ZAMBEZI RIVER

The Zambezi River is one of the most iconic rivers in Africa.

The Zambezi River is a fascinating and wide-ranging river system in Africa. It is the fourth longest river in Africa and it stretches for over 2,000 miles. The Zambezi River is home to a variety of fascinating animals, including the hippopotamus, crocodile, elephant, buffalo, impala, zebra and many more. The river provides an important source of drinking water for local communities and wildlife in surrounding areas. However, human activity along the river is causing significant environmental damage. It is crucial that we take measures to preserve this beautiful river for future generations.

FACTS ABOUT THE ZAMBEZI RIVER AND ANIMALS INHABITING IT The Zambezi River is the longest river of southern Africa. It flows for a distance of over 2,000 miles from its source in Zambia to the Mozambique border. The Zambezi River Basin covers a vast area of 1.8 million square miles and drains an area of approximately 332,000 square miles. The river meanders its way through Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola, Botswana and Mozambique. Throughout its journey, it passes through a series of rapids known as 'Hell's Gate' and sustains a number of hydroelectric dams along its banks. This water provides a vital source of water for local communities and wildlife in the surrounding countries. It flows through the large national parks of Namibia and South Africa before joining the ocean at the Indian Ocean in South Africa.

In the early 1900s, the Zambezi was one of the most important trade routes in the region. Hundreds of ships sailed up and down the rivers transporting goods and supplies between Africa and Europe. Large amounts of ivory were also shipped from South Africa to Asia in large quantities during this period. These activities had a devastating effect on the wildlife in the region. The animals became entangled in the netting used to catch the ivory and this often resulted in their death. This resulted in a massive decline in the number of elephants in the area. Today, the once flourishing elephant population along the Zambezi has been reduced to less than 1000 animals.

There are many incredible creatures that call the Zambezi home. One of the most famous of these is the Hippopotamus. These creatures are native to the riverine areas of sub-Saharan Africa and are one of the largest species of mammals on the continent. They can grow up to a height of 5 meter

s and weigh up to 3 tons! They are incredibly powerful swimmers and can swim at speeds in excess of 30km/h. Despite these impressive physical abilities, they are notoriously shy animals and spend most of their time in the water in the deepest parts of the river. Hippos are also very territorial animals and are constantly on the lookout for threats to their territory. This has led to an increase in conflict between hippos and humans. Many people have been injured and even killed by these dangerous creatures over the years. Fortunately, these animals are not man-eaters as is sometimes believed. They mainly feed on vegetation which they pick up out of the water with their powerful jaws.

Another fascinating creature that inhabits the Zambezi is the African Fish Eagle. This bird is the largest eagle in Africa and can reach a size of over 2 meters in height. It is distinctive in appearance due to its bright yellow plumage and large hooked beak. Although similar in appearance to other eagles, the African Fish Eagle is quite different from the others in several key respects. Unlike most other birds, it flies low over the water looking for prey rather than soaring high in the air. It is also much more aggressive than many other bird species and has a number of unique behaviors which help it to hunt its prey. Its primary hunting technique is to pursue its prey at high speed in the skies above the water before diving down to attack it with sharp claws and powerful beak. It hunts a wide variety of prey including fish, small crocodiles and even small monkeys! The African Fish Eagle has also been known to steal food from other birds and regularly dines on carrion when the opportunity arises. It is a highly-adaptive species and is able to thrive in many different habitats from swamps to dry forests and mountains. As a result, it has been very successful at spreading throughout Africa and there are now estimated to be more than 60,000 individuals living in the wild. This is a truly magnificent bird which is well worth a visit to Zambia if you are ever fortunate enough to be able to visit this beautiful country! There are other interesting creatures that live in the river as well, including otters, crocodiles and elephants. However, perhaps the most extraordinary of them all is the Giant Freshwater Stingray! This is one of the largest stingrays in the world and can be up to 4 meters in length! The Giant Freshwater Stingray is a very agile swimmer and can easily navigate through the water with its long tail. It can even travel upstream against the flow of the river for short distances if necessary. It is usually found in rivers or lakes where it feeds on small fish and crustaceans which it catches using its fearsome looking teeth. The Giant Freshwater Stingray is a harmless creature which poses no threat to humans but it is illegal in most countries to keep these creatures in captivity as they are an endangered species. It should also be treated with great respect as you can be fined or even imprisoned for touching one! A fascinating fact about the Giant Freshwater Stingray is that it can produce up to 1 million eggs per year which are fertilized internally and then released into the water where they hatch into baby stingrays! They are kept safely within the mother's protective pouch for the first few months of their lives before they venture out into the world for the first time. Overall, the Zambezi River is an incredible place which is home to an abundance of wonderful wildlife. It is the perfect place to visit if you love wildlife and are fascinated by the natural world. I would recommend it to anyone who is visiting Zambia on their travels as it is a truly magical place and it will not disappoint!