Hwange National Park (HNP) is firmly gripped in the devastating clutches of the worst drought we have experienced for decades. The 2022/23 rainy season ended early and by October food supplies for the wildlife were substantially diminished and fresh water came at a premium.
Asides from a little localised rain, HNP has had scant relief so far, and the weather forecast looks bleak. Temperatures are soaring to 40+ C daily. The oppressive heat sucks energy from all living beings.
Elephant herds that would normally have migrated weeks ago for the south of the park in search of food remain clustered around the solar-pumped pans in the depleted northern regions desperately competing for available fresh water.
Many have succumbed to heat exhaustion at not being able to move off and forage. Calves are hard hit with predators picking off the weakest victims at will.
There is enormous pressure on solar pumped pans throughout the park. As a result there are many calls from operators and the public at large for us to check the pumps daily as it might appear that they’re not pumping at full capacity or are not pumping at all. This may or may not be a false alarm. Our staff are working flat out to check them. Our resources are being stretched.
In our quest to keep the water pumps fully operational in the areas that we focus on, your support would be most gratefully welcome. Please help us see our way through the worst of this crisis with assistance for necessary solar spares, vehicle maintenance and fuel.
This is nature at its harshest – we all need to do our bit to help alleviate the suffering. The wild creatures of Hwange will thank you.
Please contact Dave Dell for advice on the best way to assist.
Friends of Hwange undertakes all its work in close collaboration with ZimParks.
