Toxic algae linked to mass elephant deaths in Botswana
In 2020, more than 350 elephants in Botswana's Okavango Delta died after drinking water contaminated with toxic algae.
Scientists have now confirmed that the deaths were caused by cyanobacteria, a type of blue-green algae that can produce deadly toxins in standing water.
The contaminated waterholes were spread across 6,000 square kilometres in the Okavango Delta. According to researchers, elephants died after drinking from these waterholes.
They concluded that averagely, the elephants walked just 16 kilometres before collapsing because their carcasses were found near the waterholes.
Cyanobacteria thrive in certain conditions, such as rising water temperatures and increased nutrients. Scientists believe these environmental triggers caused the algae to release toxins that killed the elephants. However, researchers could not test the exact water toxicity at the time due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Experts warn this could happen again, especially in areas where animals rely on stagnant water.
They warn that smaller animals might also be affected, but their deaths are harder to detect. The algae can harm aquatic life too, as seen in other water systems around the world.
The Botswana government has since officially attributed the mass elephant deaths to cyanobacterial toxins.
Meanwhile, scientists are calling for better monitoring of water sources in the area to prevent any more future incidents.
