The perilous 1,000-mile journey to save Africa’s endangered black rhinos
28 October 2022
It is thanks to our partners that we are able to succeed in the transboundary landscape restoration work that is vital to all of our futures. Peace Parks Foundation undertakes the rehabilitation and preservation of natural ecosystems across 68 million hectares of land throughout southern Africa. In our 2023 Annual Review, we extend our thanks to governments, like-minded NGOs, and the communities who joined hands with us last year.
By drawing on the strengths that each of us bring to the table, we have accomplished much. We have expanded our influence over biodiverse ecosystems that play an essential role in regulating the global carbon cycle.
Government partnerships forged/strengthened
In June 2023, we signed a 20-year integrated co-management agreement with the Government of Malawi to secure the long-term protection and sustainability of Nyika National Park and Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve. For the first time in the country’s history, an independent Trust is being established that will professionally manage these conservation areas. In neighbouring Zambia, the Government formally approved a similar model for conserving the vast 2.6 million hectare Sioma Ngwezi landscape in Western Zambia in partnership with the traditional authority, the Barotse Royal Establishment, together with Peace Parks and World Wildlife Fund. In November, the Government of Zimbabwe signed an agreement with Peace Parks to co-manage the iconic Greater Mana Pools Ecosystem over the next 20 years. These three agreements bring together the governments, NGOs, and communities on equal footing.
Partnering with like-minded organisations
At the Africa Climate Summit in September, Peace Parks and Conservation International proudly announced a far-reaching partnership commitment, with funding of USD 150 million to restore 20 million hectares of degraded rangelands over the next decade by scaling up our Herding for Health model.
In February, a generous grant from the Blue Action Fund, with the German Government as a sub-grantee, set Peace Parks and partners on a path to protect and strengthen the unique coastal ecosystems of the Maputo National Park.
Rewilding our continent
Our partnership with Mozambique’s National Administration for Conservation Areas has again yielded conservation successes. Together with Exxaro Resources and Conservation Solutions, we translocated another five white and five black rhino from South Africa to Zinave National Park, Mozambique, bringing the total number to 27. In Maputo National Park, five spotted hyena were also introduced thanks to support from Karingani Game Reserve and the Mozambique Wildlife Alliance.
In the full aerial census undertaken in Zinave, Limpopo, Banhine, and Maputo national parks, we learned that numbers have more than doubled in some areas since starting reintroductions. Thanks to the restored health of these ecosystems and the ecological linkages between protected areas, the rewilding results are beginning to speak for themselves.
Thinking outside of the box
Innovative Conservation Finance is a major focus as we look to ensure the longevity and continued success of all our endeavours. Our investment structures with BioCarbon Partners, Union Bankcare Priveé, and Rand Merchant Bank have made impressive advances in stimulating investment in and funding for biodiversity conservation and restoration. We are excited about the enabling nature of these funds to generate sustainable cashflows and increased investment in transboundary landscapes.
As we acknowledge the dedicated governments who enable and support our work in #NatureWithoutBorders, we also extend our deepest gratitude to our staff, donors, and funders who make all of this possible. We invite more people, organisations, and countries to join us in the movement to secure a sustainable future for Africa’s unique and globally significant ecosystems.
What humanity collectively achieves in this decade will influence the stability of the planet’s climate for future generations.
Please click here to access the interactive story map of the 2023 Annual Review
Please click here to view the PDF version of the 2023 Annual Review
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