NAMIBIA DRILLS MORE BOREHOLES TO SAVE STRANDED HIPPOS AMIDST SEVERE DROUGHT

Thu 26 September 2024:

Namibia’s wildlife is under significant strain as ongoing droughts dry up water sources across the country. Animals, including hippos, elephants, and antelopes, struggle to find water, leading to increased mortality rates and habitat displacement. Waterholes, essential for sustaining both wildlife and livestock, are drying up, forcing animals to move closer to human settlements, heightening the risk of human-wildlife conflict.

The Namibian government is taking emergency action by drilling boreholes to provide water for stranded animals, but the long-term impact on ecosystems remains a growing concern. The drought is disrupting natural migration patterns and threatening the survival of many species.

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Around 130 hippopotamuses are trapped in the mud in northeastern Namibia due to severe drought, a government official revealed on Wednesday. As water levels drop, Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism has begun drilling boreholes to pump water into the drying Munambeza Pond in the Zambezi Region, spokesperson Romeo Muyunda told Xinhua.

Muyunda explained, “This is the second borehole drilled this year; the first one, at Lugala, improved conditions for 135 trapped hippos in June.” The next step is to drill at a third location, Sinde, also nearby.

“The drought has caused water ponds to dry out, leaving hippos stranded,” Muyunda said. He noted that these ponds also supply drinking water for other wild animals and nearby livestock, making the intervention vital for various species.

Muyunda warned of increased human-wildlife conflict as animals compete for dwindling water resources. He urged the public to remain cautious and contact the ministry if wildlife enters populated areas. “We are committed to wildlife conservation, focusing on saving lives rather than lethal measures,” he added.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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