Elephants, South Africa’s gentle giants, are being driven out of their homes due to the intensifying human-wildlife conflict.
The once peaceful Pola Game Reserve is now at the center of a brewing crisis as local communities and wildlife clash over resources, particularly water from Lake Jozini. Tragically, a man was killed in an elephant attack, leading to retaliatory killings of over a dozen elephants.
Facing danger and competition for resources, the elephants have sought refuge in the neighboring country of Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland. “We have seen a change in the current situation,” says a wildlife specialist. “The elephants have now moved northwards across the Eswatini border to near the Eastern Banks of Pang Dam, where they have found safety and a new home.”
This conflict highlights the importance of finding a balance between human development and wildlife conservation. Recent research has shown that elephants are an endangered species, with their population declining dramatically due to habitat loss, poaching, and hunting.
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This often brought them into direct contact with the elephants and some animals are still remaining on the eastern bank of the dam.
“Still 11 elephants known to be in the conflict zone, which is on the South African side of the dam. And we are not sure if there are some injured elephants at the moment that are still remaining behind and there are some that obviously are now finding refuge in that area. And we need to find a solution for them,”, a Wildlife specialist added.
“Elephants are intelligent and social creatures,” the wildlife specialist continues. “They need a safe place to call home and resources to survive. The elephants in Eswatini are currently enjoying their new home, but their future remains uncertain.”
“Elephants play an important role in the ecosystem and their presence brings balance to the environment. We must do all we can to ensure that they are given the chance to thrive in their new home.”
For now, the elephants, here in Eswatini, are enjoying the relative safety of the new location as well as the water resources available and the places to forage.
