Gorongosa 2024-FULL-FINAL - Flipbook - Page 9
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GORONGOSA SP ECIAL
Welcome to
Gorongosa National Park
Nautilus puts a spotlight on Gorongosa National Park,
a model for biodiversity restoration
BY JOHN STEELE
P H OTO S BY P IOTR NAS KRECKI
G
ORONGOSA NATIONAL PARK , nestled in the heart of
Mozambique, was once a place of thriving biodiversity. Herds
of elephants roamed the savannas, lions hunted the plains,
and colorful birds fluttered through the air. Created in the
1960s, Gorongosa soon became one of the most important game reserves
in Africa. Celebrities like Joan Crawford, John Wayne, and Richard Burton
were regular visitors. But two decades of civil war and poaching took their
toll. The land was left barren, the animals vanished, and the beauty of
Gorongosa faded.
But there were those who would not let it die. The Gorongosa Restoration Project, with tireless efforts, brought new life to the park. They worked
to restore the habitats, control the predators, and support the local communities. And slowly but surely, Gorongosa began to bloom again. The
elephants returned, their trumpets echoing across the savannas. The lions
prowled once more, their roars filling the air. The birds, with their melodic
songs, filled the skies. Gorongosa was alive again, and her beauty was once
more on display.
John Steele is the publisher of Nautilus.
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