Parque Nacional da Gorongosa Moçambique

"In August 1968 on arrival at Gorongosa, which was to be my base for the next four years, I was faced with the task of determining the ecological limits of the national park. All previous boundary limits had been arbitrary or political, i.e., straight lines, roads or rivers, and the authorities were concerned about space requirements for seasonal wildlife migrations, the sufficiency of wildlife habitats, and the constant pressure by companies and tribal cultivators for park land.

A prerequisite for ecological research is the use of a light aircraft for studying geomorphology, seasonal changes in habitats, and for air census of the larger wildlife species. To prove its efficacy to the Mozambique authorities, I arranged with Paul Dutton (then Ranger-in-Charge of the Ndumu Game Reserve in Zululand) who has his own highwing Piper aircraft, to initiate the air studies in 1968. As Mozambique at this time of year is covered by a dense pall of smoke from veldt fires, Paul and Ann Dutton flying in from Zululand were only able to find the Park's main camp (Chitengo) by navigating at tree-top level up the Pungue River from the coast! In this way the first air count of wildlife in Mozambique was made.

The report emanating from this air survey also highlighted the crucial part played by the Gorongosa Mountain in providing the perennial surface water which traversed the heart of the park ecosystem. This historic air survey and the resulting report had the desired effect of enthusing the authorities to provide a light aircraft for all ensuing research in the territory, and twice a year for air census of Gorongosa and the Marromeu Buffalo Reserve in the Zambeze Delta. Soon after, the first air count of the legendary buffalo herd of Marromeu in the Zambeze Delta was made in December 1968."

- Kenneth Tinley