Botswana solves elephant mystery

Botswana finds cause of elephant deaths - 5th October 2020

Earlier this year, hundreds of elephants in Botswana died after drinking toxins from waterholes, the government has announced.

The deaths of 350 elephants in the Okavango Delta had totally confused scientists. They called the situation a "conservation disaster". They thought that the two possible causes were poisoning or an unknown bacteria.

Mmadi Reuben, a veterinary officer for the Botswana government, announced that waterhole tests had discovered neurotoxins. The neurotoxins are harmful bacteria which are produced by algae.

Scientists originally dismissed toxins as a possible cause of death because no other species had died. However, they changed their minds as elephants spend a lot of time washing themselves in the water. They also drink much greater quantities of water than other animals. Almost three quarters of the elephants that died were near waterholes which contained algae.

At one point, scientists had thought that the elephants could have been deliberately poisoned. Illegal hunters often kill elephants for their ivory tusks. These can sell for huge amounts of money. However, the tusks of these elephants were never removed.

There are around 15,000 elephants in the delta, and tourists come from around the world to see them. Botswana's economy depends on this eco-tourism, so the deaths are very concerning for both conservationists and the government.

Climate change is increasing the amount of harmful algae around the world. The Botswana government will be monitoring waterholes for algae during the next rainy season. They want to make every effort to avoid a repeat of this disaster.