iarjhssIARJHSSIARJHSS2708-6267https://doi.org/10.47310/iarjhss.2021.v02i02.020A Historic Perspective of the Plight of the Endemic Kafue Lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis) on the Kafue Flats, Zambia, for the Period 1931-2015: Was the year 2005 a Turning Point in the Conservation of the Endemic Species or Extirpation? Where do we go from here?ChansaChombaGeorgeKampambaHarryChabwelaMituloSilengoSchool of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, Mulungushi University, P.O. Box 80415, Kabwe, Zambia.Copperbelt University, Kitwe, ZambiaDepartment of Biological Sciences, University of ZambiaDepartment of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, Mulungushi University, ZambiaKafue lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis), is an endemic sub-species of semi aquatic antelope that is restricted to the Kafue Flats which covers an area approximately 6, 035 km2 in extent, encompassing Blue lagoon and Lochinvar National Parks and Kafue Flats Game Management Area. The first comprehensive survey that was done in 1931 estimated 250,000 lechwe. the last count done in 1975 before the construction of the Itezhi-tezhi dam estimated the population at 80,774. That figure was 32% lower than the 1931 estimate, representing a 68% loss. After commissioning the Itezhi-tezhi dam in 1979, the first count was done in 1981 that recorded 45,867 which was 18% of the 1931 population or representing a 81% loss. The mean population size before the construction of the dam was 120,139 which dropped by 60% to 48,144 after the dam. In 2005 which we considered to be a turning point the population had further declined to 38,448 which was 15% of the 1931 estimate representing 85% decline. By 2015 the population had continued to decline to 28, 660 which is 11% and 88% loss of the 1931 estimate. By 2005 there was an annual loss of 2,464 or 7 lechwes/day of which only one lechwe was attributed to legal hunting and the remaining six to poaching and other factors. The year 2005 inevitably marked a turning point in the protection of the species as it clearly signifies a precipitous population decline depicting high levels of environmental resistance and or failure to regulate in terms of population dynamics. A comprehensive strategy more rigorous including but not restricted to captive breeding or time bound lease to the private sector to breed and return may be required. Routine law-enforcement operations in terms of boots on the ground and patrols, reducing hunting quotas or outright ban of hunting seem not to have worked in favour of the species. The impact of competition for forage with cattle will require detailed monitoring developing an improved foraging strategy for cattle including the making of hay and silage so that cattle herds are reduced on the Flats despite the political sensitivity of the matter may have to be experimented in order to save the lechwe. Increasing cattle populations and human encroachment on lechwe habitat is a factor that should not be ignored.As the populations decline into hundreds, the stochastic problems including inbreeding may set in. At this point it may too late to save the species.