Gorongosa National Park Has Documented 110,513 “Large-Sized” Animals In An Aerial Survey, Setting An All-Time Record For Counting The Different Species Present In That Protected Area In Central Mozambique.
“The Count, Carried Out Over 197,000 Hectares Between 8 And 22 October, Documented 110,513 Large Animals. The Highest Numbers Ever Recorded,” Says A Park Report.
According To The Park, The Aerial Wildlife Survey Confirmed That The ‘Incredible’ Restoration Efforts Are Working.
“Highlights Include The Highest Elephant Count Ever And No Sign Of Poaching Or Animals Caught In Snares,” It Says.
The Last Aerial Count Of Wildlife In The Area Took Place In 2022 And Documented The Presence Of More Than 100,000 Animals In 60% Of Gorongosa National Park, Including Around 1,500 Blue Wildebeest, More Than 1,400 Buffalo And 900 Hippos.
This Survey Specifically Detected The Presence Of 2,748 Crocodiles, 873 Elephants, 1,958 Buffaloes, 4,019 Antelopes And 16,291 Impalas, Among Other Species.
The Report States That The Number Of Herbivores In The Park, Estimated At 107,765, Is Higher Than That Documented Between 1960 And 1970, Although There Are Now More Small Animals.
“Some Species Are Exhibiting Strong Growth, In Particular Impala.Other Species Are Still On A Downward Trajectory, Probably Reflecting Increased Competition And Predation,” It Explains.
The Park Explains That Gorongosa Serves As A Refuge For Vulnerable And “Critically Endangered” Species, Including 274 Ground Hornbills And 73 Active Vulture Nests, 29 Of Which Belong To White-Headed Vultures.
It Also Notes That Two Leopards And Seven Hyenas Have Recently Been Added To The Park, Which Reinforces The Growing Predator Population In The Conservation Area.
“The Leopard And Hyena Introductions Are Part Of A Four-Year Initiative To Strengthen The Park’s Predator Population And Restore Ecological Balance,” It Adds.
In Colonial Times, Gorongosa Was Portugal’s First National Park, In 1960, Later Torn Apart Between 1977 And 1992 By The Civil War That Followed Mozambique’s Independence.
In 2008, The Foundation Of American Millionaire And Philanthropist Greg Carr Signed A 20-Year Agreement With The Mozambican Government To Manage The Park – Extending It For Another 25 Years In 2018 – Which Has Led To Its Renewal On Several Fronts, With Social Projects Allied To Conservation And The Number Of Animals Growing From 10,000 To Over 102,000.
More Than 20 Years Ago, Greg Carr Rediscovered Gorongosa And Mozambique’s Most Important Park Has Never Been The Same Again, Rehabilitated, With More Fauna And Flora, Geared Towards The Community, Leaving The American Millionaire And Philanthropist Thrilled.
“In My Opinion, The Best Park In The World. Why? We Have Biodiversity, Beauty. Our Project Has Two Objectives: Nature Conservation And Human Development For The Communities Around The Park. We Have Agriculture, Health And Education Projects. I’m Proud,! Carr Explained In An Interview With Lusa In Chitengo, In The Middle Of Gorongosa National Park.
Today, The Park Is Almost A World Apart In Mozambique, With 1,700 Workers, Including Seasonal Labourers And A Force Of Nature Rangers Who Operate Throughout The Territory. Gorongosa Coffee And Honey Are Already Produced In The Park Area, With A View To Export And Which Represents An Income For Thousands Of Families.
Lusa
