After a civil war that devastated Mozambique’s wildlife and landscapes over 16 years, Maputo National Park is once again teeming with life. Situated in one of the world’s most biologically rich eco-regions, the park has become a symbol of hope and renewal – but not without challenges.
As conservation efforts successfully restored the ecosystem, the elephant population grew naturally. With the resurgence in wildlife, the surrounding communities found themselves navigating a new reality. Larger animal populations meant more frequent and sometimes dangerous encounters, especially with elephants in search of food and water. For farmers and other members of the communities residing near the park, that often meant destroyed crops.
Over the past three years, something has started to shift. Reports of incidents between elephants and people have dropped by nearly two-thirds. This coincides with a co-ordinated human-wildlife conflict response led by the Mozambique Government’s National Administration for Conservation Areas with support from the Mozambique Wildlife Alliance and Peace Parks Foundation, grounded in both science and trust.
From risk to response
“When communities report an animal sighting or an incident, our rangers respond immediately,” says Maria Pinto, Conservation Officer. “They have a direct line to the operations room. It’s quick and effective.”
A dedicated Human-Wildlife Conflict unit was formed, supported by new systems and boots on the ground. Rangers were trained, deployed and stationed in high-risk areas. EarthRanger and other monitoring tools began to guide where and when teams responded. A special vehicle was assigned to the unit, and mobile camps gave teams the flexibility to reach remote hotspots.
But sometimes, the simplest tools make the biggest difference. “We arm residents with tools to create loud noises that chase elephants away, such as bird-bangers, fireworks and horns, and by lighting chilli blocks,” explains Pinto.
To protect crops directly, shared farming areas were enclosed by exclusion fences. Tentacle fencing, which has electrified strands that extend perpendicular to the main fence, was installed along 58 kilometres of the boundary to deter elephants before they reached nearby farms.
Signs of progress
In May 2025, the number of reported elephant incidents had dropped to 31 – down from 85 for January 2022. “The steady rise in reports from 2020 showed us the system was working. People trusted us and knew how to reach out,” says Gavin Shaw, Head of Operations and Development for Peace Parks in Maputo. “Now, we’re seeing that curve bend. Either there are fewer incidents, or the intensity of reporting is dropping.”
This progress reflects more than just numbers. It speaks to growing confidence, better relationships between the park and its neighbours, and a more proactive approach to risk.
Looking ahead
In 2025, the park plans to expand the community ranger programme, complete the remaining fencing, and increase the number of exclusion plots. GPS collars will be fitted to five more elephant herds, and the use of contraception will be piloted to manage population growth outside the park boundary. A full elephant count is also planned to help guide future interventions.
Beyond the tools and strategies, these efforts are about building a shared vision for the land. “The next step is to work with communities and local governments to create a land-use plan that balances human needs and wildlife migration,” says Helena Atkinson, Peace Parks Foundation’s Community Development Programme Manager. “The long-term goal is not just to reduce conflict, but to build a system of co-existence.”
A story still being written
The work is not finished. But Maputo National Park is showing what becomes possible when conservation efforts place equal value on ecosystems and the people who live alongside them. It is a story of progress, measured not only in wildlife numbers, but in the quiet, daily moments when elephants and people manage to share the land more peacefully than before.
