Luangwa Flood Plains. 02/02/07; Eastern Province; 250,000 ha; 12°40'S 032°02'E. National Parks, Game Management Areas. Representative of the major wetland types of Southern Africa, the site is dominated by rivers that recharge many springs, freshwater lakes, lagoons, marshes and streams. There are also hot springs and brackish cold springs. The main habitats include evergreen miombo woodlands (with wild mango, African ebony, fig, and Natal mahogany) and the alluvial zone which sustains riverine vegetation. The plains host over 50 mammal species, including the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) and the critically endangered Black Rhino (Diceros bicornis). It is an important breeding ground for birds like Merops nubicoides, Merops bullockoides, and Hirundo paludicola. The GMAs are a source of income and protein for inhabitants who work for hunting concessions and fish. A general management plan for the South Luangwa NP and surrounding GMAs was devised by the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) for protecting and maintaining the physical and ecological conditions and promoting research. Community environmental education programmes exist for educating local communities, for example, the South Luangwa Management Unit and the Chipembele Wildlife Education Centre. Ramsar site no. 1660. Most recent RIS information: 2007.