Helicopters play a critical role in the protection of Africa’s conservation areas. With their speed and agility, they can land almost anywhere that otherwise might be inaccessible to vehicles. After a group of rangers have finished their foot patrol in Maputo National Park, Uwe Muhl, Peace Parks Chief Helicopter Pilot, swoops in to take the rangers back to the picket. The road network in Maputo National Park is extremely limited and the terrain is challenging no matter your 4×4 capabilities, so relying on skilled pilots like Uwe is critical in protecting and managing this beautiful park.
Maputo National Park is one of the top 36 most biodiverse and critically endangered ecoregions in the world. Situated within the Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation and Resource Area, the park is vast and comprises a multitude of different habitats. These range from large inland lakes and wetlands, swamps and mangrove forests, and grasslands to a marine protected area that stretches 18 nautical miles out to sea.
This diverse range of habitats supports many species, from plains game found on the grasslands to nesting turtles finding sanctuary on the beaches. Peace Parks Foundation alongside its long-term partner, Mozambique’s National Administration for Conservation Areas (ANAC), have been instrumental in leading rewilding efforts in Maputo National Park. To date, over 5 000 animals have been translocated since 2010. As the animal count increases, tourism infrastructure development is underway, and the park is fast becoming one of Mozambique’s flagship conservation success stories.
Wildlife is also a critical component of keeping the ecosystem healthy and balanced, so it remains vital to protect them through effective counter-poaching strategies, including ranger patrols and aerial surveillance. Due to the vast expanse of the park, most of which is inaccessible by vehicle, the added advantage of having helicopter assistance helps to reinforce counter-poaching operations and monitor wildlife safety.
You can read more about the role that helicopters play in conservation here.
Peace Parks is dedicated to protecting, restoring and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial and marine ecosystems, forming part of goals 13 and 14 of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. These efforts are crucial in promoting tourism in the area which will help to ensure financial self-sustainability of the park as well as providing employment opportunities for the local communities. These efforts are crucial to ensure that this spectacular park remains safeguarded for generations to come.
