How has Gorongosa National Park recovered from Mozambique’s Civil War?
Many animal populations were wiped out – while local people had no schools or hospitals
Africa Daily · BBC World Service
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Show Notes
Over one million people died during Mozambique’s civil war – which continued from 1977 to 1992. By its end, much of the country’s infrastructure was also gone.
One place which was heavily impacted was Gorongosa National Park – in the middle of the country – where virtually all the wild animals were slaughtered for food or for ivory, which was then traded for weapons. Wildebeest and Zebra populations dropped from thousands to less than twenty of each. Elephant numbers decreased by more than 90%. And for the people living there, there were no schools, hospitals or jobs.
But in 2004, the then-president, Joaquim Chissano, appealed to American philanthropist, Greg Carr, to help with the rebuilding of Mozambique - and he chose to concentrate on the park. Now, after 20 years, it’s been transformed.
For today’s Africa Daily Mpho Lakaje finds out more about what’s been called ‘Africa’s most successful rewilding effort’ with journalist Ish Mafundikwa who’s just visited the project.