The Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND) recently participated in the Gala Celebrating the 15th Anniversary of the National Administration for Conservation Areas (ANAC), a moment dedicated to recognising the progress achieved in biodiversity conservation in Mozambique and reaffirming the shared commitment to protecting the country’s natural heritage.

The ceremony brought together Government representatives, cooperation partners, co-management entities, the private sector, civil society organisations, managers of Conservation Areas, and other stakeholders who have contributed over the past 15 years to strengthening Mozambique’s National Conservation Areas System.

One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of the preliminary results of the 2025 National Elephant and Large Mammal Census, an exercise led by ANAC in partnership with BIOFUND and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and funded by Sweden. Designed to generate robust scientific information on the status of wildlife in the country, the census assessed the abundance, distribution, and population trends of elephants and other large mammal species, providing essential data to guide conservation policies and strategies.

The results reveal encouraging signs of wildlife recovery in Mozambique, with an estimated population of approximately 21,700 elephants—more than double the number recorded in 2018—as well as a significant reduction in the number of carcasses, a positive indicator of the effectiveness of anti-poaching efforts.

During the gala, BIOFUND was awarded a Certificate of Merit by ANAC in recognition of its role in strengthening the financial sustainability of conservation in Mozambique. The distinction highlights the Foundation’s contribution to the development and consolidation of the National Conservation Areas Network through resource mobilisation, support for the management of protected areas, and the promotion of initiatives that ensure biodiversity conservation for present and future generations.

Upon receiving the award, BIOFUND reiterated its commitment to continue working closely with ANAC, the Government, local communities, education and research institutions, as well as conservation and development partners, contributing to increasingly effective, sustainable, and inclusive conservation efforts in Mozambique.