Drought in Zimbabwe: 100 elephants die from lack of water
In a national park in Zimbabwe, around 100 elephants have died from lack of water in the past three months due to persistent drought. According to the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), the cause is the lack of summer rainfall in the country in southern Africa. The situation of the animals is "dramatic". In Hwange National Park, the country's largest nature reserve, numerous waterholes that mammals need to survive have dried up.
"Elephants and other wildlife species are facing a catastrophe if rain does not fall soon," warned IFAW's Program Director for Habitat Conservation, Phillip Kuvawoga. More than 200 elephants had already died in 2019 due to a severe drought in Zimbabwe. "Once again, we are seeing the devastating effects of climate change on wildlife," says Kuvawoga. Conversely, maintaining healthy ecosystems is important for climate protection.
Four years ago, Zimbabwe's park authorities, in cooperation with nature and environmental organizations, relocated around 600 elephants weakened by hunger and thirst to less affected areas. Around 2000 impala springboks, 50 buffaloes, 40 giraffes and dozens of lions were also moved to other regions.
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Despite the efforts to relocate animals four years ago during a similar drought, the current water shortage in Zimbabwe continues to impact the elephants and other wildlife. The arid conditions have failed to materialize, leaving the summer rainfall significantly lower than expected. This situation has resulted in numerous waterholes drying up, posing a grave threat to the animals' survival in Hwange National Park.
Source: www.ntv.de
