I was vary sad to hear about the recent drought ravaging the population of Rare Desert Elephants in Mali, with one of the worst drought sin living memory. These Elephants walk a hundreds of miles every year to find water and follow trails that have been spotted by satelleites. They are small than other African Elephants but have broader feet helping them walk greater distance and cover more ground. Life is harsh enough for the herd of 350 to 400 in Gourma region of Mali and now they have to trek even longer distances to find water. Younger elephants are more affected as their trunks are not long enough to reach the source underground and get access to deep wells.
The water shortage is due to uneven rainfall in 2008 with many of the sources having their lowest levels yet. The most important of these lakes, Banzena, is the lowest it has been since 1983 when it dried completely. NGOs are working to help supply water that is badly needed until the rainfall season in January. Herdsmen are also being affected in the area as their cows don't have access to water either. It will be a terrible pity if these elephants die out they travel further distances than any other herd of Elephants in the World,with their habitat now being affected by climate degradation and human habitation.
*National Geographic There are two species of African Elephant, 'Forest' and 'Savannah'-The Mali elephants' tenuous hold on survival is even more troubling given the findings of a separate research team. Using DNA extracted from the dung of wild elephants in western Africa, biologists at the University of California–San Diego, have determined that the elephants are a genetically and geographically distinct species that probably diverged from the forest and savanna elephants of southern Africa a little more than two million years ago.
The San Diego team's findings will be published in the October 7 issue of the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society, Series B.*
Rare Desert Elephant Facts:
The water shortage is due to uneven rainfall in 2008 with many of the sources having their lowest levels yet. The most important of these lakes, Banzena, is the lowest it has been since 1983 when it dried completely. NGOs are working to help supply water that is badly needed until the rainfall season in January. Herdsmen are also being affected in the area as their cows don't have access to water either. It will be a terrible pity if these elephants die out they travel further distances than any other herd of Elephants in the World,with their habitat now being affected by climate degradation and human habitation.
*National Geographic There are two species of African Elephant, 'Forest' and 'Savannah'-The Mali elephants' tenuous hold on survival is even more troubling given the findings of a separate research team. Using DNA extracted from the dung of wild elephants in western Africa, biologists at the University of California–San Diego, have determined that the elephants are a genetically and geographically distinct species that probably diverged from the forest and savanna elephants of southern Africa a little more than two million years ago.
The San Diego team's findings will be published in the October 7 issue of the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society, Series B.*
Rare Desert Elephant Facts:
- They follow a circular migration path covering 450 km
- Travel sometimes 100-152km a day between water holes
- They are tracked by collars and satellites
- They can hear rainfall from great distances and respond
- Of Africa's 500000 Elephants they represent about 12000
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