conservation: 26 Oct 2022
In September 2022, the Sanctuary achieved a significant milestone, with its first game capture and relocation operation since large herbivores were reintroduced to the protected area eleven years ago. In this eight-day exercise carried out in fairly challenging conditions, 99 Eland were caught and transported to Maputo National Park and Zinave National Park as part of reintroduction efforts by the Peace Parks Foundation and ANAC (the National Administration for Nature Conservation) to bolster game numbers and restore ecosystem functioning. A further 61 Blue Wildebeest were captured and moved to Karingani Game Reserve.
These planned removals formed part of the Sanctuary’s strategy to manage wildlife numbers within acceptable limits and prevent undesirable impacts on habitats. Large herbivore species were first introduced to the Sanctuary between 2009 and 2011 and have thrived in this miombo-dominated landscape.
“We are extremely pleased and proud to be able to contribute to Mozambique’s wider conservation achievements by partnering with government and other conservation organisations to re-stock Mozambique’s protected areas”, says the Sanctuary’s General Manager, David Gilroy. “By reducing our game numbers locally, we relieve the browsing pressure on vegetation allowing our habitats to recover and providing game populations with the opportunity to increase in numbers again. The fact that our wildlife populations reached a level at which sustainable live removals is possible is a testament to the success of the Sanctuary’s conservation management efforts.”