Conservationists are concerned about the potential for additional elephant deaths in Zimbabwe as a result of ongoing drought conditions, with at least 160 already confirmed. The hot, dry weather is expected to persist, exacerbating the situation.
Between August and December of last year, a number of elephants passed away in the Hwange National Park. This park spans 14,651 square kilometers and is home to various endangered species including elephants, buffalo, lions, cheetahs, and giraffes. In addition, six more elephants were found dead outside of the park, believed to be victims of poaching.
Zimparks has verified that the elephants in the park have passed away due to drought.
According to Zimparks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo, tests conducted on Tuesday revealed that the animals’ deaths were a result of starvation. The majority of the animals were found to have perished within 50m to 100m of water sources.
According to the park, the majority of the elephants that passed away were either young, elderly, or ill.
Continuous lack of precipitation, extended periods of dryness, and droughts are becoming more severe in southern Africa. According to Trevor Lane, co-founder and leader of the Bhejane Trust conservation organization in Hwange, there was a complete absence of rainfall from February to November in the Hwange park in 2023.
Lane stated that there was a lack of nutrients, extremely high temperatures, and a limited water supply, all of which led to significant levels of stress. This situation may potentially reoccur in 2024.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted a powerful El Niño weather event from October to March, causing hot and dry conditions with minimal rainfall. According to the November update from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, this may cause a delay in rainfall and extended periods of dry weather, potentially leading to drought in Zimbabwe.
According to a statement, by the end of 2023, most of Zimbabwe had only received less than half of the usual amount of seasonal rainfall.
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Hwange’s conservation organizations are currently in a race to increase the number of boreholes in order to disperse elephants to regions with better access to food. They are additionally incorporating solar-powered technology into existing boreholes to prolong pumping times and meet the anticipated demand during the hot season starting in August.
Lane acknowledged the possibility of an El Niño and severe drought in 2024. He stated that they will attempt to alleviate its effects, but ultimately it will come down to survival of the strongest. If another drought occurs, they will have to endure a similar situation once more.
In the past, droughts in Zimbabwe have led to large numbers of elephant deaths. For example, in 2019, over 200 elephants perished in a span of two months due to a shortage of water.
According to experts in Hwange, both vets and conservationists, elephants first passed away near a heavily frequented water source in the park. However, as time went on, the fatalities became more widespread and did not occur in specific groupings.
During a September count, a different conservationist reported that over 1,800 elephants were attempting to access a sole water source for drinking.
The conservationist, who chose to remain anonymous due to lack of permission from Zimparks, expressed distress at witnessing orphaned calves waiting for death and driving amidst the sight and smell of dead elephants.
They stated, “Our concern should be focused on the potential for climate change to cause losses of animals due to drought conditions that would be considered typical for this year.”
Due to worsening drought, poaching has resurfaced as a threat to elephants and other wildlife in Zimbabwe. In the month of January, six more elephants were reported dead in Gwayi, a region near Hwange park, with poaching being identified as the cause by conservation and environmental law organizations.
The deaths have been confirmed by Zimparks, who also stated that their cause is still being investigated by veterinarians. Environmental groups believe that the elephants were killed for their tusks, which were missing.
The Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association stated that the poaching incident in Gwayi occurred amidst a rise in illegal trafficking and crimes involving wildlife.
Lane stated that there has been a rise in bushmeat poaching, which both our organization and others have observed to be a result of the economic state in Zimbabwe. He explained that individuals are becoming desperate and turning to poaching as a means of survival.
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In December, as the lean season drew near, the Famine Early Warning Systems Network funded by USAid reported that many impoverished households had run out of their own food supplies. The majority of the nation’s food security was categorized as either “stressed” or “crisis”.
According to Nick Long, who is involved in anti-poaching efforts in Hwange, there has been an increase in bushmeat poaching across the country, particularly in November and December. He noted a significant rise in the Victoria Falls region and reported that the Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit has been actively pursuing poachers throughout the month of December.
Zimparks said that it was “on top of the situation when it comes to poaching” of elephants in Zimbabwe. “We have not been losing many animals. In Hwange, we haven’t recorded any poached elephant in the past two years. We need to continue doing law enforcement and patrolling,” said Farawo.
Source: theguardian.com
