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Huge Zimbabwe Elephant Killed Legally, Says Wildlife Authority
Harare: The hunt that killed one of the biggest elephants seen for years in Zimbabwe was legal, the wildlife authority said today.
The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (ZimParks) said the elephant which was killed last week in the southeastern part of the country had tusks weighing 54 and 55 kilogrammes respectively adding that proceeds from the hunt would go towards wildlife conservation.
"On the 7th of October 2015, an adult male elephant was hunted as a trophy by a foreign client through a locally registered safari company in Malipati Safari area," the ZimParks statement said.
It said the area was "allocated sustainable quotas and hunting permits for all wildlife species including elephants on annual basis."
Malipati is adjacent to Gonarezhou national park and the two game parks hold 11,452 elephants, ZimParks said, dismissing reports that the elephant hunt took place inside the national park.
"Zimbabwe subscribes to the principle of sustainable utilisation of its natural resources, including consumptive and non-consumptive utilisation of wildlife," the statement said.
"Wildlife utilisation programmes and projects generate revenue that is used to develop local community areas and contribute to the improvement of living standards of local communities and to support conservation programmes."
ZimParks could not name the hunter who killed the elephant or give details how the huge mammal was killed.
However, wildlife groups reported that a German hunter paid $60,000 to shoot the huge male elephant, reviving the fierce debate over trophy hunting after the shooting of Cecil the lion.
Emmanuel Fundira, chairman of the Safari Operators Association of Zimbabwe (SOAZ) Friday said the elephant was "so huge its tusks were almost hitting the ground while it was standing."
He said SOAZ believed that the elephant should have been treated as a "national treasure" rather than killed.
The Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force (ZCTF) condemned the elephant hunt. "It's wrong to kill an iconic animal like that," said Johnny Rodrigues, chairman for ZCTF.
"The last time one was seen (of such size) was more than 40 years ago. The hunter should not have shot it."
In July, American dentist Walter Palmer incensed animal rights activists worldwide when he shot and killed Cecil the lion with a powerful bow and arrow.
Cecil was a well-known attraction among visitors to the Hwange National Park and was wearing a tracking collar as part of an Oxford University research project.
Zimbabwe this week abandoned its bid to press charges against Palmer, saying his papers "were in order" and that he did not know he was committing any offence.
The Zimbabwean Parks department recently vowed to increase patrols after at least 26 elephants were poisoned to death by poachers in separate incidents over the past month.
Zimbabwe Parks Zimbabwe elephants in zimbabwe elephants legally killed Wildlife utilisation programmes Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force Safari Operators Association of Zimbabwe Emmanuel Fundira
Elephant Migration Routes: Clubs, Laws, Geography and Demographics. Tracing the Historic Pathways of Africa’s Giants
Elephants are among the most iconic and intelligent mammals on Earth, known for their complex social structures, memory, and migratory behavior. Historically, elephant migration routes have been vital corridors connecting ecosystems, allowing these majestic creatures to access resources such as water, food, and breeding grounds. However, human activity, habitat fragmentation, and climate change have significantly disrupted these ancient pathways. Understanding historic elephant migration routes not only sheds light on their natural behaviors but also highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts to preserve these critical corridors.
Nature’s Blueprint: Mapping the Historic Migration Routes
Historically, elephants in Africa migrated across vast distances, often spanning hundreds or even thousands of kilometers. These routes were shaped by seasonal changes, rainfall patterns, and the availability of resources. For example:
In East Africa, elephants historically moved between the Serengeti plains in Tanzania and the lush forests of Kenya’s Aberdare Range.
In Southern Africa, herds traveled between Botswana’s Okavango Delta, Namibia’s Caprivi Strip, and Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park.
In West Africa, elephants once roamed freely between Mali’s Sahel region, Burkina Faso, and northern Ghana, following river systems like the Niger and Volta.
These routes were not random; they were carefully memorized paths passed down through generations, showcasing the elephants’ remarkable ability to navigate using landmarks, scents, and even celestial cues.
Who Walked These Paths? A Demographic Deep Dive
Historically, millions of elephants roamed Africa, with populations estimated at over 20 million before European colonization. These herds were composed of both African savanna elephants (Loxodonta africana ) and African forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis ), each adapting to different environments while sharing similar migratory instincts.
Savanna Elephants: Known for their long-distance migrations, these elephants traversed grasslands, deserts, and floodplains.
Forest Elephants: Typically migrated shorter distances within dense rainforests, relying on fruiting trees and mineral-rich soil patches.
Today, however, elephant populations have dwindled to fewer than 500,000 individuals due to poaching, habitat loss, and human-wildlife conflict. Many historic migration routes have been severed, leaving fragmented populations isolated and vulnerable.
Nature’s Calendar: The Rhythms of Elephant Migration
Elephants are highly attuned to seasonal changes, particularly rainfall patterns, which dictate the availability of water and vegetation. Their historic migration routes were synchronized with nature’s calendar:
During the dry season (May to October), elephants moved toward permanent water sources such as rivers, lakes, and underground aquifers.
In the wet season (November to April), they dispersed into more remote areas, taking advantage of fresh grazing opportunities and abundant foliage.
This cyclical movement ensured that ecosystems remained balanced, as elephants acted as "ecosystem engineers" by dispersing seeds, creating waterholes, and maintaining open landscapes.
Echoes of the Past: Time-Honored Corridors
Many historic elephant migration routes have deep cultural significance for local communities. Indigenous peoples, such as the Maasai in East Africa and the San in Southern Africa, revered elephants and often followed their movements to locate water and fertile grazing lands. Ancient rock art in regions like Namibia’s Twyfelfontein and Chad’s Ennedi Plateau depicts elephants alongside humans, illustrating the enduring bond between these animals and humanity.
Unfortunately, modern development has erased many of these traditional pathways. Roads, agricultural expansion, and fences now block access to critical habitats, forcing elephants into smaller ranges and increasing conflicts with humans.
Beyond the Hunt: Surprising Facts About Elephant Migration
Memory Keepers: Elephants rely on matriarchs to lead their herds along migration routes. These older females possess detailed knowledge of water sources and safe passages, accumulated over decades.
Long-Distance Travelers: Some elephants have been recorded traveling over 1,000 kilometers in a single year, making them one of the longest terrestrial migrants in Africa.
Cultural Connections: The Great Elephant Census (2016) revealed that certain migration routes have been used for centuries, underscoring the importance of preserving these corridors for future generations.
Conservation Challenges and Modern Efforts
The preservation of historic elephant migration routes is a cornerstone of modern conservation strategies. Organizations like the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Save the Elephants, and the African Elephant Coalition are working to:
Establish transboundary protected areas that allow elephants to move freely across national borders.
Use GPS collars to track elephant movements and identify key corridors needing protection.
Engage local communities in sustainable land-use practices that minimize human-elephant conflict.
One notable success story is the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA), which spans five countries (Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe) and protects vital migration routes for tens of thousands of elephants.
This article highlights the importance of understanding and preserving historic elephant migration routes, emphasizing their ecological, cultural, and conservation significance. By protecting these corridors, we can ensure that elephants continue to roam freely, maintaining the delicate balance of Africa’s ecosystems.
