Tags
birds, Civil War, Gorongosa, Gorongosa Coffee, Greg Carr, Mozambique, philanthropy, Recovery, Senator Jim Risch, Senator Mike Crapo, Shade-grown Coffee, sustainable agriculture, wildlife, Zoo Boise
The story of Gorongosa National Park (GNP) is one of tragedy and triumph. It parallels the story of Mozambique and it leads the way for the future of the country, which was under some form of Portuguese control from the 1500s until the end of a ten-year battle for independence in 1975.
As early as 1920, the Gorongosa region was recognized for its beauty and abundance of game animals. Troubles for the GNP and the country did not end with independence from Portugal. Shortly after independence, civil war racked the country until 1992. The civil war was a blood bath for the people, the wildlife, and the environment. Millions were killed, maimed, displaced, and traumatized. Wildlife that survived battlefield death either starved or were harvested for food and resources like ivory that could fund the war machine.
In 2008, GNP, the government of Mozambique, and the Greg Carr Foundation signed an agreement for joint management of the Park with the dual goals of restoring its former ecological and environmental splendor, and as a model of modern conservation practices. Although political unrest continues to plague the country, the park has been a central stabilizing force. More than 200,000 people live in the area of impact around the park; most farm small plots of land. GNP has introduced new techniques to improve crop yields and to win over the hearts and minds of their neighbors. By introducing the idea of sustainable tourism as a means for economic development, the park has provided jobs for hundreds of Mozambicans who work in construction, guest services, and as highly trained park rangers and guides.
It takes a lot of work to maintain the park and guest accommodations
Under protection of the government and dedicated park rangers, the animals are making a comeback. (My own Zoo Boise contributes a portion of their proceeds to fund the Park)
The pillar behind these successes, is native Idahoan, Greg Carr, a philanthropist who made his millions in the tech industry. He turned his brilliance, money, and abundant energy towards humanitarian issues, the crown jewel being GNP. His goals are to:
- Protect the earth’s biological heritage,
- Increase scientific understanding,
- Enable nature-centered media creation for education and inspiration,
- Create good jobs for people who live near the Park, and
- Enrich visitors with adventure, aesthetic and spiritual experiences.
In an effort to achieve the first goal, GNP established an innovative agroforestry initiative with socio-economic and environmental benefits. Gorongosa Mountain was once covered in a tropical rainforest; part of a rainforest that used to extend across the continent, supporting an explosion of wildlife. What trees weren’t ravaged by war, were burned off by farmers who replaced them with cash crops like corn. Now the mountain is being replanted with endemic trees. Below the canopy of tall trees, shade-loving Arabica coffee trees are the source of a new economy. The lives of neighboring farmers are being enriched as they tap into the coffee bean market and develop new sustainable farming methods. Research into animal and bird behavior is ongoing.
On our drive through Gorongosa Villa and along the long, bumpy road to the mountain, I felt like a rodeo queen being celebrated by adoring fans as little children ran up to the road from their nearby homes or fields, waving and yelling animated welcomes to the tourists. I think they wanted candy, too.
During my stay at GNP, the big event of the week was the arrival of “The Senators.” Great effort went into welcoming Idaho Senators Risch and Crapo and their wives. The warthog wrangler had to clear the landing strip of pesky warthogs prior to the arrival of The Senators’ airplane.
The arrival
Greg Carr personally invited all his guests to a large dinner party out by the firepit, with local staff leading the crowd in singing and dancing after the meal. The baboons and monkeys headed for the trees. I’m not sure what happened to the Senators. I saw one of them looking a little sheepish as he was pulled into the dancing line.
Rangewriter 
I smiled at the idea of a warthog handler. It is good to see the numbers of the animal population being recorded. Thanks to volunteers and philanthropist Greg Carr’s support.
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It is really heartening to see a wealthy man like Carr put his money to use for something besides his own vanity. He lives simply. A good deal of the time he lives right there at the park. He shows up to breakfast in shorts & t-shirt and often barefoot to greet his guests and make sure they are enjoying their stay. A humble man with power. We need more like him.
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After just reading about plans the idiot in the White House has for “improving” our (the U.S.) great national parks, I hope that clearer heads can prevail. I love Greg Carr’s goals and I would love to see them implemented world-wide.
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I just hope the Dems can pull themselves together and present a worthy candidate who can unite a torn nation. But my expectations, given what I see, are abysmally low. I don’t know if the world can survive another 4 (8? 12?) years.
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Hi Linda, as you can see I am still around and I love following your adventures in Africa. It is always heartening to read about stories like this of GNP: A visionary with resources improves the life of countless people! Oh, and in my next life I want to be a warthog wrangler too 😀
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Sandra, it means a lot to me that you enjoy my posts about Africa. I didn’t even scratch the surface of the culture, history, politics, and beauty of the country, so my posts about it risk inaccuracy and shallowness.
Not sure I’d want to be a warthog wrangler…that one aspect of their lives does look kind of fun, but their day to day lives are a lot of work!
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So heart-warming to know that there are rich men able to make a difference in a positive way. Hope your fellow countrymen can manage to put right all the damage being done to your beautiful country by powerful idiots.
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I fear there aren’t enough honest & principled rich men in the world to undo the stripping of 3 decades of efforts to save the world. 😦 Hanging my head in shame and despair.
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