Elephant Collaring Operation Launched in Magoe and Chitima to Address Escalating Conflict

In response to rising reports of human-wildlife conflict in Magoe National Park (PNM) and surrounding communities - including Chitima - MWA and PNM deployed a targeted elephant collaring operation to improve monitoring and response mechanisms in the region.

Backed by data from national media and local authorities, at least 15 deaths and 10 serious injuries have been linked to wildlife encounters in Magoe this year alone. In addition, over 60 incidents of crop destruction and community disruption were reported, highlighting the urgent need for practical, science-based intervention.

With support from the World Bank and BIOFUND, MWA the veterinary team to conduct collaring operations aimed at strengthening early-warning systems and conflict prevention.

Over the course of the mission, four GPS collars were deployed:

• 2 in Magoe National Park

• 2 in Chitima, a key HWC-affected area along the park’s southern boundary

The collars will allow authorities and community-based response teams to track elephant movements in real time, anticipate risk areas, and deploy mitigation efforts faster and more strategically.

This operation represents an important step in the implementation of sustainable and resilient strategies aimed at establishing coexistence with the resident communities in one of Mozambique’s most affected conservation landscapes.