News / Regional
29 jumbos die due to heat wave and water shortages
22 Oct 2012 at 14:22hrs | Views
The Parks and Wildlife Management Authority says the number of elephants that have died as a result of the heat wave and water shortages has risen to 29 at the Hwange National Park since the beginning of this month.
Parks and Wildlife Management Authority Regional Manager in charge of the Western Region, Mr Felix Chimeramombe said his organisation started pumping water in July and has been monitoring the elephant population, adding that meetings were held earlier this month with stakeholders to solicit for assistance in order to reduce the loss of wildlife currently being experienced at the park.
"We have engaged stakeholders within Hwange area and we had a meeting at Hwange National Park where we were soliciting for support, which we got from Hwange Colliery Company and Makomo Resources. We also got support from operators involved in photographic camping sites," said Mr Chimeramombe.
Apart from the increasing deaths of elephants, one rhino also died after it was trapped in mud at Sinamatela Camp while five zebras were also lost due to water shortages.
Hwange National Park, which covers an area of 14600 square kilometres has 37 water pumps at the main camp, five at Sinamatela Camp and four at Robins Camp, thus bringing the total to 42.
The figure is however inadequate to meet the demands of one of the largest concentrations of elephants in the continent.
The country is currently sitting on 50 tonnes of ivory worth US$250 per kilogramme but is unable to sell them and use the proceeds to boost water supplies at the National Park because of cites regulations.
Parks and Wildlife Management Authority Regional Manager in charge of the Western Region, Mr Felix Chimeramombe said his organisation started pumping water in July and has been monitoring the elephant population, adding that meetings were held earlier this month with stakeholders to solicit for assistance in order to reduce the loss of wildlife currently being experienced at the park.
"We have engaged stakeholders within Hwange area and we had a meeting at Hwange National Park where we were soliciting for support, which we got from Hwange Colliery Company and Makomo Resources. We also got support from operators involved in photographic camping sites," said Mr Chimeramombe.
Hwange National Park, which covers an area of 14600 square kilometres has 37 water pumps at the main camp, five at Sinamatela Camp and four at Robins Camp, thus bringing the total to 42.
The figure is however inadequate to meet the demands of one of the largest concentrations of elephants in the continent.
The country is currently sitting on 50 tonnes of ivory worth US$250 per kilogramme but is unable to sell them and use the proceeds to boost water supplies at the National Park because of cites regulations.
Source - zbc
