Giraffes Return to Iona After 100 Years.

The majestic presence of giraffes has once again filled the horizons of the Iona National Park, in southern Angola, after an absence that lasted for more than a century. A total of 14 of these elegant animals were carefully transported back to the reserve in early July as part of an ambitious effort to repopulate the region.

For over 100 years, the park had lost its native population due to colonial occupation and armed conflicts that swept the region.

Although, regrettably, three individuals were lost during the initial adaptation, this triumphant return of giraffes is cause for celebration by both the local population and the research community, marking the resurgence of a species that has been absent for over a century.

The Return of the Giraffes

The giraffes' exciting journey back to Angola began with a remarkable collaboration between African Parks, the organization responsible for managing Iona National Park, in partnership with the Angolan government and the Giraffe Conservation Foundation.

In a journey that covered an impressive distance of 1.300 kilometres, the imposing animals were transported in specially designed containers from Namibia and across the border to reach their new home in the reserve.

Iona National Park Director Pedro Monterroso, an expert in biodiversity, genetics and evolution, described this moment as an eagerly awaited wait, as giraffes had not been recorded in the region for at least a century. The historical absence of these animals is a mystery that may be linked to human interference during the colonial period.

During the complex transfer, unfortunately, three of the giraffes did not survive, probably due to the stress associated with transport. It is important to note that losses during the transfer of animals are common and not uncommon.

The researchers are committed to learning from these experiences so that in future transport everything goes better. The other eleven giraffes are in excellent physical condition and are being carefully monitored as they explore their new habitat.

The reintegration of giraffes into Iona National Park is crucial for maintaining the local ecosystem. Like rhinos and elephants, giraffes are considered “ecosystem engineers”.

They play a key role in structuring the landscape and dispersing seeds through their herbivore feeding activities and the trails they leave behind, contributing to the restoration of essential biological processes.

Brief History of the Park

The Iona National Park, in addition to being the largest national park in Angola, is a natural treasure located in the southwest of Angola, in the province of Namibe, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Cunene and Curoca rivers, about 200 km from the city of Namibe , covering a vast area of ​​about 15.200 km².

This wildlife sanctuary is an unspoiled haven where nature unfolds in all its magnificence, including ancient sand dunes, stretches of Atlantic coastline and spectacular mountain scenery. It was initially established in 1937 as a Game Reserve and later, in 1964, transformed into a National Park.

The park is especially known for being the main habitat of Welwitschia mirabilis, a fascinating plant that is often called a “living fossil” as it has existed since the time of dinosaurs. In addition, the park is also home to the Palanca-negra, an emblematic species, a symbol of Angola.

Since the beginning of 2020, the park has been under the management of African Parks, a non-profit NGO that manages 17 natural parks in 11 different countries, in collaboration with the Angolan government.

Iona National Park does not intend to stop here. The successful return of giraffes inspires ambitious plans to further increase the population of these majestic animals and reintroduce other species to the region. These collaborative efforts aim to contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and restore the natural balance in Angola.

Conclusion

The reintroduction of native giraffes in the Iona National Park marks a historic moment for the conservation of fauna and flora in Angola. Despite the challenges faced during transport, the perseverance and dedication of those involved resulted in the successful return of these magnificent creatures to their homeland after a hiatus of over 100 years.

This is a testament to human ability to restore what has been lost and to preserve the unique beauty of African wildlife.

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Picture: © DR