The Liuwa-Mussuma ecosystem was identified in 2002 as a potential TFCA by Peace Parks Foundation, straddling 14 464 km2 across the borders of Angola and Zambia (see Figure 1), within the Zambezi River catchment and the Barotseland Floodplains. This selection was motivated by the value perceived in the wildebeest and zebra migration between the two countries, known to be the second largest of its kind in Africa. Although a Memorandum of Understanding pertaining the protection of this area was drafted between both governments, it is still pending signature and implementation to date.
On the Angolan side, the TFCA could potentially link into a much larger conservation area spanning north up to Cameia National Park and creating a corridor that is critical to facilitate safe dispersal and genetic exchange for wide-ranging carnivores and other wildlife across the Bulozi/Barotse Floodplains. Due to severe bush meat hunting pressure during the Angolan civil war and post-war years, the area currently hosts very low-density populations of large and medium sized mammals. Nevertheless, in recent years, there has been an increase in records of large carnivores being monitored in Zambia that cross the border with Angola, demonstrating transboundary carnivore populations and connectivity between the two countries. Securing this connectivity is vital for the sustainability of these large carnivore’ populations.
The CCI, together with the Angola National Institute for Biodiversity and Conservation and the Moxico province environment department, is currently focused on determining the potential of the area for recovery of wildlife populations on the Angolan side and thereby informing the political decision-making process to formally establish the transboundary Liuwa-Mussuma TFCA. Our work will further provide scientifically sound baseline information on resident wildlife populations as well as on local community needs to assist the TFCA’s wildlife management planning process for sustainable utilization of natural resources and wildlife recovery.
We have a 10 year MOU, signed in 2022, with the Angolan government, mandating CCI to do this important work.
The CCI supports one project in the landscape:
Baseline Surveys For The Potential Development Of A National Park & Liuwa-Mussuma Tfca
