|
|
Animal population crash threatens Zimbabwe National Park |
 |
+ |
- |
21:22, July 31, 2007 |
An ecological crisis is looming in the Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe as animal numbers have increased sharply, raising fears of a population crash, The Chronicle reported on Tuesday.
Zimbabwe last experienced a population crash during the devastating drought of 1992 when many animals died at Gonarezhou National Park owing to a shortage of food and water.
Wildlife management experts confirmed to Chronicle that the animals'' growing demand for food and water could soon lead to a population crash in the Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe''s largest game reserve and Africa''s third biggest park.
Those fears have been raised and it is up to the parties concerned to see what measures can be taken. There was a need for immediate intervention to bring the situation under control, a wildlife expert was quoted as saying.
"If the numbers continue to grow at this rate, we will have a situation where food resources will be exhausted and the whole habitat destroyed," said the expert.
The expert emphasized the urgent need for an intervention strategy. There is need for a strategic population management through the manipulation of water points by way of introducing rotational pumping to reduce overabundance of animals at one place and reduce pressure on the habitat, he said.
[1] [2]
|
|
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article