WHAT TRIGGERED THE LARGE-SCALE ELEPHANT DEATHS IN BOTSWANA?

The mysterious deaths of 330 elephants in Botswana over the past few months had scientists and conservationists scratching their heads.

Initially it was thought that poaching by means of poisoning was to blame but it was quickly realised that other animals were seemingly unaffected, even though they made use of the same water resources.

After exhaustive studies in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Canada and the USA, it was finally discovered that the culprit was microscopic toxins created by algae in the water that the elephants drank from. The toxins, known as cyanobacteria, occur naturally in standing water sources and can grow into large blooms.

The elephants died after ingesting the water and most of the carcasses were found around water sources.

What is cyanobacteria? Its found around the world in nutrient-rich waters and some species of cyanobacteria produce toxins that can be lethal for animals and humans. Humans are most often exposed to cyanobacteria when drinking or bathing in contaminated water. Symptoms include skin irritation, stomach cramps, diarrhoea, fever, sore throat, nausea and headaches. Animals, birds and fish can all be poisoned by high levels of cyanobacteria.

These elephant deaths were worrying because Botswana is home to approximately a third of Africa’s elephant population.

Source: www.africasustain ableconservation.com