Tragedy explained: experts have figured out why elephants mysteriously die in Botswana

However, from March this year, the largest pachyderms on the planet began to die mysteriously, killing more than 300 in a relatively short time. The first suspects were poachers, but this hypothesis was ruled out by the fact that dead elephants had intact tusks. The mystery thus remained unsolved for some time. Now it seems that scientists have finally found a solution.

“The deaths of the elephants were caused by poisoning caused by cyanobacteria that grew in pits filled with water,” Mmadi Reuben, chief veterinarian of the Botswana Ministry of Wilderness and National Parks, told reporters. According to him, the sudden extinction of elephants stopped at the end of June 2020, which corresponds to the time when these temporary bodies of water began to dry up.

The first report of an unusual elephant death occurred on April 25, mentioning cases around the village of Seronga. In May, the numbers of dead animals began to escalate.

According to the Botswana Wildlife Bureau, approximately 330 animals have died. Blood tests performed on carcasses confirmed the hypothesis that the cause was a species of cyanobacteria producing neurotoxins. The tests were performed in specialized laboratories in South Africa, Canada, Zimbabwe and the United States. The Botswana government has said research into bacteria is continuing.

Elephants are able to travel long distances, but they like to stay out of the reach of the water, because they drink 130 to 190 liters a day and enjoy bathing. In winter, when there is a shortage of open water, they are irrigated by eating the roots and bark of baobabs, whose wood retains water.

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