Elephant feces as a non-invasive bioindicator of heavy metals and pesticides in the Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia

Heavy metals and pesticides are major environmental pollutants that endanger ecosystems. The Lower Zambezi National Park (LZNP), which is home to African savanna elephants and diverse wildlife, faces increasing anthropogenic pressure from a copper mining project licensed in 2021. Even though the license has been revoked, whether mining will resume remains unclear. Elephants eat a variety of plants, have a long migration distance, and have a long lifespan; therefore, they can be significantly affected by the variety and long-term exposure to pollutants and serve as bioindicators of environmental contamination.