Elephant numbers in parts of Zimbabwe dropped by 40% since 2001

The elephant population of the Zambezi Valley in Zimbabwe has decreased by more than 40 percent  in the last 13 years. It is almost entirely due to rise in poaching, A new survey released this month as part ofthe Pan African elephant survey confirms the figures.  Some Preliminary Results show that elephant numbers decreased by about 75 percent in the combined Matusadona and Chizarira areas.

"While for example the Zambezi valley has dropped from 19 000 to 13 000 elephants since the census in 2001, we also need to remember that if you take into account that an elephant population under no stress increases at about seven percent per year, we have probably lost more than just 6 000 elephants in this area," said a spokesperson.

Poaching has been out of control in Central and East Africa for several years and has clearly already reached Zimbabwe.

Given the apparent callous disregard for the fate of the so called 'Presidential Herd' last year, I wonder what the Government will do to curb the rampant decimation of the elephant population in the Country.