Took place on Wednesday, March 04 at Hotel Meliã, in Maputo City the launch of the campaign with the title “Poaching Steals from Us All“.

It is a campaign designed by the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC) and the non-governmental organization WILDAID, in order to raise awareness in society for the prevention and combating of poaching. As ambassadors, the campaign includes Joaquim Chissano, former President of the Republic, the musicians Stewart Sukuma, Lizha James and King Sweet. The Foundation for Biodiversity Conservation (BIOFUND) and other non-governmental organisations, which take care of biodiversity conservation, have joined the initiative.

In the opening session of the launch of the campaign, the Minister of Land and Environment highlighted the importance of biodiversity conservation by pointing out that, used in a sustainable way, species of fauna and flora can contribute significantly to the economic and social development of the country. Former President Joaquim Chissano, reinforced this thought by stating that “…to conserve the fauna is to conserve our own environment”.

The campaign is launched as part of the World Wildlife Day Celebration, which takes place on 3^rd of  March each year, a date decreed by the United Nations (UN), with the aim of celebrating the multiplicity of species on a planetary level, as well as warning of the danger that threatens the world’s fauna and flora

BIOFUND’s participation is also related to the PROMOVE Biodiversity project, focusing on Zambezia and Nampula provinces, in partnership with the European Union (EU), which includes strengthening the management capacity of some Conservation Areas, with emphasis on improving monitoring and patrol capacity.