29 Sept, 2008

During the dry season in the delta, animals must keep moving to find food and water.

Because of the dry and harsh conditions that Botswana's Okavango Delta is experiencing at the moment, many of the herds of elephant are concentrating their movements along and through areas with plenty of water or plenty of food.

The breeding herd we found today was concentrating its movements inland, and was taking advantage of a large area of candlepod acacias (Acacia hebeclada) close to our camp in Moremi Game Reserve. There were several calves and teenagers in this small herd, and each kept close to its mother's side while feeding between the thorny bushes.

We watched as one of the older teenagers pulled off thorny hebeclada branches and munched on them, obviously not fazed by the long white thorns.

The dry branches didn't seem to have any nutritious value, considering the lack of leaves, but we assumed the elephants were after the bark and younger stems of the bush. The elephant chewed on the woody branches and we could hear its loud crunching from metres away.

The herd also ate a lot of the dry grass beneath them. This too looked unappetising, but the grass grows in and around the salty white mineral deposits from dried-up pans, and must have a high mineral content.

It is always lovely to be in the presence of these giants. They are generally so calm and relaxed, yet they demonstrate such power and strength. The herd moved off fairly slowly, following the adult cows, no doubt in search of their next patch of sustenance.

– by Julie King, Earth-Touch crew © Earth-Touch

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