Drought threatens survival of last ‘desert elephants’
A devastating drought in Mali is threatening the existence of West Africa’s last desert elephants, according to conservationists, with “urgent action” needed to prevent them dying of thirst – or as a consequence of a water war with local herdsmen.
At least six elephants have already been found dead as a result of the region’s worst water shortages in 26 years.
Several dead and living elephants have been extracted from wells which they had fallen into while searching for water, CNN.com reported. (More photos of the drought)
Calves are particularly vulnerable because their short trunks cannot reach deep enough into the remaining wells, according to the campaign group Save the Elephants.
Known as “the last elephants of Timbuktu”, the desert elephants have adapted to survive the harsh Saharan conditions, trekking more than 400 miles to find water.
But with conditions getting even tougher, Save the Elephants says the remaining creatures – estimated to number between 350 and 450 – are living “on the margin of what is ecologically viable.”
Jake Wall of Save the Elephants said that elephants and local herdsmen were likely to come into conflict as they compete for water. “The normal peaceful coexistence between the elephants and herdsmen is starting to break down and giving way to conflict over access to water,” he warned.
Conservationists hope that respite for the elephants could come in June when rainfall could form shallow ponds for the animals to drink from. Heavy rains usually follow in July and August.