Mysterious elephant deaths: the smallest killed the largest

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Some staggered in circles and then collapsed, others fell as if struck by lightning: Three years ago, about 400 elephants, the largest land animals in the world, died mysterious deaths in Zimbabwe and Botswana. The photos with the numerous carcasses went around the world.

Scientists wondered: were they poisoned? The pachyderms’ tusks were not stolen, so poachers were not the cause. Also striking: many elephants died close to each other, but not next to each other – and sometimes several within 24 hours.

The researchers examined elephant carcasses, dissected them in protective suits and evaluated the samples in American laboratories. It is now clear: the elephants died of blood poisoning caused by bacteria. The pathogen Bisgaard taxon 45 was found in some of them. The trade journal ‘Nature Communications’ published the scientists’ findings.

Elephants were also weakened

These bacteria are actually only found in lions or tigers; it is possible that they were transmitted to the elephants through lion bites. According to the study authors, the elephants were looking for food at the time of death. Long walks had weakened them and their immune systems, allowing the bacteria to wreak havoc.

According to the authors, the fact that it took so long for the researchers to discover the bacterium was due to the poor quality of the samples. Most carcasses had already been digested at the time the samples were taken. (neo)

Source: Blick