Hundreds of elephants die in Okavango Delta

Hundreds of elephants have died mysteriously in Botswana’s famed Okavango Delta, the head of the wildlife department said yesterday, ruling out poaching because the tusks were found intact.

The landlocked southern African country has the world’s largest elephant population, estimated to be about 130,000.

“We have had a report of 356 dead elephants in the area north of the Okavango Delta and we have confirmed 275 so far,” department of wildlife and national parks acting director Cyril Taolo said.

He said the cause of the deaths was yet to be established, with anthrax having been ruled out.

“We do not suspect poaching [because the] animals were found with tusks,” he said.

Samples have been collected and sent to SA, Zimbabwe and Canada for testing.

Similar deaths were first reported in May when authorities found 12 carcasses in just a week in two villages in the northwest of the country.

The latest discoveries were flagged by a wildlife conservation charity, Elephants Without Borders, whose confidential report referring to the 356 dead elephants was leaked to the media on Wednesday.

The conservation body suspects the elephants have been dying in the area for about three months.

According to the report, dated June 19, “70% of elephant carcasses were considered recent, having died about a month ago, and 30% of the carcasses appeared fresh, ranging from one day to two weeks old.

“There was good evidence to show elephants dying,” the report, penned by the conservation group’s director,

Mike Chase, said. Several live elephants appeared to have been weak, lethargic and emaciated, with some showing signs of disorientation, difficulty in walking or limping, Elephants Without Borders said.

“One elephant was observed walking in circles, unable to change direction though being encouraged by other herd members,” the report said.