www.nairaland.com/attachments/11844837_1_jpeg83b5009e040969ee7b60362ad7426573

Hundreds of elephants have mysteriously dropped dead in Botswana in what is being described as a 'conservation disaster'.

More than 350 elephants have died from unknown causes, with aerial photos showing their carcasses scattered across the Okavango Delta and other northern parts of the country.

The first unusual deaths were reported in May when 169 elephants died in a short period at the Okavango Delta, a marshy and lush wildlife habitat.

That number had almost doubled by mid June, with 70 per cent of the deaths occurring around waterholes, according to local sources.

Botswana's government has not yet tested the animal's bodies for traces of poison or pathogens, however Anthrax has been ruled out - Cyanide poisoning has previously been used by poachers in Zimbabwe.

www.nairaland.com/attachments/11844838_2_jpegea571676ce9b75b0730a5d56350ae93e

Dr Niall McCann, director of conservation at National Park Rescue told The Guardian: 'This is a mass die-off on a level that hasn't been seen in a very, very long time. Outside of drought, I don't know of a die-off that has been this significant.'

Scientists have urged the government to test the animals to ensure they do not pose a risk to human life, as human to animal pathogen transmission is at the forefront of the world's mind.

Locals in the area had reported seeing the elephants walking in circles suggesting they have been neurologically impaired either by a pathogen or a poison.

Dr McCann added: 'If you look at the carcasses, some of them have fallen straight on their face, indicating they died very quickly. Others are obviously dying more slowly, like the ones that are wandering around. So it's very difficult to say what this toxin is,'

In response to The Guardian Dr Cyril Taolo, acting director for Botswana's department of wildlife and national parks said: 'We are aware of the elephants that are dying. Out of the 350 animals we have confirmed 280 of those animals. We are still in the process of confirming the rest.'

He blamed covid-19 restrictions for the slow processing of the elephant's tests and said the tests have been sent to another country for analysis.

www.nairaland.com/attachments/11844839_3_jpeg182845aceb39c9e413e28fd549058cf8

The lack of vultures on the carcasses also caused locals to suggest something outside of a natural phenomenon was causing the deaths, with covid-19 also posed as a possibility.

Although Africa's overall elephant population is declining due to poaching, Botswana's numbers are growing.

The southern African country is home to a third of the continent's elephants and has grown a population of 80,000 to 130,000 because of well-managed reserves.

There are about 15,000 elephants in the Okavango delta, and the pull of tourists to the country's wildlife is thought to bring in around 12 per cent of its GDP.

However elephants are still under threat, farmers see them as a nuisance for destroying crops and poaching is still prevalent.

President Mokgweetsi Masisi last year lifted a five-year ban on big game hunting imposed by previous president Ian Khama.

But coronavirus travel restrictions meant that the hunting season did not take off this year.

Dr McCann said the recent deaths were a 'conservation disaster' as the country fails to protect one of its most valuable assets.

www.nairaland.com/attachments/11844840_4_jpeg9679ccb5a92f650b83fcf29e0a6a6775

www.nairaland.com/attachments/11844864_5_jpegddf9c9a45551e218c4018d5c53e9f6bb

www.nairaland.com/attachments/11844842_6_jpegc57de7ffb63a04971dc3a933cf2f080d

www.nairaland.com/attachments/11844843_7_jpegaba4c12c0307ac56aedf5e7b2dadf69b

www.nairaland.com/attachments/11844844_8_jpeg4f84f02beb6427bc9a6d8d09d2376746

www.nairaland.com/attachments/11844853_9_jpeg02519bfb266773f243fdef49420313d1

Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8479723/More-350-elephants-drop-dead-mysterious-mass-die-Botswanas-Okavango-Delta.html

The pandemic is likely affecting wildlife too

This is sad because I really love elephants.

Only a virus or disease can kill a large population so fast like this. I just hope a new virus or disease isn't in town and the human investigators should protect themselves with complete PPE before they mistakenly introduce another jungle virus to the human population. This world just dey somehow. See something as powerful as an elephant just die like mosquito but ants dey flex muscle upandan. May God continue to protect me, Amen!

flyingpig:
The pandemic is likely affecting wildlife too

This is sad because I really love elephants.

Me too, I like elephants, giraffe and zebras.

elephantus virus

You can tell this is serious because the vultures are not eating the carcass. Even lions or hyenas that eat carrion aren't coming close to the bodies. Wild animals can tell when a carcass is poisoned.
The elephants probably ingested or inhaled a toxic substance.
I hope an investigation is conducted soon.

Did anyone noticed that stagnant water in the 5th pix? Look closely there's an Elephant there, I believe that's where they were poisoned

hmmm.....after like 20yrs, one oyinbo will come and say the skeletal remains are dinosaur fossils

Such majestic animals

They got poisoned...

Most likely.

I'm 90% certain of that.

Chai..

What a painful exist..

A thorough investigation should be conducted on the elephants . Their death could be as a result of poison

Led poisoning

Damn!

The end Is near

all spiritual. elephant represents republican party in america .. means the white mans hold on africa is loosening

Yawa dey oh

:os

Saw the news on BBC just now.... Really weird!


Losing that lot is too much for African wildlife..

Many years back, I was on a safari in Serengeti...




Sorry guys.... I could have delivered a story, just got distracted on a long distance call.

I would complete it one day, I promise!

Wicked poachers committing grievous acts of this magnitude just to steal the elephants tusk.

Pretty bad.
Meanwhile
Grow back bald and receding hairline without expensive hair transplant or surgery today.
Also turns grey hair dark from the roots up.
#3500 a bottle.
Contact 0-816-662-42-68

Joxidow580:
Nice one

What's nice about it?

Poison most likely

Great loss to wildlife

Joxidow580:
Nice one

What is nice in this?

Wait, what?!

Nice one