Within the scope of the CAPMOZ project (Capacity building towards the implementation of an EcoHealth framework in Northern Mozambique), funded by the FCT-AKDN programme, researchers Eduardo Ferreira and João Carvalho, from the Wildlife Unit, CESAM / DBIO at the University of Aveiro are on the first mission of the project in Mozambique.
Between the 9th and 13th of May, they visited the Niassa Special Reserve (REN) where they met with the team from REN, the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Mozambique (project partner) .
Accompanied by colleagues from REN, they visited the areas of the reserve where research and training tasks will be implemented, together with the other project partners, namely the Pedagogical University of Maputo and the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon.
During this period, CESAM researchers carried out a survey of the logistical and scientific challenges relating to the implementation of research and training actions, which will involve researchers from different entities and students from Mozambican partners, in what is still one of the most remote and pristine mountains of Mozambique.
During this year, training and research activities will take place in Southern Mozambique, although project activities in the Niassa Special Reserve are expected to take place in 2025.
The REN team also facilitated contact with some of the concessionaires in this conservation area with more than 40 thousand km², making it possible to visit the villages in the Mecula district, where activities will be carried out with the communities.
Over the next few days, researchers from CESAM and UA will be in Maputo, for a series of meetings with the team from the Pedagogical University of Maputo, visiting the facilities of this university and the natural areas where the project will be implemented.