Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique

Mozambique

Gorongosa National Park is one of the world’s great biodiversity restoration stories, created in the aftermath of a terrific civil war in Mozambique. In 2008, the Government of Mozambique and the Carr Foundation formed the “Gorongosa Project”, a 20-year Public-Private Partnership for the joint management of the park and for human development. The Gorongosa Project protects the Park’s biodiversity and ecosystem services and unlocks its economic potential for the community inhabitants of the Gorongosa Buffer Zone, Sofala Province, Mozambique and beyond.

Why this place?

Gorongosa National Park, lying at the southern edge of the rift valley in Mozambique, enjoys abundant seasonal rainfall, a wide diversity of habitants and fertile ground, which allows for large concentrations of wildlife. It’s wildlife population suffered huge losses during Mozambique’s 16-year civil conflict, which resulted in a 99% decline in some large mammal species’ population. Now, almost 200,000 people live in traditional communities around the 1500 square mile park in Mozambique’s Sofala province.

How does it contribute to Half-Earth?

The park is home to over 75,000 species, but despite its biological richness, Mozambique is one of the least biologically explored countries in Africa. Only about 20% of Mozambique is under protection and there is a shortage of local experts who can generate biodiversity data.

Stewards

The park is run by local Mozambicans who balance the needs of wildlife and people, protecting and saving this beautiful wilderness, returning it to its rightful place as one of Africa’s greatest parks and supporting sustainable economic growth. Programs provide health services, girls clubs, community-based natural resource management, including job training.

Iconic species

Known as the “Serengeti of the South”, the park has African Elephant, Leopard, African Wild Dogs, Pangolin, Painted Wolves, Hippo and more.

Protected areas status

In 2008, the Government of Mozambique and the Carr Foundation formed the “Gorongosa Project”, a 20-year Public-Private Partnership for the joint management of the Park and for human development in the communities near the Park. On June 7th 2018, the Government of Mozambique signed an extension of the management agreement of Gorongosa National Park for another 25 years.

Scientific research

The park is creating a detailed picture of life in Gorongosa National Park, the BioEx program has recorded 6,300+ species of animals and plants, discovered over 100 species new to science, 25 species endemic to Gorongosa, and collected data on 750 species on the IUCN Red List. Dr. Piotr Naskrecki, Scientific Chair of the Half-Earth Project and Executive Director of the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Laboratory guides the research at the Park, which was often visited by E.O. Wilson, and the subject of his book A Window on Eternity. In addition to the ongoing scientific research at the lab, Dr. Naskrecki administers the Half-Earth Fellowships in Taxonomy and Biodiversity Exploration. The fellows are indigenous Mozambicans who complete a multi-week taxonomic research-intensive program. Watch our video series “Gorongosa Field Notes”