Macossa-Tambara Lions

The Macossa-Tambara Ecosystem forms the western sector of the Greater Gorongosa-Marromeu Lion Recovery Unit in central Mozambique. And our team bring multiple decades of experience in lion recovery and restoration of ecosystems in this region. 

 

Prior to Macossa-Tambara, our team helped forge the recovery of indigenous lions in the Greater Gorongosa-Marromeu Lion Recovery Unit focusing our work in an adjacent national park lying on the south-eastern boundary of where we work today. When we began our work in the national park, lions were facing certain extinction with 1-in-3 either maimed or killed due to the rampant poaching and lack of community involvement in their protection. Our decade-long mission there alongside wildlife rangers and community leaders eventually turned the tide for lions and culminated in raising the number of lions from 30 to over 220.​ Because lions are such key species, their recovery in turn helped usher in the recovery of endangered painted dogs and leopards - both efforts successfully led by our team.

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Today, an estimated 50+ lions find refuge in the Macossa-Tambara. And we know that with its large and intact Miombo woodlands, and riverine and savanna habitats, and its shared boundary with corridors connecting to an adjacent national park, this landscape has enormous potential to support a larger and more robust lion population. From experience, we also know that the most effective path to lion recovery is when communities lead from the very beginning.

 

In 2023, we joined forces with the Wildlife Conservation Network's Lion Recovery Fund on behalf of lions and to work towards a thriving Greater Gorongosa-Marromeu Lion Recovery Unit. From training and supporting wildlife rangers, to strengthening Community Natural Resources Management Committees, to working in partnership with the people living closest to these lands - we know we can make a positive difference for imperiled species such as the African lion.