Hundreds of Elephants Die Mysteriously in Botswana
Around 350 elephants have been found dead under mysterious circumstances in Botswana.
Around 350 elephants have been found dead under mysterious circumstances in Botswana.
When local conservationists took a flight in early May over the Okavango Delta of northern Botswana, they witnessed around 169 elephants lying dead. Most of them were falling on their faces and some of them were walking in circles before dying indicating neurological impairment.
Dr McCann of the UK-based charity National Park Rescue told BBC, “To be able to see and count that many in a three-hour flight was extraordinary.”
A month later more than 350 carcasses were found. McCain said that only elephants seem to be dying and no other animal. Both male and female elephants have died. A majority of them were found near water holes.
Locals say that they have seen many elephants weak which means more deaths can occur.
The government officials are exploring all possible causes of death.
McCann added: “It could make its way to humans and that's very worrying at a time when the transmission of diseases from animals to humans is very much on people's minds because of the coronavirus.”
Poisoning by anthrax has been ruled out for now. It could also be an unknown pathogen. It is still being investigated whether the cause of the deaths is naturally occurring or because of humans. Samples have been sent to the lab and the results are expected in a couple of weeks.
Dr. McCann said it is the "most shocking conservation event of his lifetime".
