In Botswana’s northern region near the vast wetlands of the Okavango Delta, herds of endangered hippos are facing a dire situation as severe drought grips the area. The dried-up Thamalakane River, exacerbated by the El Nino weather phenomenon, has left these magnificent creatures stranded in dried-up ponds, raising concerns about their survival.
Conservation authorities have sounded the alarm, warning that the hippos, already endangered, are at risk of dying if immediate action is not taken. The scarcity of water has forced the animals to seek refuge in natural water reserves near the tourist town of Maun, further highlighting the severity of the situation.
Lesego Moseki, spokesperson for Botswana’s Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP), expressed concern over the compromised condition of the animals due to the drying river system. With the riverine vegetation depleted and water sources diminishing, hippos in the northwestern district of Ngamiland are facing a critical challenge for survival.
Botswana, known for hosting one of the world’s largest populations of wild hippos, estimated between 2,000 and 4,000 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), now confronts a significant conservation crisis. The exact toll on the hippo population remains unclear, as authorities are still assessing the extent of the damage.
Hippos, with their thick but sensitive skin, require regular access to water to prevent sunburn and maintain their health. The absence of water not only poses a threat to their physical well-being but also increases the likelihood of human-wildlife conflicts as desperate hippos may venture into villages in search of water.
In response to the crisis, local authorities are advocating for the relocation of hippos to reserves to mitigate potential conflicts and ensure their survival. The El Nino weather pattern, known for its adverse effects on global climate systems, has exacerbated the drought situation in Botswana, underscoring the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect these iconic creatures from further harm.
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