During a recent elephant collaring operation in Banhine National Park, Peace Parks’ Aviation Manager and Chief Pilot, Hannes van Wyk, takes to the skies on what promises to be a flight to remember. While in the air, Hannes is reminded what a wonderful feeling it is to see these magnificent animals relaxed and wandering freely in this 700 000-hectare national park.
The Importance Of Banhine National Park
Situated in central southern Mozambique, Banhine is a vital component of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area. This protected area serves as part of an important corridor, or an animal ‘walkway’ for migratory animals such as elephant, as it lies within an ancient wildlife corridor stretching from South Africa’s Kruger National Park through Limpopo National Park and all the way up to Zinave National Park.
Despite being one of the country’s lesser-known national parks, Banhine is truly a wonder for any outdoor and nature enthusiast. With its extensive grassy plains and arid pans, which transform into crystal clear lagoons after heavy rains, Banhine is an important passage point for migratory birds that flock there during the rainy season.
Why Do We Collar Animals?
In the last 100 years, African elephant populations have declined by 97%, and the need to ensure their survival and conserve their habitats has never been greater. Collaring animals such as elephants and buffalo provides us with information on their movements through areas like Banhine. This dat ahelps Peace Parks to conserve ancient wildlife corridors so that these gentle giants, as well as other species needing protection, have a safe route to follow their natural instincts in search of food and water.
Peace Parks is committed to improving connectivity across these mighty landscapes and beyond boundaries, bringing visible conservation benefits across great scales.
