Spatial distribution of elephants (LOXODONTA AFRICANA) in Hwange Mining Concession area
Abstract
In this study we tested whether and how environmental factors such as distance from water
points inside mine dumps, distance from water points outside mine dumps, distance away from
settlements, distance away from agricultural fields, distance from mine dumps and NDVI
(vegetation cover) significantly predict the spatial distribution of elephants in the mining area of
Hwange, Zimbabwe. To achieve this, we digitized different land cover strata in the study area
which included mine dumps, agricultural fields, settlements and water points from satellite
remotely sensed data made available in Google Earth. Elephant data was collected as presence
and absence based on presence indicators such as dung piles. Logistic regression was used to
relate elephant data and environmental variables. Results show that distance away from mine
dumps, distance away from settlements, distance away from water points outside mine dumps
and NDVI are significantly (p<0.05) related with elephant distribution. Distance away from
water points inside the mine dumps and distance from agricultural fields are however not
significantly (p>0.05) related with elephant presence. The results imply that if elephants are to
exist sustainably in areas dominated by mining activities, wildlife conservation strategies should
be adopted. The conservation strategies should involve reclamation of the mine dumps through
reforestation since elephants rely on forests for food and habitat.
Subject
spatial distribution of elephantsmining area
land cover strata
mine dumps
elephant presence
elephants habitat