Hundreds of Elephants Die in Botswana

Hundreds of elephant carcasses have been spotted in the Okavango Delta, representing a unprecedented mass dying and conservation disaster.  Botswana has become a last refuge for the African elephant that is under extreme pressure of extinction in the wild.  The government was alerted to the tragedy in early May after conservationists saw 169 dead elephants in a three hour flight over the Delta.  Later, more than 350 elephant carcasses were counted.  Botswana authorities ruled out poaching since ivory tusks had not been removed.  Drought is not a factor at this time, so the reason for the mass deaths remain a mystery for now.  Samples have been taken and sent to labs for analysis.  Results are expected in a few weeks.

BBC News

Botswana has been a elephant success story with the largest remaining population of the large mammals on the continent. 130,451 is the estimate given by the Great Elephant Census. Elephants are fleeing into Botswana to escape poachers and loss of habitat in neighboring countries.  Coexistence with humans in Botswana is not entirely peaceful, however. Many are killed by locals due to competition for food; poison is sometimes used to eliminate competitors.  The government is very sensitive to any perception that it is protecting elephants over human inhabitants.   Anthrax, which lives in the soil and infects livestock, is a possible natural cause. Evidence at the scene indicates something is affecting the elephants' neurological system--falling on their faces, and walking in circles before they die--consistent with hoof and mouth disease, but also with poisoning.  A definitive answer for causation is needed since whatever is killing Botswana's elephants could be a danger to humans.

US COVID-19 deaths (est.): 186,200