Conservation and Community Ventures Jeopardized (6-minute Video)

Over the past twenty years, the organizations operating in the eastern concession blocks of Niassa Special Reserve, straddling Niassa and Cabo Delgado Provinces, Kambako, Luwire, Chuilexi Conservancy, and Mariri/Niassa Carnivore Project, have made one of the largest and longest-standing investments in conservation and rural development in Mozambique.

Together, these organizations protect over 17,842 km² of wilderness in Niassa across eight concessions, supporting wildlife and people across 28 villages with 14,649 residents.

They provide active biodiversity conservation for globally important populations of 800-1000 lions and at least 350 African wild dogs, as well as recovering populations of elephants, buffalo, sable, and more.

They are among the largest employers in the Mecula District, supporting thousands of households through salaries, schooling, social services, training, and opportunities for youth.

In April 2025, Kambucko Safari Camp and Mariri Environmental Centre were savagely attacked, resulting in ten people killed, two anti-poaching scouts missing, nine tourism and conservation camps abandoned, and one destroyed, twenty-two ranger posts either abandoned or only partially operational, tourist and hunting trips cancelled, community fields abandoned and conservation work and environmental education, halted.

ISIS Mozambique claimed responsibility for the attack online.