The Lusaka Magistrates Court has sentenced five people to five years imprisonment each with hard labour for illegal possession of a live ground pangolin. All five were initially charged with illegal possession of a protected species under the Zambia Wildlife Act. DNPW has described the successful prosecution as evidence that intelligence-led operations are working to disrupt wildlife trafficking networks. “Pangolins are protected under the Zambia Wildlife Act and are among the most heavily trafficked mammals globally due to demand for their scales and meat,” DNPW stated. The conviction comes as Government and conservation partners intensify efforts to combat wildlife trafficking and safeguard Zambia’s biodiversity for tourism and ecosystem health.