The Niassa Special Reserve (NSR) Administration, in collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), carried out a dog vaccination campaign in human settlements across the districts of Mecula and Mavago. The campaign aimed to control rabies and canine distemper in the Mecula corridor communities, as canine distemper poses a significant threat to the conservation of large carnivores, including lions and African wild dogs.
Overall Results:
➡️ Total dogs vaccinated: 164
➡️ Estimated dog population: 304
➡️ Overall vaccination coverage: 53.9%
➡️ Other animals vaccinated: 2 cats
The main objective of this activity was to reduce and control rabies cases by breaking the urban transmission cycle, as rabies is a zoonotic disease that affects both animals and humans. Global reports indicate that every nine minutes, one person dies from rabies, most of them in rural areas of Africa and Asia.
This year’s campaign was conducted under the theme:
“Act Now: You, Me and the Community Against Rabies.”
The initiative was led by the NSR–WCS Administration, in close collaboration with:
- Mariri Investments / Niassa Carnivore Project (NCP)
- Mozambique Wildlife Alliance (MWA)
- Fundação Lugenda - LUWIRE
- National Directorate of Biosafety and Animal Health, through the Niassa Provincial Livestock Department
- District Services for Economic Activities (SDAE) of Mecula and Mavago
This campaign reflects the joint efforts of the NSR, the Government of Mozambique, operators, and local communities in the fight against rabies and the protection of Mozambique’s iconic wildlife species.
The NSR Administration extends special thanks to the Community Wildlife Guardians (MOMS) for their vital role in community awareness and dog population registration throughout the campaign.