In Hwange National Park (HNP) at this time of year the heat is inescapable and oppressive with temperatures soaring to 40C plus. The heat drains the last reserves of energy from all but the strongest. Cumulous clouds build up daily but seldom come to much. In the last week of October this year a fearsome storm developed with lightning, thunder, and a deluge. The rain was not widespread enough to avoid a lightning strike setting fire to the bush in the area from Main Camp towards Nyamandhlovu and on to White Hills.
The fire jumped the main tar road burning fiercely on both sides. A hasty plan was made to backburn around relevant solar panels to protect them. Although widespread the burn will hopefully clear out much moribund bush and quickly trigger new green shoots to emerge.
2023 has not been an easy year water wise, but we’re pleased to report that the pans in the areas of the park that we attend to have held up well. The pilot battery systems to pump water through the night at Masuma and Kennedy 2 have been a resounding success so much so that the installation of a battery system at Ngweshla has been recently completed with Dopi Pan following suit. There are plans afoot to install several more battery systems early in 2024.
The FOH trustees recognize the need for a plan of succession – none of us is getting younger. To that end we’re delighted to welcome Jason Clarke Friend into the FOH fold. Jason has been with us for 2 weeks and in that time his energy and enthusiasm seem boundless. He’s full of new ideas and brings a breath of fresh air to the field.
Jason started out as a young, fully qualified guide working under the mentorship of various experienced conservationists across Zimbabwe’s National Parks. He has gained considerable experience outside of Zim in ecology, camp management, veterinary, community and humanitarian work, but his passion lies in rehabilitation and maintenance of Eco landscapes for the benefit of wildlife. Jason will assist Gary and the HNP staff with all the traditional FOH responsibilities namely upkeep of boreholes, solar pumps, and batteries; firebreaks, scooping natural pans; road clearance; picnic site maintenance and anything else deemed necessary for the benefit of the Park. We look forward to working with him.
As mentioned in our last news missive, Steve Alexander has also joined the FOH team. The plan is for Steve to assist Parks’ staff with all aspects of animal and wildlife welfare, both in the research area and with deployment of anti-poaching rangers out in the field.
Steve’s first month was spent overseeing the renovation of a derelict house in the Hwange Main Camp staff complex. The transformation is remarkable, and the house should now provide for a comfortable home and an office base out of which to operate. In addition, we have managed to source a suitable vehicle for Steve. Our most grateful thanks to the donors that made it all possible.
Steve has jumped straight into the deep end by helping to investigate the cause of numerous elephant deaths that are occurring in the north of the park.
In late 2020, when a group of young elephants keeled over and died near Hwange National Park , Dr Chris Foggin, a wildlife veterinarian at the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust (VFWT), initially assumed anthrax to be the culprit – a common killer at this time of year.
But Anthrax deaths are usually individual and widespread, and, in this case, the elephants died in a cluster. Chris suspected something amiss and sent samples to international labs with facilities to do comprehensive tests. Eventually, Pasteurella Bisgaard taxon 45 was identified, bacteria that result in a buildup of blood toxins causing septicaemia and sudden death.
It’s alarming, how little knowledge we have about Pasteurella Bisgaard taxon 45 which has not been known to affect elephants in the past. The bacteria seem to manifest in conditions of extreme heat and appear to affect and kill mainly younger, weaned elephants. These are the animals that tend to be under most stress when having to walk great distances to reach food and water. However, all ages of elephants can become victims.
An elephant postmortem is an enormous undertaking that is not for the faint-hearted. It involves peeling off the skin and breaking into the body and brain to extract samples of key organs. This gory process takes a team of people many hours to complete and must be done within a day of the animal’s death. Carcasses must be reached quickly before advanced decomposition sets in. Transporting samples to the relevant laboratories is expensive.
Accurate diagnosis depends upon collection of fresh tissue samples to make slides for the labs – a hugely challenging feat under harsh conditions and an under-resourced race against time, distance, and heat.
The work is not glamorous or fun but is essential. Steve has the experience and drive to achieve it not only as regards elephants, but also other animals including lions, buffalos, vultures, hyaenas and more. Fortunately, VFWT is now able to test for Pasteurella Bisgaard taxon 45, so we don’t have to rely on laboratories in other countries.
Friends of Hwange is solely reliant on donations to carry out its work. As always, we extend grateful thanks to our loyal donors, and encourage others to contribute where possible – every little or large amount helps to make a difference.
The FOH team enjoys a good working relationship with the staff stationed in HNP with whom we collaborate closely. We look forward to some fruitful years ahead working together in this special place that we hold so dear.
