55 endangered vultures found dead from suspected poisoning in Botswana

Over fifty white backed vultures have been found dead in Botswana in a case of alleged poisoning. Government authorities on Thursday said 55 dead white backed vultures in Mmadikola village, near Boteti River, a natural watercourse that derives flow from the core Okavango Delta through the Thamalakane River in Maun.

Onalenna Mokgachane, spokesperson for Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism said,

Meanwhile, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Birdlife Botswana and Raptors Botswana are investigating the cause of the deaths. Mokgachane has pleaded with the nation to assist with any information that may lead to the motive behind the death of these vultures. Last year, a total of 537 vultures and two eagles were found dead, after poisoning believed to have been caused by three poached elephants laced with poison in the central district of Botswana.