Maputo Special Reserve was created in 1932, with an aim to preserve and protect the population of the Elephants in the area. The purpose of the park was further expanded to protect the other mammal species and the growing biodiversity. It plays a significant role in the protection of the areas of Mozambique as it conserves the biodiversity of the areas of coastal zone lying in the Maputaland Centre and provides a linkage between coastal, inland and marine regions. It is house to 350 African elephants, crocodiles, small bucks, antelope and zebra. The Mozambican Minister of tourism opened its headquarters in 2014.The headquarters includes two entrance gates one at the Gala and the other at Futi.
The reserve plays an important component of Lubombo TFCA, which consists of five TFCAs between Swaziland, South Africa and Mozambique. The total area covered by the park is 1040 square kilometers that includes wetlands, swamps, grasslands, mangrove forests and lakes. It is also a part of Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany biodiversity making it the part of the earth’s 25 biologically richest regions and is the most endangered ecoregions. The management of the reserve is working together with community development strategy to bring sustainable economic development and develop nature-based tourism.
Image Source : Flickr│Andrew Ashton