Africa: Wildlife Parks Face Climate And Infrastructure Threats

Africa's national parks, home to thousands of wildlife species such as lions, elephants and buffaloes, are increasingly threatened by climate and new infrastructure projects.

Climate change and large-scale developments, including oil drilling and livestock grazing, are hampering conservation efforts in protected areas, several environmental experts say.

ABC News on Thursday says the at-risk parks include such as Nairobi national parks, Mkomazi and Serengeti parks in Tanzania, the Quirimbas and Gorongosa parks in Mozambique and the famous Kruger National Park in South Africa.

An estimated 38% of Africa’s biodiversity areas are under severe threat from climate change and infrastructure development, said Ken Mwathe of BirdLife International.

Ken said; “Key biodiversity areas over the years, especially in Africa, have been regarded by investors as idle and ready for development.

“Governments allocate land in these areas for infrastructural development.”

He added that the “powerlines and other energy infrastructure cause collisions with birds, due to low visibility. The numbers killed this way are not few.”

It's added that more intensive management of parks and removing fences that prevent species from migrating to less drought-prone areas are important steps to protecting wildlife.