News from Gorongoda National Park
Park biologists explore the Chimanimani Mountains
Dr. Piotr Naskrecki and a team of researchers and students from Gorongosa recently returned from exploring the Mozambican side of the Sierra de Chimanimani.
The group conducted a first zoological survey of the area and made some new and interesting discoveries.
In addition to the incredible biological richness of Chimanimani, the mountain also houses some of the most important elements of Mozambique’s remarkable cultural heritage, including rock paintings by San people of unknown age (but probably between 2,000 and 10,000 years old)
The team’s findings will be shared in future editions.
Lions and Wildcats the Rose Park in 2019
Thirteen new young males traveled through the central area of Gorongosa Park.
“It is something I have never seen in the seven years that we have studied the lion population,” explains Paola Bouley, Deputy Director of Conservation, who heads the Carnivore Project.
The park’s lion population is 146, with several females raising young. Tonguinha, from Bando do Sungué, just gave us two more puppies.
“Lions are sentinels,” explains Paola. “When conditions are bad, they are impacted first, but when life goes well, they recover quickly. And that’s what we’re looking at. “
None of the new males were trapped during their lives. Before 2015, a third of the Park’s lions were captured, mutilated or killed by human activities.
“Gorongosa’s inspectors have turned the situation around,” said Paola. “They provide lions with the security they need to thrive.”
African lions in the wild have fallen by 70% in the past 50 years and have disappeared from 80% of their historic area.
“Gorongosa National Park was once home to hundreds of lions. Our mission is to make it a lion fortress once again.”
More dummies arrived November
A new pack of Mabecos arrived at Gorongosa National Park in November.
The population of this endangered species in the Park is now 52, against zero 18 months ago.
The students of the Environmental Club of the Primary School of Pungué named the new nine males and six females: Save, Matenga, Mutiabamba, Nhambita, Munhanganha, Khanda, Bue-Maria, Duke, Pungue, Mbulaua, Deke, Nhamanguena, Nhamachato, Nhamapaza and Vunduzi.
“Gorongosa thanks the support of ‘Endangered WildlifeTrust’ and ‘The Bateleurs’,” said Paola Bouley. “They coordinated the flight and the safe transfer of this beautiful second pack from the Kalahari in South Africa, to Mozambique.”
