Botswana: 350 elephants were killed in the green algae attack

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It has been found that the cause of the death of hundreds of elephants in Botswana, Africa was due to the green algae in the puddle. About 350 elephants were found dead near the Okavango Delta in Botswana from May to June. Considering the fact that the number of dead elephants and ivory remained in the field, it was difficult to see it as an act of poachers. In response, a group of experts from South Africa, Canada, and the United States was formed to confirm the cause of death.

According to the BBC on the 21st, a veterinarian of the Botswana National Park Department Mmmadi Ruben said at a press conference that in a recent investigation, the death of the elephant group was found to be due to neurotoxins from cyanobacteria, (blue-green algae), which multiply in rivers and lakes, cause green algae, produce some toxins. When this toxin accumulates, it is known that it can kill animals with various toxicity such as neurotoxin. 70% of the dead elephants were found near waterholes where the green algae phenomenon appeared and from the beginning, green algae has been pointed out as a major cause.

However, Ruben said, Why only elephants were killed and this happened only in the area (Okavango Delta), we need to investigate further.

In this regard, scientists have speculated that elephants spend more time bathing than other animals and drink large amounts of water, making them more susceptible to cyanobacteria. Experts also warn that the risk of recurrence is high as green algae is becoming more frequent due to recent climate change. Botswana is the world's most populated country with about 130,000 elephants.