ZM024
Wonder Gorge


IBA Justification

The site was identified as internationally important for bird conservation in 2005 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting ('triggering') IBA criteria.

Populations meeting IBA criteria ('trigger species') at the site:
Species Red List Season (year/s of estimate) Size IBA criteria
Pale-billed Hornbill Lophoceros pallidirostris LC resident (-) present A3
Racquet-tailed Roller Coracias spatulatus LC resident (-) present A3
Taita Falcon Falco fasciinucha VU - (-) present A1
Souza's Shrike Lanius souzae LC resident (-) present A3
Miombo Tit Melaniparus griseiventris LC resident (-) present A3
Rufous-bellied Tit Melaniparus rufiventris LC resident (-) present A3
Red-capped Crombec Sylvietta ruficapilla LC resident (-) present A3
Kurrichane Thrush Turdus libonyana LC resident (-) present A3
Miombo Scrub-robin Tychaedon barbata LC resident (-) present A3
Arnot's Chat Myrmecocichla arnotti LC resident (-) present A3
Cinnyris manoensis NR - (-) present A3
Black-eared Seedeater Crithagra mennelli LC resident (-) present A3

IBA Conservation

Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 2005. The most recent assessment (2013) is shown below.

IBA conservation assessment
Year of assessment State Pressure Response
2013 not assessed high low
Whole site assessed? State assessed by Accuracy of information
yes unset unknown

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat Timing Scope Severity Result
Energy production and mining happe­ning now most of popul­ation/area (50–90%) slow decline (1–10% over 3 gener­ations) high
Agricultural expansion and intensification happe­ning now most of popul­ation/area (50–90%) slow decline (1–10% over 3 gener­ations) high
Pollution happe­ning now some of popul­ation/area (10–49%) slow decline (1–10% over 3 gener­ations) medium

Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Designation Planning Action Result
Some of area covered (10–49%) A management plan exists, but it is out of date or not compre­hensive Very little or no conservation action taking place low

IBA Protection

Year Protected Area Designation (management category) % coverage of IBA
1964 Bell Point-Lunsemfwa Wonder Gorge Natural Monument (III) -
1971 Luano Game Management Area (VI) 2

Habitats

Habitat % of IBA Habitat detail
Caves and Subterranean Habitats (non-aquatic) major (>10)
Rocky areas (eg. inland cliffs, mountain peaks) major (>10) Inselbergs, kopjes & inland cliffs

Land use

Land use % of IBA
nature conservation and research major (>10)
tourism/recreation minor (<10)


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Wonder Gorge (Zambia). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/wonder-gorge-iba-zambia on 23/12/2024.