The Peace Parks Foundation (PPF) and Mozambique’s National Administration for Conservation Areas (ANAC) have signed a third agreement. This comes on the heels of a second partnership agreement concluded between the two entities.
The agreement will see further development of the Banhine National Park – a critical component of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) as it lies within the wildlife corridor between the two parks.
Antony Alexander, Peace Parks Foundation Senior Project Manager, who is closely involved in the development of the Greater TFCA, said: “Last year two hippos moved from the Limpopo National Park to Banhine’s central pan system and recently, an elephant bull, that was collared in Limpopo National Park last year, walked to Banhine through a section along the Limpopo river that has been kept clear of human development, giving scientific evidence of the functionality of corridor linkages between the national parks.”
Banhine National Park features extensive plains and flood areas, which makes it an ideal habitat for a great diversity of both land and water birds during the rainy season, as well as a vital passage point for migratory birds. Thousands of birds from all over the African continent can be seen here.
The area suffered from a long period of drought, illegal hunting, and the illegal ivory and meat trades which had nearly eradicated all wildlife. So to rehabilitate the park, PPF and ANAC have made it a priority to reintroduce wildlife. PPF’s Ernst Beylefeld was appointed a Banhine Law Enforcement Operations Manager in 2017 to spearhead a $1.3m anti-poaching project over three years alongside the Park Warden. “Since I started in October we have arrested 16 poachers and confiscated their firearms, some of which were home-made rifles. We also located and removed 535 snares and gin traps and arrested 36 suspects responsible for installing these devices in the field.”
As the park becomes more secure, more animal translocations are planned for Banhine.
Through this partnership agreement, the relationship between ANAC and Peace Parks Foundation is strengthened, enabling both parties to more effectively restore the park to its former splendour.
