Longer Droughts in Zimbabwe Take a Toll on Wildlife and Cause More Frequent Clashes with People

An antelope feeds on leaves from a tree in Gonarezhou National Park, Oct. 30, 2023. A game counter uses binoculars to spot animals coming to drink at a waterhole in Gonarezhou National Park, Oct. 29 2023. A game counter jots down notes on animals spotted during a game count in Gonarezhou National Park, Oct. 29, 2023. A South African Hornbill bird is seen in Gonarezhou National Park, Oct. 30, 2023. Baboons and other wildlife are spotted on the banks of the Mwenzi river in Gonarezhou National Park, Oct. 28, 2023.

In a remote southeastern corner of Zimbabwe, people watched from cars or towers in an annual wildlife census, peering through binoculars at animals coming to drink at waterholes and jotting down notes, often by torchlight.