100 Elephants Die in Drought-stricken Zimbabwe National Park

Zimbabwe – Over 100 elephants have died in Zimbabwe's largest national park in recent weeks. Experts from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) said that the elephants died in Hwange National Park due to drought and lack of water. 

The elephant carcasses are a chilling sign of what wildlife authorities and conservation groups say is the impact of climate change and the El Nino weather phenomenon. 

"El Nino is worsening an already dire situation," said Tinashe Farawo, spokesperson for the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority. 

Authorities warned that elephant deaths are likely to increase as weather forecasts indicate a lack of rainfall and increased heat in parts of the southern African country, including Hwange National Park.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare described the crisis as a major crisis for elephants and other animals. 

Zimbabwe's largest national park is home to about 45,000 elephants, as well as more than 100 species of mammals and 400 species of birds. 

The park has 104 solar-powered boreholes to maintain water sources for the animals. 

However, park authorities remarked that there are not enough of them and that they cannot cope with extreme temperatures, drying up existing water holes and forcing wildlife to walk long distances in search of food and water.  

"The most affected elephants are young, old, and sick elephants who cannot walk long distances in search of water," Farowo concluded.