Chipanje Chetu is a protected area of 6,500 km2 neighbouring the Niassa Special Reserve (NSR) and forming part of the Niassa-Selous Transfrontier Conservation Area. The site therefore plays an important part in the landscape over which the NSR lion population resides. It is estimated that Chipanje Chetu is home to a population of approximately 50 lions which is material in terms of the Niassa and national lion population statistics.

Since predators such as lions have large ranges, lions protected in NSR could also cross into Chipanje Chetu. Understanding spatial ecology is a vital constituent of predator conservation (Lehmann et al, 2008). The request for funding will be an extension to the grant that LRF issued through the Niassa Carnivore Project. The grant will fund anti-poaching and lion monitoring efforts in three identified intensive protection zones of around 500 km2 each where lion prides are most vulnerable.

Poaching of wildlife, for bushmeat and for sale of animal products, remains the single biggest threat to the future viability of the Chipanje Chetu Community-based natural resource management of the area. In the last year alone, patrols picked up over 100 snares every month. Increases in the poaching of lions for teeth and claws in the Niassa has been observed (Everatt, 2019). Lipilichi Wilderness has, therefore, made anti-poaching efforts a major priority. Lipilichi employs a team of 48 Gorongosa-certified field scouts who are responsible for company security, anti-poaching, and human-wildlife conflict management. The force has 15 years of operational experience in the area with excellent knowledge of the landscape and the local communities.

To improve the effectiveness of our anti-poaching patrols and HWC programs, we require a vehicle to assist with the deployment of patrols and hope to collar lions, equip, and train scouts on SMART, and employ a manager to oversee the anti-poaching administration and ecological monitoring and reporting. This digitalisation/formalisation of data collection is critical for tracking lion population trends and anti-poaching efforts. This allows us to have metrics comparable to previous years and those of NSR. Developing such strategies in Chipanje Chetu will allow for lion conservation at a wider landscape level. Altogether these strategies will support the ultimate goal: to stop the illegal killing of lions and protect source populations.

The LRF grant for the Chipanje Chetu is an extension of the existing grant for the lion coalition project across the NSR landscape – home to some of the largest populations of African lions. Being the western neighbour to the NSR, Chipanje Chetu plays a vital role in landscape conservation continuity. With COVID-19, the Northern Mozambiquan insurgency and climate change threatening the communities’ incomes from tourism and agriculture, strategies to reduce illegal killing and create alternative livelihoods are critical. The funding will increase the anti-poaching teams’ (48 game scouts) efficiency through SMART training, vehicle power, the use of Earth Ranger and lion collaring.

With LRF, the lions of NSR and Chipanje Chetu will be better understood, monitored, and protected, whilst up-skilling community members.