The recovery of wildlife in Coutada 11 in Mozambique has been spectacular. Since Zambezi Delta Safaris started operating in 1992, the buffalo population in the Zambezi Delta region has increased from about 2 300 to around 20 000. Sable numbers are now up to 6 000 from a low of 44. It is now one of the greatest concentrations of the species in Africa today. Waterbuck, zebra, hartebeest and other smaller game species have also dramatically increased in numbers.
The capacity to generate money through safari hunting enables Zambezi Delta Safaris to invest in the area. If the company cannot turn a profit, there is no incentive to be there at all.
Through their tireless efforts, an expanse of Africa almost one and a half times the famed Masai Mara's size has been rehabilitated.
Few people worldwide would have heard of Mark Haldane and Zambezi Delta Safaris as neither they nor the area has media celebrity status. Because safari hunting is vilified by mainstream media, it is likely to remain that way.
