According to the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), at least 100 elephants have died from the El Nino-induced drought in Zimbabwe’s largest game reserve, Hwange National Park.
In a statement, IFAW said summer rains are five weeks late due to the ongoing El Nino phenomenon, as dozens of elephants have already died in Hwange National Park, home to about 45,000 elephants.
“At least 100 elephants are already reported dead due to lack of water,” it said.
Further, IFAW said the 104 solar-powered boreholes in the park were inadequate to match extreme temperatures drying up existing waterholes, forcing wildlife to walk long distances in search of food and water.
IFAW said the deaths of elephants in Zimbabwe must be seen as a symptom of deep-seated and complex challenges affecting the region’s natural resources conservation, aggravated by climate change.
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