Drought claims lives of over 100 elephants in Zimbabwe's largest Hwange National Park

In what wildlife authorities and conservationists describe as a stark consequence of climate change and the El Nino weather phenomenon, Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest national park, has witnessed the tragic deaths of at least 100 elephants due to severe drought. According to experts from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), the elephants succumbed to the harsh conditions exacerbated by a lack of water in the park. Hwange National Park, home to approximately 45,000 elephants, boasts a diverse ecosystem comprising more than 100 mammal species and 400 bird varieties. Despite efforts to sustain water sources for the wildlife with 104 solar-powered boreholes, park authorities admit that the existing infrastructure is insufficient. Extreme temperatures are drying up waterholes, compelling the animals, particularly the young, elderly, and sick, to embark on lengthy journeys in search of food and water. Tinashe Farawo, a spokesperson for the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, emphasized the vulnerability of elephants unable to cover extensive distances for water. The distressing situation underscores the profound impact of climate change and the El Nino weather phenomenon on the region’s ecosystems. “El Nino is making an already dire situation worse,” Farawo stated. El Nino, a cyclical weather phenomenon warming parts of the Pacific, disrupts global weather patterns. While traditionally occurring every few years, studies suggest that climate change may intensify its effects, resulting in more severe consequences. This year’s El Nino has brought deadly floods to East Africa and is anticipated to cause below-average rainfall in southern Africa. Zimbabwe has experienced rising temperatures and scarce rainfall, with concerns of a recurrence of the devastating 2019 drought when over 200 elephants perished in Hwange. Phillip Kuvawoga, a landscape program director at IFAW, emphasized the recurring nature of the phenomenon, raising alarms for Hwange’s elephants in a recent report. Zimbabwe’s once predictable rainy season has become erratic, marked by prolonged dry spells. Trevor Lane, director of The Bhejane Trust, a conservation group supporting Zimbabwe’s parks agency, expressed concerns about a looming dry spell due to El Nino. The region heavily relies on the organization’s efforts, which involve pumping 1.5 million liters of water daily into Hwange’s waterholes from more than 50 managed boreholes. As climate patterns continue to shift, the struggle for survival intensifies for the diverse wildlife inhabiting Hwange National Park, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable conservation measures in the face of a changing climate.