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Mozambique

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Mozambique is a vast country covering over 800,000 km2 in south-eastern Africa bordering the Indian Ocean. It shares Lake Niassa (Lake Malawi) with neighbouring Malawi. The lake is thought to harbour over 600 endemic species of fish, primarily cichlids. Biodiversity is also high along the coast and in the mountains in the north and east of the country.

New species are continually being discovered in Mozambique, which shows how diverse and understudied it is. A Fauna & Flora International (FFI) survey in Niassa Reserve led to the discovery of a new species: the Mecula girdled lizard (Cordylus maculae). A number of butterfly, snake and plant species were discovered in 2008 on Mount Mabu in Zambezia province. Many of the new species are unique to Mozambique.

After independence from Portugal, Mozambique suffered a civil war which ended in 1992 and from which it is still recovering.  As a result, poverty is still widespread and the country is ranked 172 on the Human Development Index. Most of the population lives in the coastal regions and the hinterland has generally low population densities.

FFI has been involved in Mozambique through support to the Niassa Reserve since 2000. Our input has helped to double the Reserve’s elephant population over the past decade.

Our work in Mozambique

Protecting livelihoods and wildlife in Niassa Reserve

niassa

At 42,000km2 – the size of Denmark – Niassa National Reserve is one of Africa’s largest and most undeveloped wild areas.  It is home to thousands of elephant, sable antelope, zebra, and other iconic African species, including the second largest population of the Endangered African wild dog. FFI supports our partner Sociedade para Gestão e Desenvolvimento da Reserva do Niassa to manage and promote the reserve, in particular to develop human-wildlife conflict mitigation strategies and an integrated management plan for the Lugenda river, the source of a major fishery for local communities.  Wildlife populations have doubled since FFI became active in Niassa in 2000 – a clear sign that we are having a positive impact on this unique protected area.

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