As part of the celebrations of International Rangers’ Day, the inauguration ceremony of the Pangolin Rescue, Rehabilitation and Release Center was held on July 31, 2025, at Chimanimani National Park (CNP). This facility is dedicated to strengthening the conservation of one of the most threatened species in the world.

The event was led by His Excellency Gustavo Sobrinho Dgedge, Secretary of State for Land and Environment, and took place in the context of the handover of a set of infrastructures built with the support of the MozBio 2 project, funded by the World Bank. Among the facilities delivered were type 1 and 2 staff houses, a conference room, a cafeteria, an operations room, a visitor center, and a solar plant, all of which enhance the park’s management and operational capacity.

The Pangolin Rehabilitation Center was built under the project “Rescue, Rehabilitation and Release of Pangolins in CNP”, funded by bio Card, an initiative of the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND), in partnership with Commercial Investment Bank (BCI). This center represents a significant milestone in national efforts to combat wildlife trafficking and strengthens CNP’s capacity to protect biodiversity.

In his speech, the Secretary of State highlighted the role of partners in making the initiative possible, stating: “Our gratitude extends to BCI, BIOFUND and Fauna & Flora for their support in the design of the pangolin rescue, rehabilitation and release center through the Bio Card.”

The occasion was also marked by a moment of recognition and appreciation for forest and wildlife rangers, with awards presented  to the five rangers who stood out the most during 2024 under the Rangers Support Fund, also known as the Dr. Carlos Lopes Pereira Fund. This initiative, implemented by BIOFUND in collaboration with the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC), aims to recognize the bravery, dedication, and commitment of rangers in protecting Mozambique’s conservation areas.

In this edition, rangers Peregrino Fernando (Chimanimani National Park), Tembo Singano (Gorongosa National Park), Emilda Mudau (Maputo National Park), Mário Cristóvão (Mariri Environmental Center), and António Fombe (Niassa Special Reserve) were distinguished for their outstanding contribution to biodiversity conservation in the country.

The ceremony highlighted not only the progress in infrastructure and conservation innovation but also the fundamental role of rangers, who often, under challenging conditions, dedicate their lives to safeguarding the country’s natural resources.