France, July 8 -- Southern Africa's elephant population has grown to over 230,000 - a conservation success that is creating new problems for people living alongside the animals. Zimbabwe, at the centre of this growth, is trying to balance protecting nature with keeping communities safe and the environment sustainable.

Zimbabwe's elephant population has grown steadily over the past decade thanks to intensive national and regional conservation strategies.

According to Tinashe Farawo, spokesperson for the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), the country's elephant count has risen from around 84,000-90,000 in 2014 to over 100,000 today, growing by roughly 5 percent per year.

This success is supported by both local i...