Paleo-Primate Project Gorongosa Newsletter - July 2020

On 23rd July, Gorongosa National Park celebrated its 60th anniversary as a national park. To commemorate the occasion, the Gorongosa Restoration Project and its partners announced plans to build 60 new primary schools in the surrounding communities over the coming decade. They also released a beautiful and inspiring 60th anniversary video and Dominique Gonçalves published a moving commentary piece with Mongabay.

Image: Looking back at the history of Gorongosa National Park, still image from the 60th anniversary video

We are delighted to share the news that Jacinto Mathe has completed his thesis defence for his MSc in Forensic Anthropology at the University of Coimbra, passing with excellent feedback from the committee. Next step, the University of Oxford for his DPhil in Anthropology under the supervision of Susana - we are very excited to welcome you to the Lab group, Jacinto!

Image: Jacinto during his virtual defence, watched by supporters and examiners - photo from Katarina Almeida Warren

Many congratulations to Dr Thomas Püschel for his award of a SYNTHESYS Transnational Access grant for data collection at the Royal Museum for Central Africa, located just outside of Brussels in Belgium and known as the Africa Museum. The grant will help support the collection of further comparative data linked to Thomas' work with the PPPG.

Image: Thomas pictured at the Nairobi National Museum in Kenya, where he studied comparative fossil collections

Over in Chitengo, the PPPG building is really starting to take shape. Storage cabinets, shelving, wooden boxes, and crates have arrived and been assembled ready to accommodate fossils and supplies in the paleo collection room. More cabinets are on their way, as is furniture for the classroom and workroom. A big thank you to Jason for taking care of this! We look forward to continuing the fossil curation when we can safely return.

Image: One of the storage units which has been acquired for the new PPPG building - photo from Jason Denlinger

In commemoration of World Ranger Day, Ivete Joaquim Maibaze (Mozambique's Minister of Land and Environment) and Mateus Mutemba (Director General of the National Administration of Conservation Areas) will be visiting the Park, and whilst there, on 2nd August will be officially inaugurating the new offices and accommodation for Conservation as well as the Paleo-Primate Lab.

Image: Logo of the ANAC - the National Administration of Conservation Areas in Mozambique

As well as continuing to satisfy our coffee cravings, Gorongosa Coffee is releasing all new travel tumblers, manufactured by MiiR. The tumblers will be available to buy on their own or in a bundle with their matching coffee blend. Look out for the new releases on the Gorongosa Coffee website soon.

Image: New MiiR travel tumblers, for keeping your favourite coffee blend warm (or ice-cold!)