In recent weeks, Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's largest national park, has witnessed a devastating loss of at least 100 elephants due to a severe drought exacerbated by the El Nino weather phenomenon. Wildlife authorities and conservation groups are sounding the alarm, attributing these deaths to the impacts of climate change.

The Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority warns that the death toll could rise further as forecasts predict a scarcity of rains and rising temperatures across the southern African nation, including Hwange National Park. The International Fund for Animal Welfare describes the situation as a crisis not only for elephants but also for other animals in the region.

El Nino, a recurring weather phenomenon that warms parts of the Pacific and affects weather patterns worldwide, is exacerbating an already dire situation. While this year's El Nino led to deadly floods in East Africa, it is expected to bring below-average rainfall to southern Africa.

The effects of climate change are becoming increasingly evident in Zimbabwe, as the rainy season has started weeks later than usual. Although some rain has fallen recently, meteorological forecasts predict a dry and hot summer ahead.

Research suggests that climate change may be intensifying the impact of El Ninos, leading to more extreme consequences. This recurring phenomenon is causing concern for wildlife conservationists, who fear a repeat of 2019 when over 200 elephants perished in Hwange during a severe drought.

According to Phillip Kuvawoga, a landscape program director at the International Fund for Animal Welfare, the most vulnerable elephants are the young, elderly, and sick who struggle to travel long distances in search of water. An average-sized elephant needs around 52 gallons of water daily. Distressing images shared by Tinashe Farawo, spokesman for the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, show elephants stuck in mud and others found dead in shallow watering holes.

To safeguard against poaching and facilitate safekeeping, park rangers remove the tusks from the deceased elephants. Hwange National Park, spanning 5,600 square miles, is home to approximately 45,000 elephants, along with over 100 mammal species and 400 bird species.

Zimbabwe's rainy season, which traditionally spanned from October to March, has become increasingly erratic in recent years. Conservationists have observed longer and more severe dry spells, potentially exacerbated by the recurring El Nino events.

In response to the crisis, The Bhejane Trust, a conservation group working in partnership with Zimbabwe's parks agency, has been pumping 1.5 million liters of water into Hwange's waterholes daily using over 50 boreholes. With more than 100 solar-powered boreholes in the park, which lacks a major flowing river, these efforts aim to provide water for the parched animals.

Conservationists emphasize that saving elephants goes beyond protecting the species itself. Elephants play a crucial role in combating climate change by dispersing vegetation through their dung, which contains plant seeds. As forests spread, regenerate, and flourish, they absorb planet-warming carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

"They perform a far bigger role than humans in reforestation," says Trevor Lane, director of The Bhejane Trust. "That is one of the reasons we fight to keep elephants alive."

As Zimbabwe braces for a challenging dry spell due to El Nino, urgent action is needed to protect its treasured elephant population and preserve the delicate ecosystem they contribute to.