Blue Lagoon - Zambia's Blue Lagoon National Park officially reopened on May 9 after years of dormancy that resulted in this once-pristine wetland national park becoming a haven for poachers. Situated only 115km west of Lusaka and very close to Kafue National Park, Blue Lagoon National Park is being revived through a partnership involving WWF's Partners for Wetlands Programme, Real Africa Safaris (a private tourism investor), and the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA). The President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Levy Mwanawasa, was among the first visitors to the newly reopened park, spending a night at the park’s newly constructed Nakenda Lodge.

With improved park infrastructure such as access roads, accommodation and an airstrip, Blue Lagoon National Park can once again attract tourists to its magnificent variety of birdlife, which includes the endangered wattled crane, open billed storks, African fish eagles, and abundant waterfowl. Other species include the Kafue lechwe, zebra, buffalo, pythons, and monitor lizards. The Zambia Wildlife Authority will be expected to fully patrol the park against poaching. WWF is hopeful that renewed tourism activity in and around the park will create a lasting opportunity for the conservation of wetland biodiversity synonymous with the area.