A story of partnership, patience and purpose
Across the plains of southern Mozambique, a once-silent wilderness is stirring again. After years of commitment and collaboration, Banhine National Park is being reborn, continuing a story of restoration that began in another corner of the country.
Not long ago, Maputo National Park stood on the brink of emptiness. Today, it thrives as a model of recovery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, ecologically balanced and alive with the movement of wildlife. That transformation, achieved through the joint efforts of the Government of Mozambique via the National Administration for Conservation Areas (ANAC), local communities and Peace Parks Foundation, with support from long-standing donors and partners, has become the foundation for a new chapter.
In August, that story came full circle.
385 wild animals, including blue wildebeest, zebra, waterbuck, reedbuck and impala, were moved from Maputo to Banhine National Park, thanks to funding from BIOFUND, the World Bank, German Postcode Lottery and the COmON Foundation as part of a programme to restore this important ecosystem over the next few years.
The move represents far more than a wildlife translocation. It is the continuation of a shared national vision to reconnect ecosystems, restore biodiversity and ensure that communities benefit directly from nature-based economies. With 20% of park revenue shared locally, Banhine’s renewal will bring new opportunities for livelihoods and strengthen the resilience of some of Mozambique’s most remote communities.
For Mozambique, it is a moment of pride – it demonstrates what patience, partnership and trust can achieve. What began as an idea to restore one park has evolved into a model for transboundary restoration across the region.
“This is Mozambique’s achievement,” says Werner Myburgh, CEO of Peace Parks Foundation. “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.”
Read more about the translocation here.
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