Historical and current distribution and movement patterns of large herbivores in the Limpopo National Park, Mozambique

This study provides a first attempt to describe the historical distribution and movement patterns of selected large herbivore (LH) species in Limpopo National Park (LNP), an area Mozambique today connected network transboundary conservation areas. Between 1976 early 2000s, most LH were absent this following civil war followed by intense poaching due weak law enforcement capacity. Through reconstruction current seven five periods, we investigate possible changes over time. Data collection is based on systematic literature search, censuses reports, online databases, dung count transects, camera trap surveys. We mapped all observations movements using ArcGIS 10.1. Our results reveal dramatic collapse populations between peak colonial period post-colonial/civil (1800–2001), slight recovery from post-proclamation Great Transfrontier (2002–2021). While population decline applied species, there are species-specific differences process restoration: African elephant ( Loxodonta africana ), buffalo Syncerus caffer plains zebra Equus quagga ) appear recover greater extent than giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis eland Tragelaphus oryx blue wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus white rhino Ceratotherium simum ). found evidence functioning proposed wildlife corridors LNP. The give reason assume that restoration still very vulnerable state further efforts necessary strengthen slowly increasing LH. highlight importance combining past data as guide for threatened savannas impacted human activities.