The national parks of Maputo and Zinave, received a total of 101 antelopes, as part of the wildlife rehabilitation projects in these conservation areas.

The animals are the result of a donation from the Vilanculos Wild Sanctuary, a conservation area under private management in the province of Inhambane, southern Mozambique, said the Administrator of the Maputo National Park, Miguel Gonçalves, quoted today by the Mozambican Information Agency (AIM) and Lusa.

Of the total 101 antelopes, Maputo National Park received 26 on Wednesday and Zinave National Park received 75 a week ago in an operation supported by the South African Peace Parks foundation.

"We are pleased with the arrival of the eland [world's largest antelope] and right now the main challenge we have is to ensure the safe fencing of the park, besides there are still resident communities here inside. We are convincing partners for the reintroduction of Cheetahs and other carnivores to ensure balance," said Maputo National Park Administrator.

The Maputo National Park was created following the requalification of the Maputo Special Reserve and the Ponta do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve in December 2021, and is located in the Matutuíne district in the Maputo province.

Zinave National Park, located in Inhambane province, southern Mozambique, has 408,000 hectares and was decimated after Mozambique's 16-year civil war, and since 2016 has been benefiting from wildlife rehabilitation projects promoted with support from Peace Parks.