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Vilanculos and the Bazaruto Archipelego
About 55 km off the mainland, the Bazaruto Archipelago consists of five islands: Bazaruto, Magaruque,
Santa Carolina, Benguera (Benguerra) and Bangue. In 1971, the Portuguese bestowed national park status
on the area to protect its fragile fauna. Small herds of red duiker antelope still roam the islands,
carving out a precarious existence alongside freshwater crocodiles and samango monkeys. The choppy reefs
are fertile breeding grounds for turtles, dolphins and dugongs.
To keep environmental damage to a minimum, visitors stay at one of several private lodges, which offer
excellent scuba diving, deep-sea fishing and sailing. The islands are covered by large sand dunes
(the sand is so soft it squeaks beneath your feet) and freshwater lakes, which are nesting grounds for
beautiful black-winged flamingos. Trips to the Islands or typically taken by dhow (Arab-style sailing boat)
from the mainland towns of Vilanculos.
Sustainable Tourism
Vilanculos Coastal Wildlife Sanctuary. The Overseas Private Investment Corporation is helping to finance this
$10 million coastal and wildlife eco-tourism project in Mozambique's Bazaruto Archipelago. Backed by the Global
Environmental Facility, the International Finance Corporation, and the International Union for the Conservation
of Nature and Natural Resources, the Sanctuary has followed world standards with regard to social and
environmental issues. The project will provide economic development from tourism and job creation, and
community development, including a health clinic, school, and housing.
Wildlife and Environmental Issues
The coasts harbor a mix of mangroves, vast offshore coral reefs, and sea grass beds that provide food resources
and habitat for seabird colonies, nesting sea turtles, and numerous fishes. The Bazaruto National Park, is home
to over 100 individual dugongs (Dugong dugon), and five species of nesting sea turtles with several species of
dolphins (Family, Delphinidae) and the southern right whale (Eubalaena australis). DIVERSE ASSEMBLAGE OF SPECIES,
INCLUDING SOME ENDEMISM.
Selected Species:
Fish include
- shallow-water Cape hake (Merluccius capensis)
- blackhand sole (Solea bleekeri)
- yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares)
- albacore (T. alalunga)
This region is inhabited by
- Dugong (Dugong dugon)
- several species of dolphins (Family, Delphinidae)
- porpoises (Family, Phocoenidae)
- breeding southern right whale (Eubalaena australis)
Five species of sea turtles breed in this region, including
- leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea)
- loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta)
- green turtles (Chelonia mydas)
- Here also exist
- hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata)
- olive ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea)
General Threats: Loss of mangrove forests, siltation of coral reefs, destructive fishing practices (e.g., use of
fine mesh nets and dynamite), and over fishing pose threats to these habitats. Poor rural sewage treatment leads
to contamination, while poor farming practices and deforestation contribute to sedimentation and degradation of
seagrasses and coral reefs. High levels of sedimentation have significantly altered the ecology of Zambezi River
delta - a major river that drains into these marine waters. High levels of traffic associated with crude oil
transport from the Arabian Gulf have resulted in contamination from tankers spills and discharge of polluted ballast
waters.
Thanks to the following organisations for providing assistance with editorial content, please ensure you support
them by clicking on the following links:
Information on the Dugong dugon found in Vilanculos
http://www.mered.org.uk/saraweb/animals/dugong.htm
Dugong Dugon on the IUCN threatand species list
http://www.redlist.org/search/details.php?species=6909
http://www.panda.org
http://www.nationalgeographic.com
http://www.state.gov/g/oes/rls/fs/2003/16984.htm
Other articles of interest
http://www.gefonline.org/projectDetails.cfm?projID=1633
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