Gorongosa 2024-FULL-FINAL - Flipbook - Page 15
ELEPHANTS IN THE ROOM
Before the civil war, there were
more than 4,000 wild elephants
in the park. During that time,
they were hunted until only
about 400 remained, but have
since begun to rebound. Today,
there are about 1,000 elephants
at Gorongosa—and they’re vital
to the ecosystem. One elephant
consumes about 300 pounds of
leaves, shrubs, fruits, and roots
a day. Their dung helps fertilize
soil and spread seeds, furthering
cycles of vegetation growth and
ensuring plant diversity.
