The number of African elephants has fallen from 26 million in the 1800's to 415,000 today. These majestic animals are facing a grave challenge due to European colonisation and other factors.
Much of Africa is experiencing longer and more severe dry spells due to climate change. The water they need is denied by this. African elephants need a lot of water to survive.
The African savanna elephant is in dire need of help. Africa may lose one of its most famous animals if the situation doesn't change.
A sad situation.
Elephants are important for many things. They are a keystone species. Their decline has long-reaching consequences.
Elephants are an important part of many African ecosystems. The feeding habits of elephants can turn vegetation into grassland. Smaller species will be able to move in. Water holes can be used by other animals. Elephants spread seeds in their dung.
Southern and eastern Africa are experiencing long and intense dry spells. Some have lasted a long time.
Many elephants are thirsty. According to research, elephants in Zimbabwe were dying due to the lack of water. There were reports of more elephant deaths when there was a drying El Nio in southern Africa.
The elephants can't eat because of the reduced availability of food. Young elephants can die if their mothers don't produce enough milk.
It's a unique Physiology.
Elephants struggle in heat and dry weather.
Elephants can become sick and die if they experience high internal temperatures.
Humans and other animals are stressed out. Elephants can't sweat it off, which makes them vulnerable.
There is a graphic showing how heat is dissipated in elephants.
The heat accumulates through the elephants' metabolism and physical activity.
It does not always leave a lasting effect. Elephants have thick skin that slows heat loss.
Elephants are the largest mammals in the world and weigh up to eight tons. They have a large body volume, but a small surface area to lose heat.
Elephants need water to survive in hot weather. They spray their skin with mud and water as they swim and then evaporate as they sweat.
Elephants drink hundreds of liters of water a day.
Elephants should be allowed to go free.
Artificial water sources are often created when elephants need water. The use of pipes, bores and pumps is included.
This measure can be a problem. Sometimes the water comes from supplies needed by locals. Elephants congregating around water can damage the environment and reduce food availability for other animals.
Elephants migrate to water during dry times. The movement has been disrupted by fenced areas.
The purpose of the fence was to mark out colonial land ownership and to separate people from animals.
Elephants and other wildlife need to be able to move between habitats as climate change gets worse.
It may be possible to find an answer through wildlife corridors. Animals can move between protected channels of vegetation. In India and the United States, wildlife corridors work well for megafauna.
Fence removal would be required in order to introduce more wildlife corridors. Changes would have consequences.
Since colonisation, nearby communities have not coexisted with elephants. There is a possibility that the removal of fences will lead to an increase in illegal activity. Allowing elephants to roam the landscape might make them less accessible to tourists.
Communities have coexisted with elephants before. Conflict between humans and wildlife can be reduced. They have led to increased quality of life for communities.
Local expertise can be used to guide wildlife management in community management projects. There have been successful outcomes in places where elephants share landscape with people.
It's important to protect a keystone species.
Community-based management is needed to ensure African elephants survive. Elephants will decline without this.
It would be bad news for the health and stability of the natural environment in Africa.
Under a Creative Commons license, this article is re-posted. The original article is worth a read.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
