EMCT, in partnership with PPF and in support of Mozambique's National Administration for Conservation Areas (ANAC), oversees all Limpopo National Park (LNP) counter-poaching operations from a central Forward Operating Base (FOB) based at Massingir Vehlo in the Intensive Protection Zone (IPZ) of the Park.

The FOB is the centre of all counter-poaching information, data, and control. A satellite internet system was installed at the offices to improve communications, coordination, and overall management efficiency.

There is a permanent, dedicated EMCT ground staff component on site as well as 22 LNP Scouts, and six Lion Protection Unit Scouts whose main purpose is to detect and deter any poaching activity, especially poisoning, of lions as well as to assist with potential Human Wildlife Conflict involving the presence of lions around village areas inside and outside the park.

The continued successful area domination of the Park's IPZ along the Kruger National Park (KNP) border led to a seven-month (September 2019 – March 2020) period with only two recorded incidents of high value wildlife poacher trafficking between KNP and LNP.

A Great Limpopo TFCA Security meeting was held in Skukuza where positive feedback was received on LNP's efforts and achievements to halt the poacher insurgency into Kruger National Park (KNP).

Although the poaching figures for 2020 in KNP have not yet been officially released, it can be noted that there was a 24% reduction in rhino poached in KNP from 421 in 2018 to 321 in 2019, which has largely been attributed to improved collaboration and results in cross-boundary counter-poaching operations.

To date, 78 poachers have been arrested in and around KNP compared to 174 in the same period last year. The figures for elephant poached in KNP also showed a significant drop, demonstrating the positive impact that EMCT is having in disrupting poaching activities. The FOB has created a barrier between KNP and communities, successfully stopping the free flow of rhino poacher movement.

The helicopter plays a vital role where restricted vehicle access and limited road distribution in the dense landscape hinder the ease of deployment to various poacher hotspot areas, as well as providing rangers confidence in timeous support when needed.

For example, during an incident, the helicopter arrived timeously to save the lives of a patrol team by physically separating and deterring an armed community mob from continuing to attack the patrol team.

The patrol team managed to escape without further harm and still managed to retain custody of an arrested poacher. A ranger with a serious head injury, due to mob aggression, was heli-lifted to hospital for immediate treatment.

While the patrols from the savannah aircraft have increased, the rebuilt EMCT Bathawk has additionally returned to LNP again on 30 June after being away for two and a half months. Aerial patrols have proved challenging due to restricted movement of the pilots during COVID-19.

It was found that roadblocks and boat patrols have less of an impact than resources spent on track detection zones in and around villages at this stage.

The average for snares and gin traps recovered are showing a marginal drop as well as number of arrests made. Depending on the duration of COVID-19, the economic impact may drive more villagers to bush meat poaching.

Payment of fines remains a challenge and can be linked to the socio-economic situation whereby poachers just do not have the money to pay and instead serve jail time.

Of concern, remains the increase in Human Wildlife Conflict cases, and the increased use of poisoning. Unfortunately, two poisoning incidents have occurred this year in which 15 and 63 vultures succumbed respectively. These have been included in the "Animals Poached" statistic in Table 1 below which has raised the average number per month significantly compared to 2019.

Two new PPF-procured Landcruisers were delivered, one of which was allocated to the specialised Human Wildlife Conflict (HWC) Unit who are experiencing a rise in HWC incidents since the predators have been returning to the landscape – although those participating in the Park's Herding for Health programme have not experienced any livestock losses from predation.

A total of 98 LNP staff attended training in basic Human Rights through SAWC. It is anticipated that refresher courses will be conducted annually.

In alignment with PPF's policy of capacity building at project level, a Field Ranger is undertaking a one-year natural resource management certificate course at SAWC. However this is likely to extend into the next year due to COVID-19.