Foto: Elephants are unmistakable in Hwange (bron: Ronald van der Veer)

Zimbabwe - Hwange National Park, formerly the Wankie Game Reserve, is the largest wildlife reserve in Zimbabwe. The park is located in the western part of the country, along the main road between Bulawayo and Victoria Falls. Established in 1928, it lies close to the edge of the Kalahari Desert, a region with scarce water and very limited vegetation. The park is home to over 100 mammal species and 400 bird species. All of Zimbabwe’s notable protected animals can be found in Hwange, and it is the only protected area where gemsbok and brown hyenas are present in significant numbers. Large packs of African wild dogs inhabit the park, alongside other important predators such as lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, and cheetahs. Elephants have thrived in Hwange, with the population rising far above the level suitable for such an area. This elephant population has caused considerable tension within the park. There is much debate on how to manage this group and reduce their numbers. Park authorities culled elephants in 1967 and 1986 to control the population. After the last cull in 1986, the population doubled again within five years.

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