In the diverse landscapes of Africa, the fate of the majestic elephant hangs in a delicate balance. From the dwindling herds of South Sudan to the burgeoning populations in Zimbabwe, the continent’s conservation efforts are facing unprecedented challenges.
In South Sudan’s Badingilo National Park, the last remaining elephant wears a GPS collar, its solitary movements tracked by conservationists. Fifty years ago, the region was home to over 133,000 of these gentle giants, but today their numbers have plummeted to a mere 5% of that figure. Desperate locals, struggling with poverty and hunger, see the elephants as a source of food and income, leading to increased poaching.
Conversely, in the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA), spanning Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, the success of conservation efforts has led to a different problem – too many elephants. With their numbers swelling to around 60,000 in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park alone, the ecosystem is struggling to sustain the population. Authorities are debating culling, hunting, fencing, or relocating the pachyderms to alleviate the strain on local communities.
“This is the greatest conservation opportunity on Earth, but also one of the greatest challenges that any conservation organisation has ever taken on,” says Mike Fay, African Parks’ landscape coordinator for the Great Nile migration landscape. The region hosts the largest remaining land mammal migration, but other species, including elephants, have not fared as well.
Across the continent, conservationists, governments, and communities are grappling with finding the right balance. Deterrents like chilli fences and relocation programmes offer localised solutions, but the larger picture remains complex. As ancient migration routes are blocked and conservation budgets tighten, the race is on to prevent a catastrophic decline in Africa’s elephant populations.
“Failure isn’t an option,” says one conservationist. In an age of mass extinction, the fate of these majestic creatures hangs in the balance, and the decisions made today will shape the future of Africa’s natural heritage.
