PRESS RELEASE
Banhine National Park, 9 October 2025
Mozambique unites to restore a wildlife corridor between Maputo and Banhine National Parks
Mozambique has reached a remarkable milestone in conservation. Maputo National Park, once nearly emptied of wildlife, has recovered so strongly that it can now help restore Banhine National Park, a landscape equally rich in potential. This achievement is the result of years of dedication by government, communities and partners working side by side.
The Government of Mozambique, through the National Administration for Conservation Areas (ANAC), has begun a new chapter in the recovery of Banhine by welcoming the first wildlife herds translocated from Maputo National Park. This landmark effort shows how one park’s renewal can help restore another, strengthening ecological links across the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area.
These first animals symbolise far more than a translocation. They carry with them the story of resilience, of parks and people working together to bring life back life to places that once seemed lost.
Maputo’s recovery supporting Mozambique’s wider landscape
Over the past decade, Maputo National Park has undergone a steady renewal. With support from government, communities and partners such as World Bank and Peace Parks Foundation, 5,388 animals of 14 species have been reintroduced since 2010.
Once nearly empty, Maputo now holds over 30,000 wild animals, based on recent aerial census estimates, an encouraging sign of a healthy ecosystem able to support predators and sustain its role as a source of life for the region. For the first time, one Mozambican park is strong enough to help rebuild another.
“A recent wildlife census confirms this growth. This means the park is healthy enough to support predators and even share its wildlife with other parks in need,” said Miguel Gonçalves, Warden of Maputo National Park.
Restoring Banhine’s role in the Great Limpopo
Banhine National Park, once known for vast herds and abundant birdlife, has faced challenges ranging from civil war and drought to poaching. Yet it remains a vital wetland for migratory species and a key link in wildlife movement between Kruger, Limpopo and Zinave national parks.
“By supporting Banhine, we are protecting the corridors that, like arteries, connect the heart of the Great Limpopo landscape,” said Gonçalves.
These first herds are a spark of renewal, returning grazers to a landscape that had been silent for decades.
Communities and partners building resilience
Since 2018, ANAC together with Biofund, World Bank and Peace Parks Foundation has been investing in rebuilding the park, focusing on community programmes, park management resources, essential infrastructure and improved protection. In 2024, 35 new rangers including 17 women joined the force. With these initiatives in hand, the park can now focus on the reintroduction of wild animals, an essential next step for restoring ecological balance and to enable future tourism investment.
With donor support from the COmON Foundation and the German Postcode Lottery, a multi-year restoration programme is underway, including the development of a wildlife sanctuary with permanent water, secure fencing and new access roads. The first 385 plains game arrived this week through a carefully coordinated effort.
Looking forward
The arrival of plains game from Maputo National Park marks a major step in restoring balance to Banhine’s ecosystem, while creating future opportunities for eco-tourism and local jobs.
“This is Mozambique’s achievement. Restoring landscapes at this scale is only possible when everyone works together. Led by ANAC and supported by communities, donors and partners, Peace Parks is honoured to stand alongside them. Restoring landscapes at this scale is only possible when everyone works together,” said Werner Myburgh, Peace Parks Foundation Chief Executive Officer.
Together, these efforts prove what is possible when government, communities and partners stay the course. Restoration at this scale was once unimaginable. Today, it is happening right across Mozambique.
Mozambique’s National Administration for Conservation Areas
Established in 2011, the National Administration for Conservation Areas (ANAC) is a state institution responsible for the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable development of the country’s ecotourism. Its main activities are the planning, coordination and execution of activities in conservation areas, in partnership with local organisations and communities. The conservation areas, administered by ANAC, represent around 25% of the national territory, including seven national parks, seven national reserves, and 70 game areas divided in 20 official game reserves, 9 hunting blocks, 13 community projects and 31 game farms.
Peace Parks Foundation
Founded in 1997 by President Nelson Mandela, Dr. Anton Rupert, and HRH Prince Bernhard of The Netherlands, Peace Parks Foundation is a leading African non-profit conservation organisation that specialises in conservation at scale through the development of Transfrontier Conservation Areas and the long-term management of key protected areas within these landscapes. Peace Parks is currently involved in the co-management of ten key protected areas spanning over 60 000 km2 and is in the process of expanding to 11 protected areas spanning 100 000 km2 by 2030. Should these protected areas be successfully developed and professionally managed, it will unlock the ecosystem functionality of five priority transboundary landscapes spanning 68 million hectares, where people and nature not only co-exist but thrive.
The Foundation’s inclusive co-management approach, rooted in conservation at a landscape level, community development, and innovative conservation finance, emphasises the need for an ecosystem-based approach to conservation and development, transcending political and human boundaries. Peace Parks’ vision is to achieve 17 fully functional transboundary landscapes by 2050 spanning 980,000 km² throughout southern Africa, making it arguably one of the world’s largest conservation initiatives supporting sustainable economic development, the conservation of biodiversity, and regional peace and stability.
Banhine National Park
Banhine National Park forms part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area and plays a key role in securing biodiversity and human resilience in one of Mozambique’s most arid regions. Its seasonal wetlands and savanna habitats support rare and endemic species, while also acting as an ecological bridge between Limpopo and Zinave national parks. Ongoing work to strengthen natural resource governance and improve rural livelihoods is critical in this fragile landscape, where drought, isolation, and poverty amplify conservation challenges. Together, these efforts support ecological stability and local stewardship across the broader transboundary system.
Maputo National Park
The Government of Mozambique and Peace Parks Foundation signed a 15-year agreement in 2018 to restore, develop and manage Maputo National Park. In 2024, the focus was on supporting local development, reviving key ecosystems and improving cross-border wildlife movement. Additional spotted hyenas were reintroduced to help rebalance the park’s natural food chain, while the opening of the park-owned Membene Lodge added a new boost to tourism. Local communities also benefited from new structures to help manage natural resources and strengthen sustainable land use. Since the park’s establishment, 5,388 animals representing 16 species have been translocated to Maputo National Park. These revived populations are now estimated to exceed an estimated 13,799 animals, a powerful signal of ecological recovery and restoration at scale.
Contact:
National Administration for Conservation Areas (ANAC)
Ivan Mauro Zacarias
Communications Manager
ivan.zacarias@anac.gov.mz
+258 82 559 6180
Peace Parks Foundation
Lindsay Barnes
Communications Officer
lbarnes@peaceparks.org
Tel: +27 84 8118163
