A total of 190 elephants have died in 2012 in Zimbabwe due to heavy water shortage, wildlife authorities in the country have reported.
The country's Parks and Wildlife Management Authority said, "The elephants died during the dry season at the Hwange National Park, the largest in the country".
Felix Chimeramombe, an official with the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, said, "Our organization has been engaging stakeholders to assist in resolving the water shortage. It has begun scooping water points to reduce saltation as well as improving retention capacity in the future".
A total of 25 buffaloes and 5 zebras also got stuck in the mud and died at Matetsi Camp while attempting to access water, he said.
Last year, the park lost 80 elephants and 25 buffaloes as a result of high temperatures and water shortage. This year toll has risen further.
A single elephant can drink up to 100 litres of water at a time and up to 250 litres per day during the dry season.
Water shortage is affecting the human population in the country as well. Situation is worse then ever.
Zimbabwe's inflation rate is officially 100,000 percent (the highest in the world).
80 per cent of the population lives on less than $1 a day. Basic commodities such as food and water are not available to them.
5.1 million people i.e. almost half the population is struggling to eat one meal a day.
(with inputs from IANS)
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