Gorongosa's Wildlife Roars Back After War

Gorongosa National Park, once a sanctuary for abundant wildlife in Mozambique, faced near extinction of its animal populations due to the civil war that raged from 1977 to 1992. A 2019 study revealed that large mammals plummeted by over 90% during this conflict, with post-war recovery proving uneven. Significant recovery efforts began in 2004, spearheaded by the US-based Carr Foundation in partnership with the Mozambican government through the Gorongosa Project. This initiative prioritized law enforcement to curb illegal hunting and allowed surviving populations to rebound.

By 2018, the total biomass of key herbivore species had recovered to about 95% of pre-war levels, though species composition dramatically shifted, with waterbuck becoming dominant. Reintroductions, like that of blue wildebeest, also contributed to the resurgence. By 2024, an official aerial count recorded 110,513 large animals, marking a new high. The project's scope has since expanded to include community development and scientific research, with its management partnership extended until at least 2043.