Botswana investigating mysterious sudden deaths of 350 elephants
Experts fear unexplained mass die-off may be result of unknown pathogen
Scientists are struggling to explain the sudden deaths of more than 350 elephants in northern Botswana, in what has been described as a “conservation disaster”.
The spate of elephant deaths in the southern African nation’s Okavango Delta was first reported in early May, with 169 confirmed to have died by the end of the month. “By mid June, the number had more than doubled,” The Guardian reports.
Some carcasses were found clustered around waterholes, while others appear to have fallen “flat on their faces”, says Niall McCann, director of conservation at UK charity National Park Rescue.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Witnesses say that live elephants seen nearby have appeared physically weak, with at least one animal “walking in circles, unable to change direction”, reports CNN.
The Botswana government says that laboratories in Canada, South Africa and Zimbabwe have been asked to “process the samples taken from the dead elephants”, in a bid to explain the mass die-off.
In a report prepared for the authorities, conservation organisation Elephants Without Borders (EWB) said aerial surveys showed that elephants of all ages appeared to be dying, according to Reuters.
The deaths come a year after an elephant hunting ban was repealed in Botswana, which is home to around 130,000 of the animals - almost a third of the total on the continent.
However, investigators say the carcasses were found with the tusks intact. And while cyanide poisoning is sometimes used by poachers, “it is only elephants that are dying and nothing else”, says McCann said. “If it was cyanide used by poachers, you would expect to see other deaths.”
Instead, the cause of the death could be a parasite - or even coronavirus.
“There is no precedent for this being a natural phenomenon but without proper testing, it will never be known,” said McCann.
Until test results are available, “it is impossible to rule out the possibility of a disease crossing into the human population - especially if the cause is in either the water sources or the soil”, says the BBC.
McCann warns: “It is a conservation disaster - but it also has the potential to be a public health crisis.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
Who are the markets backing in the US election?
Talking Point Speculators are piling in on the Trump trade. A Harris victory would come as a surprise
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: November 3, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published