Botswana elephant death mystery solved - 5th October 2020

Earlier this year, hundreds of elephants died after ingesting toxins from waterholes, according to Botswana government officials.

The mysterious death of 350 elephants in the Okavango Delta baffled scientists, who described it as a "conservation disaster". They believed the deaths could have been caused by poisoning or an unknown bacteria.

Mmadi Reuben, a veterinary officer at the Botswana Department of Wildlife and National Parks, carried out tests on waterholes. He announced the tests had identified the presence of cyanobacterial neurotoxins, which are harmful bacteria produced by algae blooms.

Toxins were initially rejected as the cause of the deaths as no other species had died. However, scientists now believe elephants may be more vulnerable to the bacteria due to the length of time they spend bathing and quantities of water they drink. Three out of four of the deceased elephants were discovered near waterholes containing algae blooms.

Researchers also examined the possibility that illegal hunting may have been responsible for the deaths. Elephant poachers often use cyanide to poison elephants to remove their tusks. However, as these elephants’ tusks were not removed, it suggests poachers were not the culprits.

There are an estimated 15,000 elephants in the Delta, which makes up 10 per cent of the country's elephant population. Botswana's economy is dependent on eco-tourism, so the mysterious deaths have alarmed both government officials and conservationists.

Across the globe, the presence of harmful algae blooms is increasing due to climate change. The Botswana government will be monitoring and testing waterholes for blooms during the next rainy season. They hope to do all they can to prevent a recurrence of this disaster.