A male and a female leopard were recently captured in the Karingani Game Reserve and translocated to the Gorongosa National Park as part of the ongoing leopard reintroduction program in Gorongosa.
The operation, carried out in coordination with TB Big Game Hounds and the Mozambique Wildlife Alliance (MWA), marks, according to a press release from Karingani, another milestone in the growing collaboration between Mozambique’s leading conservation areas.
This initiative follows other translocations conducted under the guidance of the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC), including the transfer of three spotted hyenas from Karingani to Gorongosa in 2024, six spotted hyenas to Coutada 11 in 2025, a breeding pair of leopards to Zinave National Park in 2022, and six wild dogs to Majete National Park in Malawi in 2021. Collectively, these operations illustrate Karingani’s leadership in promoting the restoration of key carnivore species in Mozambique and the wider region.
Mateus Mutemba, Executive Director of Karingani Game Reserve, stated that “this successful translocation reflects Karingani’s deep commitment to promoting collaborative conservation in Mozambique. By working hand in hand with Gorongosa and our conservation partners, we are not only helping to restore apex predators to their natural habitats but also strengthening the ecological resilience that underpins sustainable development and community well-being. Each of these milestones reinforces Mozambique’s leadership in innovative and cooperative conservation.”
Aurora Malene, President of the Gorongosa Restoration Project, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the symbolic power of such conservation efforts. “This partnership with Karingani is a beautiful expression of the Mozambican spirit, where conservation is built on unity, courage, and hope. Every animal returning to Gorongosa tells a story of resilience and of people coming together to heal the land we all share. It reminds us that protecting nature is also protecting our future.”
The ongoing cooperation between Karingani and Gorongosa not only strengthens ecosystem and predator population restoration but also contributes to a shared vision of a sustainable conservation model in Mozambique—one that combines biodiversity preservation with economic and social development through nature-based tourism.
Source: Diário Económico
