Lubango - The lack of water in the 12 watering holes created for animals in the Bicuar National Park, in central Huila province, is forcing the constant movement of herds of elephants to villages on the banks of the Cunene River, where they have caused damage and deaths.
These water points, normally used during the dry season, are supported by artesian boreholes which are all out of action due to malfunctions in the solar energy system.
On Wednesday morning, a herd of 40 elephants went to the Capelongo and Freixiel areas in search of water
Speaking to ANGOP on Thursday, the administrator of the nature reserve, José Maria Candungo, underlined the urgent need to invest in the recovery of the four water boreholes in the area, as well as the construction of others to prevent the elephants from moving.
He added that the four boreholes in the park have been useless for a year, a situation that falls under the responsibility of the Ministry of the Environment, which has promised resources to restore them.
Candungo added that a plan has been outline for new boreholes to be opened by a company that has already been hired, however due to the lack of funding woks have not yet started, in a park that needs a total of 18 boreholes to ensure that the elephants don't leave the area.
"The elephant leaves the park to drink water, and as we no longer have enough of the liquid in the park, the animal has to look outside and on the way it invades the fields and the population…," he said.
Candungo deplored the behavior of the population, who insist on running up to the elephants to take photographs, which is why the National Police in Matala and the park inspectors are paying close attention to raising awareness.
José Maria Candungo warned the population to be prepared, since in the coming years, the movement of elephants in the area will increase, due to the absence of hunting, and with this the herds will grow, as the park currently has an estimated population of 600 elephants.
The last invasion of the park's elephants into the communities took place in May this year, causing the death of one person and three others injured, in the commune of Tyinkonko, Quipungo municipality.
The Bicuar National Park is located 165 kilometers from Lubango city, in an 7,900 square kilometers area, occupying land in the municipalities of Quipungo, Matala, Chibia and Gambos.
The park that operates under the supervision of the Ministry of the Environment was established as a game reserve in 1938 and elevated to a National Park in December 1964. It was created with the aim of protecting and defending various wild animals. MS/TED/AMP
