Continuing to build on the success of the partnership which was established to support the Government of Mozambique in conservation and counter-poaching efforts, the GEOS Foundation, the Environmental Management and Conservation Trust (formerly the Dyck Advisory Group) and Peace Parks Foundation are stepping up their endeavours to curb the escalating and destructive wildlife crime in and around key Mozambique Protected Areas. In the long-term it is envisaged that this partnership will extend over Limpopo, Zinave, and Banhine National Parks, and the Maputo Special Reserve with Ponta do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve, as well as the area known as the Greater Libombos Conservancy.

It is also noteworthy that 2020 saw the Environmental Management and Conservation Trust expand operations into Malawi, providing technical advice to the Park Wardens to improve law enforcement in Nyika National Park. It is anticipated that the Rapid Response Unit will be complemented by four tracker dogs and a helicopter.

Commencing Mozambique operations with a focus on Limpopo National Park to manage and contain the threat that the shared border of roughly 220 miles with wildlife-rich Kruger National Park entails; and the Maputo Special Reserve with Ponta do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve and it's vulnerable coastline; the partnership successfully treads a sensitive line of counter-poaching support, technical advice, and law enforcement, whilst seeking to maintain the delicate balance with communities living in and around the protected areas and their utilisation of natural resources.

Highlights of the reporting period include:

• Restriction of movement and disruption of the supply chain due to COVID-19 has resulted in low poaching numbers of key species, South African rhino poaching halves in six months due to COVID-19 lockdown although Limpopo National Park has experienced challenges due to poisoning and increased poaching for meat.

• Training in basic Human Rights has been undertaken by field rangers and senior staff in Limpopo and Zinave National Parks, and partially completed in Maputo Special Reserve with remaining staff and Banhine National Park to do training once the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

• Upgrade of the house for the Environmental Management and Conservation Trust (EMCT) personnel in Maputo Special Reserve has been completed.