MYSTERIES DEATHS OF BOTSWANA ELEPHANTS FINALLY REVEALED

Its now more than 3 months the giants of Botswana jungles are dying mysteries deaths. The aerial surveys of the large parts of Okavango Delta showed the carcasses of hundreds of elephants. The intact tusk ruled out the possibility of poaching. Tests further ruled out the infection from deadly Anthrax. Hence, it became the challenge to find out the cause of these mass deaths. The forensic samples collected from the corpse send to specialist labs in Canada, US, South Africa, and Zimbabwe for analysis.  Results received finally revealing the cause of mass mortality of the giants of the African jungles.

 

Blue-green algae or cyanobacteria

The blue-green algae though often called algae but are not algae, in fact are variety of bacteria called cyanobacteria. They are commonly present in stagnant water bodies rich in nutrients (mainly phosphorus). When the environmental conditions particularly temperature is warmer the cyanobacteria grows quickly forming blooms giving impression of algal blooms. Certain cyanobactria produce toxins termed as cyanotoxins proved to cause illness in humans and animals.

 

Cyanotoxins

Cyanobacteria produce a variety of toxic metabolites which primarily includes hepatotoxins, dermatoxins, and neurotoxins. These toxins include a hepatoxin (microcystin-LR (MCLR), nodularins and cylindrospermopsins), dermatoxins (lyngbyatoxin-a and aplysiatoxin),  and a neurotoxins (β-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA), anatoxins and saxitoxins). Very high incidences of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)/Parkinsonism-dementia complex (ALS/PDC), in the western pacific island of Guam also relates to the neurotoxins of cyanobacteria.

These toxins when ingested in high quantity (through drinking water usually) cause vomiting, diarrhea, rash, eye irritation, cough, sore throat, and headache. High amount of toxin make the condition even worst particularly due to the lack of any specific treatment. Poor animals do not have other sources of water (other than these contaminated water holes) and their misery goes unnoticed.

Environmental perspective

Global warming leading to rise in the global temperature, but we still do not know its devastating effects on our environment, flora and fauna. Warmer temperature causes cyanobacterial blooms in the stagnant waters making it toxic to humans and animals. The death of the hundreds of elephants of Botswana hence ultimately linked to the human industrial activity.

We just need to think over it.