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What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
NEW DELHI: The puzzling deaths of 350 African elephants in Botswana’s Okavango Panhandle in 2020 have finally been explained. A recent study published in the journal Science of ‘The Total Environment’ has linked these tragic deaths to toxic cyanobacteria blooms in nearby waterholes. This mass die-off was one of the largest wildlife mortality events in southern Africa which left researchers and conservationists deeply concerned.
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Okavango Panhandle is a remote region in northeastern Botswana and has long been a hotspot for poaching. However, poaching was quickly ruled out in this case as the elephants’ tusks were intact. Initial investigations also considered diseases like anthrax and encephalomyocarditis virus but these were deemed unlikely due to the absence of typical symptoms. The Botswana government initially attributed the deaths to cyanobacterial toxins but the evidence remained inconclusive until now.
What Happened in 2020?
Researchers utilized satellite data and spatial analysis to study approximately 3,000 waterholes in the region. They identified 20 waterholes near fresh elephant carcasses that showed a significant increase in cyanobacteria bloom events in 2020. These waterholes recorded the highest phytoplankton biomass in nearly a decade. Cyanobacteria thrive in stagnant, nutrient-rich waters, producing toxins that can be lethal to animals.
Elephants were found to have traveled an average of 16.5 kilometers before dying within 88 hours of drinking from contaminated waterholes. This suggests that exposure to cyanotoxins was likely a major factor in their deaths. Climate extremes, such as drought, likely exacerbated the blooms by creating favorable conditions for cyanobacteria growth.
While cyanotoxins remain the primary suspect, researchers caution that other factors could have contributed. Recent findings in neighbouring Zimbabwe point to Pasteurella bacteria as a potential cause of similar elephant deaths, further complicating the picture. Logistical challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic hindered on-ground sampling, making definitive conclusions difficult.
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The study underscores the growing threat of cyanobacteria blooms which are becoming more frequent due to climate change and human activities such as agricultural runoff. These blooms pose risks not only to wildlife but also to human health. The researchers emphasized the importance of using satellite data and eco-hydrological models to monitor water quality and wildlife health in remote areas.
This innovative approach could serve as a blueprint for preventing similar mass mortality events worldwide and improving conservation strategies for vulnerable species like elephants. As ecosystems face increasing pressure from climate change and human impact, the study calls for urgent action to address the root causes of environmental degradation and safeguard wildlife habitats.
