To study the life of the humid forests, it is better to control the Internet. While studying the pictures attentively in 2005 of Mozambique in software Google Earth researchers discovered a virgin and uncharted forested zone. After some locations driven on the ground for three years, an expedition driven this autumn confirmed it: the region of the mount Mabu, in the north of the country, is a true sanctuary for biodiversity.

The Mount Mabu is not unknown. A road drawn nearby had already allowed to explore the region. But nobody knew what is on the other side of the mountain. And while studying pictures by satellite the researchers of Royal Botanical Garden of Kew, near London), discovered the existence of a completely virgin forest on the other side of the summit. A 7000 hectare expanse which did not appear on the cards of the country.

Last October, twenty-eight scientists (1) therefore undertook to go in this forest of average-altitude, to raise inventory as definite as possible. And the researchers were not disappointed. He has the crossing of the mount Mabu is enough of some kilometres of walk since the road, and, to fall on eden. Sign that the civil war which hit the country between 1975 and 1992 did not violate the forest. 126 expèces of birds were identified, among whom six who are fast disappearing. The researchers discovered three new kinds of butterflies, and noticed strange animals, as the chameleon pygmy. Five hundred samples of plants are under consideration in Kew.

From now on, a running got involved to try to preserve the forest of Mabu before its treasures are destroyed. The BirdLife organisation would notably like to link the planters of tea of the region to the conservation of this small paradise for fauna and flora. Contact was taken with the government. As for Julian Bayliss, co-author of discovery, he took back the way of Mozambique, to go to study fauna and flora of the mount Namuli, loading his parents into adventure.

(1) Great Britain, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Belgium, Ireland and Switzerland.

Picture: Chameleon Pygmy © Julian Bayliss - Kew