Botswanna Blames Toxic Algae

The Botswanna government finally announced on Monday what it thinks caused the sudden mass mortality of 330 of its iconic elephants. Elephants died suddenly eariler this year in northwestern Botswanna exhibiting symptoms of poisoning. After investigation, the government said that the elephants probably drank water containing toxic blue-green algae from seaonal pans (ponds). Cyanobacterium are know to cause neurological disorders in animals. The unexplained mortality ceased after the pans dried up. Scavangers feeding on the elephant carcasses in the Serongo showed no signs of illness. The microorganism is thought to interfere with neurological signals eventually causing paralysis and death, primarily from respiratroy failure. Investigators ruled out human causation. Herders have posioned water to exterminate unwanted animals, including elephants, in the past. Botswanna has an estimated remaining population of 130,000 African bush elephants (Loxodonta africana) that attract thousands of tourist to the country every year. Governement officials promised to begin monitoring pans and proving tests to detect the presence of blue-green algae.