Talks to open wildlife corridors between South Africa, Mozambique, and eSwatini ‘advanced’ – : Isimangaliso Wetland Park

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Talks to open wildlife corridors between South Africa, Mozambique, and eSwatini ‘advanced’ – : Isimangaliso Wetland Park

7:15 CAT | 05 Jun 2025

FILE - For illustration purposes onlyThe iSimangaliso (St Lucia) Wetland Park covers one of the largest estuarine systems in Africa, and the world heritage site encompasses a 220km-long strip of coastal lowlands, including the St Lucia estuary itself, the surrounding mosaic of swamps, woodlands, grasslands and dune forest, as well as a marine reserve of beaches, offshore marine environments and coral reefs. . [File photo: Isimangaliso Wetland Park]

Isimangaliso Wetland Park says talks to open wildlife corridors between South Africa, Mozambique, and eSwatini are at an advanced stage.

The entity’s CEO, Sibusiso Bukhosini, says the plan will allow animals to roam freely between the three countries, to help tackle ecological issues, such as the illegal harvesting of fish.

“Isimangaliso is extending from South Africa to Mozambique, which basically means that Maputo National Park is now going to be, once the process is finalised, declared as a World Heritage Site as well. Now, this means that there is going to be an even more extended relationship between the two countries where we are going to see conservation being performed in South Africa, as well as Mozambique.”

Bukhosini says they’re also working on a plan to try to artificially manage the St Lucia Estuary.

READ: Mozambique’s Maputo National Park and nesting sea turtles highlighted in World Heritage nomination push

He says water from back-flooded rivers is flowing into farms because the river mouth has been closed for too long, creating ecological and socio-economic challenges.

“ I must reiterate and emphasise that the issue of draining water from the currently inundated farms is not a long-lasting solution.

“What we do need is to see government working with us as an entity in ensuring that these communities get alternative land where they can farm without being obstructed by water, because water when it comes, regardless of whatever measures that we’re going to make, is still going to have an adverse impact on the farms.”

Source: East Coast Radio