia ourebi - 230). Other species known to occur in the area, yet with census counts too low to reveal accurate population estimates, include hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius), Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus), spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta) and side-striped jackal (Canis adustus).

Large mammal populations have been much reduced as a result of heavy poaching pressure and currently small remnant populations of buffalo (Syncerus caffer), zebra (Equus quagga), elephant (Loxodonta africana), roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus), Lichtenstein's hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus lichtensteinii) and sable antelope (Hippotragus niger), as well as the smaller game species still remain in the area. Several species, such as lion (Panthera leo), cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) and black rhino (Diceros bicornis), have been wiped out altogether.

Bangweulu is a globally important habitat for waterbirds with remarkable avian diversity. The Bangweulu Wetlands are classified as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by Birdlife International and part of it has been proclaimed a RAMSAR site. The diversity and sheer numbers of birds are staggering.

The bird species for which Bangweulu is arguably most famous for is the elusive shoebill (Balaeniceps rex) of which very few currently remain in the swamps. Although a 2006 study estimated there to be 1,296 shoebills remaining, based on the amount of suitable habitat, only 33 birds were counted during the 2011 aerial census, resulting in a population estimate of about 131 individuals.

Bangweulu also holds over 10% of the world population of wattled crane (Grus carunculatus) with the 2011 survey data suggesting a population of approximately 689 birds. Of the smaller species, the highly specialised papyrus yellow warbler (Chloropeta gracilirostris) is considered vulnerable due to its globally restricted and fragmented distribution. Collared pratincoles (Glareola pratincola), blue-throated bee-eaters (Merops viridis) and several species of flufftails (Sarothrura spp) – a uniquely African group of secretive rails – also find refuge in Bangweulu.

Eighty-three species of fish representing 13 taxonomic families have been recorded in the area. An intensive fisheries study is currently underway investigating fish and fishing activities in the swamps. During the course of this investigation, researcher Carl Huchzermeyer logged a new distribution record for the endangered killifish Nothobranchius rosenstocki.