Riccardo Liguori Scientists are fighting to protect it from deforestation and hunting, discovering new species and inspiring a community-based conservation model
@Canva
Nestled among the mountains of northern Mozambique, spanning 47 miles, Mabu is the largest rainforest in southern Africa.
Known as the “island in the sky” due to its elevated position above the Mozambican plains, Mabu holds ancient secrets. Secluded from the world, this forest has long been a refuge for unique creatures and a delicate ecosystem.
Discovery and exploration
Mabu, a natural paradise and open-air laboratory for scientists and environmentalists, was discovered only two decades ago through expeditions led by Julian Bayliss, an explorer and ecologist.
While examining satellite images of northern Mozambique, Bayliss noticed an unknown green spot.
From that moment, he began to reveal to the world an extraordinary variety of species previously unknown to science.
Since then, Bayliss has discovered over 25 new species of chameleons, butterflies, and snakes, as well as new dung beetles, freshwater fish, and small mammals yet to be officially recognized.
The geographic isolation of the forest has prevented its animals from encountering and interbreeding with other species. This isolation increases the likelihood that they might evolve into something unique and new to science, explained Jonah Fishe, a BBC journalist who visited the forest.
However, the definitive identification process of a new species can take years. This is because it involves writing a peer-reviewed article in a journal where the differences between the new discovery and its closest relatives are outlined and accepted by other scientists.
The race against time to save Mabu
While scientists celebrate each new discovery, Mabu faces growing challenges. Deforestation, illegal hunting, and climate change threaten this fragile ecosystem. Larger animals, such as buffaloes, lions, and rhinoceroses, have long disappeared, victims of civil war and indiscriminate hunting.
Scientific expeditions to Mabu aim not only to find new species but also to ensure that some of Africa’s rarest birds are still alive. This is the case of the Namuli apalis, a high-altitude bird that could become extinct due to deforestation and global warming.
However, hope is not lost. Thanks to the commitment of researchers, environmentalists, and local communities, Mabu is becoming a model of conservation.
Pejul Calenga, the general director of Mozambique’s protected areas, told the BBC journalist that Mabu will be transformed into a protected area managed by the local community, which has always depended on it for sustenance.
This means that logging and mining will not be allowed, but the local population, which relies on the forest for its livelihood, will be able to manage and use it.
A green future for Mabu and Mozambique
Protecting Mabu is an important step towards Mozambique’s goal of protecting 30% of its territory by 2030. It is an ambitious but necessary commitment to preserve the extraordinary natural wealth of Mozambique.
