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Pictures of Chobe elephants   Botswana THE ELEPHANTS OF CHOBE
Pictures of elephants in northern Botswana

 
Picture of elephants, Chobe
A REFUGE FOR THE GREAT WANDERERS

Elephants once ranged unrestrained through much of Africa, but have now been decimated across most of the continent.  In northern Botswana, the Chobe National Park and adjoining Moremi Game Reserve host one of the largest remaining populations of these huge herbivores.  In a dramatic natural spectacle, thousands of elephants congregate close to the Chobe River. 
This is one of the greatest gatherings of elephants left anywhere in the world.  In these protected areas of Botswana, we can still marvel at large herds of these intelligent and fascinating beasts.
Picture of elephants, Chobe
Picture of elephants, Chobe
Elephants drinking from the waters of the Chobe River in Botswana
Photo of elephant, Botswana
Elephants are powerful, imposing and dignified
The emotive issue of elephant population control

Elephants can have a massive impact on the African landscape.  They eat huge amounts of vegetation and need a lot of space, but throughout the continent their natural migration paths have been severely restricted by human encroachment.

Photo of elephant, Botswana
Photo of elephant, Botswana

A limited range for roaming can mean high environmental impact by constrained herds.  In Botswana, the large concentrations of elephants have an immense impact on woodlands close to the Chobe River.  These big herbivores have destroyed great swathes of trees in their ceaseless quest for food.  While some regard this destruction as undesirable, others claim it is natural change within an ecosystem.
Chobe, Botswana
The situation in this elephant-battered landscape has led to emotive debates about whether the elephant population should be controlled.  This is a sad and bizarre situation, particularly since elephants have been decimated across most of Africa and have been the subject of passionate conservation efforts.
Okavango Delta, Botswana
More pictures from Botswana

The Moremi National Park forms part of the famed Okavango Delta where the waters of the Okavango River fan out to create a sprawling oasis that is a haven for animals.

For more pictures of the abundant wildlife of the Okavango Delta...

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