Page 18 - Discover Botswana 23rd Edition 2023

The Okavango, like many wetlands, is very sensitive to external factors. The above process has been essentially the same for the roughly 2-million-year lifespan of the ecosystem, with some fluctuations as its contributing factors change. However, planet earth is entering a human-created climate that will likely see change happen faster than ever before. Although well protected on the whole, there are concerning factors that could have serious consequences for the Okavango. Temperatures in the region are recorded as exponentially rising, which may cause faster evaporation and therefore less water. A rising population and increased economic activity are also huge threats on the demand for water, as well as to the ecological stability of the area.
Previous pages: Late afternoon and it is time to get on the move. A young and rather fat female Leopard yawns and stretches before slinking down the tree and away into the gathering darkness.
Above: A group of Elephant enjoy a midday splash and drink in a clear Okavango channel.
Top Right: A Pearl Spotted Owlet looks up
in annoyance at a chattering Drongo that persistently advertises the owlet’s presence to anyone that is listening.
Right: On a wet and dewy morning, a Lioness lounges on a dry log, keeping her eye on a herd of lechwe in the distance.
18 www.discoverbotswanathebook.biz