Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest and perhaps best-known National Park which is located in the northwest corner of Zimbabwe, hosts more than 100 mammal species and more than 400 bird species. During the rainy season, the Park’s greenery gets amplified by 200 different species of grasses, and natural hollows in the ground hold water for animals to drink. However, the Park has no natural surface water, and during the dry winter months (normally April through November), water becomes an issue for many animals—particularly African elephants, who drink approximately 200 liters of water a day. With Africa’s ongoing drought, the situation is serious.

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Over the years, park management dug boreholes, powered by windmills and diesel pumps, to create watering holes called “pans” to help ensure animals had access to water year-round. However, diesel is expensive, polluting and unreliable, so Friends of Hwange (FOH), converted all the water pumps in the Park to solar, drilling extra boreholes in some cases to increase water output. However, because of the drought, and since solar (without batteries) only works during the day, there hasn't been adequate water for wildlife.

Empowered by Light has supported two pans with solar and batteries so pumps can provide water into the night. Elephants like to drink at night and remain in the shade during the heat of the day. Drinking at night minimizes their heat exposure and relieves pressure on the pan during the day so other species—less affected by heat, such as antelope and zebra, get a chance to access the water. We hope to support more pans in the Park to combat the effects of the drought.