Unexplained deaths of Botswana elephants

[Ladybird69]

I read an article about unexplained deaths of Botswana elephants, but the tusks were left intact,so it wasn’t poachers. What is the new danger to the elephants now? Micro fungal spores were found at the drinking pools but why? I can understand but no way justify poaching but just killing them for absolutely no reason, why.

I’d not heard about this but Chester zoo have an issue with their young elephants dying and they don’t know the cause. I think I read it happens at other zoos as well and it’s only been over the last 5 or so years.

Elephants have a genetic virus it might be that although the Chester zoo elephants were young, under 3 ( I think) such a shame.

Ah it is only Asian Elephants that have the virus i m taking about.

@Mrsjayy

Ah it is only Asian Elephants that have the virus i m taking about.

No a very similar herpes virus has been observed and been fatal in African elephants in the USA. And it doesn’t just seem to be elephants in captivity either. Quite worrying for the future elephants as it seems to have a high fatality rate.

Oh ok, how sad.

Poor ellies

If it is a similar to Herpes virus then that would explain the very young dying. I just pray that they aren’t wiped out, they are vulnerable enough with poachers.

Was this the elephants that died last year?

I think they found toxic algae in water was to blame

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-54234396#:~:text=Officials%20say%20a%20total%20of,as%20a%20cause%20of%20death.&text=Cyanobacteria%20are%20toxic%20bacteria%20which,known%20as%20blue%2Dgreen%20algae.

How many baby elephants have died at Chester Zoo from this virus.