Magoe National Park: progress on the ground

Since September, Mozambique Wildlife Alliance (MWA) has continued to strengthen its response to Human–Wildlife Conflict in Magoe National Park and surrounding communities, working in close coordination with ANAC, park management, and local authorities.

Under two complementary projects supported by BIOFUND and the World Bank, what began as an urgent response to rising conflict is now showing measurable results.

To date, 12 elephants have been collared, significantly improving real-time monitoring, movement analysis, and early-warning capacity for communities at risk. In parallel, three Protected Farming Communities (PFCs) have been implemented, with 21 additional sites planned, expanding safe agricultural spaces in some of the most affected areas.

At the community level, prevention remains central. MWA, together with ANAC, park fiscais, and local authorities, has delivered 8 trainings in Human–Wildlife Conflict prevention and mitigation, equipping communities with practical tools, shared protocols, and clearer coordination mechanisms. Recent field images show these sessions being led directly within villages - reinforcing local ownership and trust.

In December 2025, field reports confirmed multiple attempted elephant incursions that were successfully prevented, thanks to the presence of Protected Farming Communities. These incidents did not escalate into crop loss, injury, or retaliation - a key indicator that prevention measures are working.

Beyond the numbers, change is also visible in community response. Farmers are beginning to recognise that safe farming spaces are possible, confidence is growing, and relationships between communities, park teams, and response units are strengthening.

This work is not without challenges. Magoe remains a complex and dynamic landscape. But early results show that when monitoring, prevention, and community engagement are aligned, coexistence becomes achievable.

MWA remains committed to scaling this integrated approach across Magoe, alongside ANAC and its partners - ensuring that communities are not only responding to conflict, but actively preventing it.

With continued support from BIOFUND and the World Bank, this work is delivering tangible progress on the ground.