Water relief for 8,000 thirsty elephants neglected by Zimbabwe

Boreholes set up by local conservationists are saving drought-stricken elephants in Hwange national park

As a drought-inducing El Nino settled over southern Africa in 2016, the animals of Hwange national park in Zimbabwe faced desperate water shortages.

During a heatwave in October, conservation worker Prince Sansole spotted an elephant partially submerged in a muddy pool. His movements initially looked no different from the water games routinely played by the giant creatures. Only a closer look revealed that the young bull was in trouble, struggling to get up. His limp trunk kept dropping back into the water, unable to catch a fresh breath.