Report to the Van Tienhoven Foundation

November 2011

Original Proposal outline:“… to improve coverage and ensure the adequate protection of the rich biodiversity found in Niassa Reserve, a 42,000 km2 protected area located in northern Mozambique, by providing financial support, training and key equipment to the paid and volunteer

scouts who patrol the Reserve, many of whom are local community members. “

Grant Awarded:1) training and workshops: 1,110 US$2) equipments and goods 2,872 US$

TOTAL 3,982 US$.

Preamble:Niassa National Reserve in northern Mozambique lies adjacent to the border with Tanzania, and straddles the Mozambican provinces of Niassa and Cabo Delgado. The Reserve is vast; covering 42,000 km², not only is it is the largest protected area in Mozambique (and third largest in Africa), it is larger than the Netherlands. This Reserve holds approximately 70% of the nation’s elephant population, and is one of the most important areas in Africa for lion and wild dog. Niassa is also unique in that it has 35,000 people residing across the Reserve, primarily in three core settlements. One of the key objectives of the Reserve is to benefit these communities whilst ensuring successful conservation outcomes, creating a win/win situation.

When FFI first secured the Niassa Reserve, Mozambique was recovering from many years of civil war. As the economy has improved, Mozambique has experienced one of the fastest growing economies in the world, and this has led to changes in the threats experienced in the reserve.

Whilst the Reserve has benefited from its remote location, improved accessibility that has left it vulnerable to increased illegal activity. These external threats are outside the control of project managers.

Opening up NiassaMozambique is experiencing increased investment in resource-extraction. There have been reports of renewed interest in the coal deposits in Niassa Province, and some prospecting has taken place inside the reserve. Media reports indicate that potentially these deposits are extremely large (comparable with the world class deposits in Tete Province) and at least seven companies are exploring the area.

In August 2011 it was reported by media in Mozambique that a group of Brazilian farmers had been granted a concession of 6 million hectares of land in four provinces, including Niassa Province, to cultivate soy, cotton and maize for export.

Positive trends, future concerns

An aerial survey was under taken in October 2011 and the analysis and report is expected in 2012. From evidence presented in the previous (2009) aerial survey, it can be seen that wildlife numbers have stabilised and grown (see tables 1 – 2) in the past 10 years.

The elephant population is estimated to have doubled over the last 12 years to approximately 20,000). In addition research and monitoring through the Reserve has revealed its immense value to two of Africa’s most charismatic carnivores – the lion and African wild dog.

With an estimated population of over 1,000 lions, Niassa represents one of only six such populations in Africa. This importance will only grow with the present negative trend in lion numbers across much of their range.

Similarly with an approximate population of 450 wild dog, Niassa is the third largest population in Africa for this critically endangered species. The ability of these species to utilise an area the size of Niassa National Reserve is one reason for their stability, and it again underpins the immense value of protected area conservation on this scale.

However, these gains are now under severe threat from elephant andbushmeat poaching as well as other forms of commercial resource extraction. Without increased investment into anti-poaching activities, intelligence networks and community programmes it is likely that there will be a reversal of fortune for wildlife in the Reserve.

Tackling the threatsThe threats from illegal activities fall under four main categories:

1. Ivory poaching;2. Bushmeat poaching;3. Illegal timber extraction; and

Table 2: Elephant population growth

Table 1: Total combined wildlife trends in Niassa National Reserve

4. Illegal artisanal mining.

All four are directly related to greater accessibility to the reserve. The major habitats of Niassa are vast, and as such are not under immediate threat. These habitats are monitored in a variety of ways including scout and ranger-based MOMS (Management Oriented Monitoring System).

The 2009 aerial survey showed that logging had become a recent issue in the north-east sector of the reserve and efforts have been made to counter this threat.

Other projects to enhance the conservation of elephant and hippos in Niassa reserve are working on improving management of critically important riparian habitats through community programmes. Baseline surveys have been conducted and we await the impact of these projects on the habitats.

Working towards sustainabilityThe Reserve continues to receive growing revenue from tourism concessions and their operations, which collectively contributes approximately 35% annually towards the minimum operational budget of the Reserve.

A percentage of the revenue generated from tourist concessions is earmarked for communities and is administered through a community fund. In addition reserve staff have encouraged safari companies to offer hunts in community areas where the revenues and meat accrue directly to local communities.

This is important in an area which is affected by tsetse flies as no cattle are able to survive in the reserve – fish and wildlife provide significant protein sources for local people.

A complementary fisheries project aims to lead to the sustainable management of the fisheries on the Lugenda River and this will support both food production and local livelihoods for a significant number of people. Evidence from the fisheries surveys that have been done demonstrate that large numbers of people in Niassa reserve depend on the fisheries resource.

Reserve staff are currently working with local communities to advise in the management of fisheries as well as helping in the long-term development of community conservancies to improve natural resource management in the reserve.

Achievements over the past two years

Camping gear was procured for the 80 strong Scout force to enable them to increase their mobility in response to the increased poaching threat in the reserve (part funded by the Van Tienhoven Foundation).

Uniforms, compasses and laminated maps were provided to the Scouts (part funded by the Van Tienhoven Foundation).

An advanced anti-poaching training programme was identified and implemented using specialists from Tanzania and South Africa (part funded by the Van Tienhoven Foundation).

The digital radio repeater system was installed and commissioned in August 2011. Additional radio equipment - base stations, mobiles and hand held equipment has been received and is currently being commissioned. This is a major boost to the security of Niassa National Reserve,

A solar powered system has been installed and is now running the office and staff quarters.

Additional funding of: o €52,000 from the EU Fisheries Project, o $146,500 from the Liz Claiborne Art Ortenburg Foundation,

and o $75,000 from BHP Billiton

Has been sourced and is currently being used to strengthen all aspects of the reserve’s infrastructure.

The situation in Mozambique is volatile, with great interest from international investors intent on resource extraction, putting Mozambique’s natural resources under unprecedented pressure. Support from the Van Tienhoven Foundation, and others, is helping to mitigate against that threat and has made a real difference to the survival of some of Africa’s most iconic species.