The sudden deaths of African elephants in Botswana and Zimbabwe in 2020 sparked widespread concern and speculation. This brought the attention of experts who have now revealed that the mass deaths could be linked to global warming and the climate crisis. In a recent report, scientists have ruled out poaching and poisoning as the cause of the outbreaks, pointing instead to the impact of environmental conditions on the elephants’ health.
Initially, environmental intoxication, infectious diseases, and increased habitat stress due to drought were considered as potential causes. However, further investigation led to the discovery that the elephants died as a result of declining food and water resources during the dry season, forcing them to travel long distances in search of sustenance. This increased travel made them more susceptible to a bacterial infection.
The research, published in the journal Nature Communications, identified a little-known bacterium called Bisgaard taxon 45 as the cause of the deaths. The study, titled “Pasteurella sp. associated with fatal septicaemia in six African elephants,” highlighted evidence of septicemia, or blood poisoning, in the elephants. The findings shed light on the growing threats to African elephants, which have seen a significant decline in numbers due to poaching and habitat destruction. According to the IUCN Red List, elephant populations have decreased by 144,000 between 2007 and 2014, with ongoing losses projected at 8% per year.
The study’s conclusion highlights the urgent need to address the environmental and human factors contributing to the decline of African elephants. As the flagship species in the region, their conservation is crucial for maintaining the ecological balance and biodiversity. The findings underscore the complex challenges facing wildlife in the era of climate change, and the importance of proactive measures to protect vulnerable species from similar threats in the future.