African Wildlife & Environment Issue 81

ECO HERO

Professor Wilson put his hand on my shoulder and said: ‘Excellent, well said!’ His knowledge, support and advice will continue to ripple through the minds and hearts of all Mozambicans who pass through the E.O Wilson Laboratory in Gorongosa National Park.” To honour Ed’s contribution to the Gorongosa Project and Gorongosa National Park, our scientists named a newly-discovered bat species from Mount Gorongosa after him - the Wilson’s Long-fingered Bat Miniopterus wilsoni . We are infinitely grateful to Ed, and we will always draw energy and inspiration from his life and legacy. • Find out how you can continue Ed’s inspirational work at the E.O.Wilson Biodiversity Foundation website: https://eowilsonfoundation.org • Watch this clip from the BBC Africa series - E.O. Wilson in Africa:The Future

In Gorongosa, we remember Ed not just as a great man but as a good man. We recall him as a brilliant scientist, but we will never forget his qualities as a person: his friendship, kindness, and warmth. He was always generous with his time, speaking to anyone in camp who approached him and listening with undivided attention and enthusiasm. He mentored and inspired many young Mozambican scientists during his time in the Park, including Dominique Goncalves, Manager of the Gorongosa Elephant Ecology Project, who remembers Ed fondly: “Professor Wilson was forever kind and would always greet a young Mozambican with a smile and, if he had some time, he would tell you a story of his adventures when he was young. He kept young scientists engaged and updated through his books, which he autographed and sent to Mozambican students and researchers wherever they were. I will

About the Gorongosa Project and Science Education Programs Scientific research is an integral part of the long-term plan for the restoration of the Gorongosa ecosystem. An in-depth knowledge of the Gorongosa ecosystem will help the Park's management to make better decisions about its conservation. The E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Laboratory opened in March 2014 and placed Gorongosa as one of the most advanced research centres in southern Africa. The Laboratory

The Wilson’s Long-fingered Bat, Miniopterus wilsoni (Photo by Piotr Naskrecki)

has attracted national, regional and international attention. Scientists from more than thirty institutions have conducted research in the Park, such as the Universities Eduardo Mondlane and Lúrio in Mozambique; the Universities of Coimbra

always keep close to my heart when in 2015, far from home, I spoke up in a session where experts were discussing a sensitive topic. As the youngest and perhaps the only local person making a comment, I was shaken by the murmurs in the audience but

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