Botswana's problem elephants

Abstract

Within recorded history the Chobe/Moremi area of northern Botswana has always been favoured by elephants, several quotes from records of early writers including Selous are given. Populations have increased with little disturbance. However, destruction to the woody vegetation along the Chobe River riparian strip has been noted and unless elephant are reduced, excessive destruction and loss of canopy cover in the region are inevitable. Population estimates include 39,411 in 1980/81, 50,000 in 1985 and 63,500 in 1989. The author discusses the dynamics of the Chobe population and notes the consequences of an uncontrolled growth in elephatn numbers to the habitat could be catastrophic. In the eastern sector of the country two populations occupy areas near the Zimbabwe border. One group marauds agricultural crops in a relatively densely populated area north of Selebi Phikwe, while the other totally 550 to 600 animals in the Tuli Block have come into increasing conflict with surrounding farmland.