North Luangwa National Park Explained

North Luangwa National Park
Iucn Category:	II
Location:	Mpika District, Muchinga Province, Zambia
Coords:	-12°N 32°W
Map:	Zambia
Relief:	1
Area Km2:	4,636
Established:	1972
Governing Body:	Zambia Wildlife Authority

North Luangwa National Park is a national park in Zambia,^[1] the northernmost of the three in the valley of the Luangwa River. Founded as a game reserve in 1938, it became a national park in 1972 and now covers 4,636 km².

Like the South Luangwa National Park, its eastern boundary is the Luangwa River, while it rises to cover a stretch of the Muchinga Escarpment to the west. The Mwaleshi River flows east–west through the Centre of the park, the area to its south being a strict wilderness zone. It has generally suffered from a lack of investment and interest compared to the much more popular South Luangwa National Park.

Biodiversity

Animals. The range of birds and mammals is similar to those found in South Luangwa National Park. They include Cookson's wildebeest, Crawshay's zebra and many antelopes and birds. Poaching has been a problem, with elephant numbers declining in the 1970s and 1980s. The struggle against poaching in the park was described by Delia and Mark Owens in their book The Eye of the Elephant.^[2] Populations have subsequently shown some recovery, suggesting some resolution of the problem.^[3] In 2003, black rhinos were re-introduced to the park.^[4] Since 2005, the park, together with South Luangwa National Park, has been considered a Lion Conservation Unit.^[5]

Fungi. A survey of the park's fungi was carried out in the rainy season of 1994-1995, focusing on riverine habitats and miombo woodlands. The resulting checklist recorded 126 species from 33 families. Almost all are larger basidiomycetes (brackets, mushrooms, puffballs and toadstools), with particular emphasis on ectomycorrhizal associates of miombo trees. The total number of fungal species in the park is likely to be much higher.^[6]

Plants. The range of plants is similar to those found in South Luangwa National Park.^[7]

Notes and References

1. http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/04/05/100405fa_fact_goldberg?currentPage=all "Did American conservationists in Africa go too far?"
2. Web site: The eye of the elephant : an epic adventure in the African wilderness Download (264 Pages Free) . 2022-05-25 . www.pdfdrive.com.
3. Web site: 2021-04-26 . North Luangwa National Park . 2023-10-05 . Frankfurt Zoological Society . en.
4. Groenendijk . Jessica . 2010-01-01 . The re-introduction of the black rhinoceros to North Luangwa National Park, Zambia .
5. IUCN Cat Specialist Group (2006). Conservation Strategy for the Lion Panthera leo in Eastern and Southern Africa. IUCN, Pretoria, South Africa.
6. Shah-Smith . D.A. . 1998 . A Preliminary Checklist of Macrofungi from the North Luangwa National Park, Zambia . Kirkia . 17 . 1 . 85–107 . 0451-9930.
7. Web site: Admin . Firsty . North Luangwa National Park . 2023-10-05 . Bradt Guides . en-GB.