Water Scarcity Drives Multi-Species Migration in Africa

Seasonal animal migrations are beautiful occurrences. However, migrations that are underway because these animals are forced to find water are nothing short of sad. This is precisely what’s happening to multiple animal species in Africa- particularly elephants. 

Elephant Migration in Africa

Several news channels are reporting on an elephant migration happening in Africa right now. According to the African News channel, they have this to say. 

“Large numbers of elephants from Zimbabwe’s biggest national park are moving to neighbouring Botswana to survive. The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesman said Monday (Sep. 18) that “water bodies had dried up” in the Hwange National Park leading to the migration of the mammals.” 

Zimbabwe’s Parks and Wildlife had their spokesperson, Tinashe Farawo, address the news in regards to this migration happening. 

“We can confirm the movement of many animals from Hwange National Park into Botswana…It’s not only buffaloes and elephants but most of the animals because we are facing a lot of water shortages within the park. Most of the natural pans are now dry.” he said.

While many of the news sights are reporting that this is a pure elephant migration, we can see from Tinashe Farawo’s address that there are other animals, such as buffaloes, that are involved in this migration as well. This begs the question: what are some of the biggest animal migrations that happen every year?

Other Significant Animal Migrations

According to the Safari Deal, these are the top ten animal migrations that typically take place. 

1. The Great Wildebeest Migration – Kenya and Tanzania
2. Zebra Migration – Botswana
3. Polar Bear Migration – Canada
4. Yearly Elephant Migration – Sri Lanka
5. Emperor Penguin Migration – Antarctica
6. Fruit Bats – Zambia
7. Whale Sharks – Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula
8. Nenets Reindeer Migration – Arctic Siberia
9. Desert Elephants – Mali
10. Monarch Butterfly Migration – Southern California and Mexico