Maputo National Park is arguably one of Peace Parks Foundation’s most successful conservation stories to date. It is one of southern Mozambique’s flagship national parks, where one stands the chance of seeing two of the world’s largest mammals – elephants and whales – all in the same day.
After the co-management agreement was signed in 2006, Peace Parks Foundation has been working together with Mozambique’s National Administration for Conservation Areas (ANAC) to develop the area. It has since gone from strength to strength. From an area that was largely devoid of wildlife as a result of conflict, poaching and hunting to now being a healthy and thriving ecosystem that supports well over 12 000 animals, Maputo National Park stands as an example of what successful conservation looks like.
The Cost Of Conservation
Many might think that because the park is now thriving, it can be left to its own devices. This is certainly not the case. Effective and successful conservation management involves having a long-term hands-on approach. Ensuring that wildlife remains protected, infrastructure maintenance and staff motivated will allow protected areas such as this to continue to grow sustainably. But this does not come easy…or cheap!
Werner explains that currently, the annual cost to manage Maputo National Park comes in at a whopping 2 million US dollars. This goes towards funding counter-poaching efforts, aerial support, staff and sustaining extensive livelihood support for the communities living around the park. This livelihood support includes providing access to fresh drinking water, conservation agriculture, environmental awareness education and sustainable fishing programmes to name a few.
Maputo’s Newest Lodge
This year has seen the exciting development of Membene Lodge, the park’s newest accommodation addition. Nature was front of mind when designing and constructing the lodge, taking care to preserve and incorporate the unique natural environment that it’s in.
With the brief adhered to, Membene Lodge now sits tucked away underneath a canopy of trees, barely visible from both the ground and the air. With the doors set to open in early 2023, the addition to the already existing nature-based tourism in the park will contribute to making the park more self-sustainable. Membene Lodge will offer guests a more affordable option, without sacrificing any of the picture-perfect beach views.
The lodge will also benefit people from the local communities as it is set to employ 24 permanent staff members offering long-term employment opportunities. Further to this, 20% of the revenue generated by the park is shared with communities living in and around the protected area.
The 14th Species
2022 was a significant year for Maputo National Park with the addition of the 14th species – the common eland – being introduced into the park. This also marked the milestone of having rewilded over 5 000 animals here since 2010.
All these animals, including the eland, were historically found in the area but due to illegal hunting and other factors, their populations dramatically declined or disappeared altogether. The reintroduction of these species into the area will help to promote biodiversity and a healthy, functioning ecosystem.
This was made possible thanks to the support of Mozbio and many other dedicated donors.
The Tusk Award
Someone who has been instrumental in Maputo National Park’s success over the last 12 years is none other than Park Warden, Miguel Gonçalves. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to conservation, he was recently awarded the prestigious Tusk Award for Conservation in Africa.
Peace Parks Foundation is incredibly proud of Miguel and thankful for his unwavering dedication and passion in helping Maputo National Park blossom into the flagship national park that it is today.
