Mount Mabu: Inside Africa's Secret Forest

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There are still places on earth that scientists have yet to explore. One of those is the centre of Mount Mabu in central Mozambique. In early June 2024, a team of British-led, international scientists trekked into that part for the forest for the first time. First “discovered” by the botanist and explorer Julian Bayliss about 15 years ago, who found it by scouring Google Maps, the Mabu forest is effectively a land island because of its altitude. This has allowed its wildlife to evolve independently of other forest populations – a fact which has so far meant lots of new and unique species. The area is expected to to get special status later this year. In this episode of the 5 Minutes On podcast, the BBC's environment correspondent Jonah Fisher accompanies the scientists on their expedition as they trek deeper into the Mozambique forest. (Image: BBC)