The dead elephant in Botswana: As you would be fallen down suddenly dead

The air photos from Botswana are disturbing. They show dozens of elephant carcasses. According to information from the species conservation organization Elephants Without Borders (EWB), which regularly takes flights of Control, and the recordings made are in the country in southern Africa, since may at least 356 elephants mysteriously died: 169 were at 25. May further 187 discovered, on 14. June. Most of the animals died on the river Okavango, the Delta is considered to be one of the biggest tourist attractions of Africa and its surroundings, about every tenth of a Botswana elephant has its home.

Thilo Thielke

Free Rapporteur for Africa, based in Cape town.

In a confidential report, the EWB-in-chief Michael Case for the government in Gaborone created were wrong around, it means some animals had been observed, how it "feeds on weak, lethargic and out". "Some of the elephants seemed disoriented, had trouble to go to, showed signs of a partial paralysis." An elephant was, for example, unable to change its direction, "although he had been encouraged by other members of the herd to this". Quick clarification was needed, calls for EWB. The conservationists, the reaction of the government of President Mokgweetsi Masisi is much too slow.

Meanwhile, have confirmed the authorities of the death of 275 elephant. For analysis, samples were taken to laboratories in Zimbabwe, South Africa and Canada sent, informed the Ministry for the protection of species and tourism. The carcasses, which were in the vicinity of populated areas, would be now disposed of.

poachers are not suspected

The death of the animals authorities, such as the types of guards in front of a mystery. Apparently, the giants of the savanna were not respected, neither by professional poachers slaughtered, the target is usually on the ivory, still hungry Locals did to the animals amicably.

again and again the country people in the former betschuana against the elephants, because of this intrusion in settlements and fields to destroy. In Botswana at least 130,000 elephants, more than a third of Loxodonta africana life. In particular, small-scale farmers hunt the huge animals that devour each day, about 200 kg of foliage and 70 to 150 litres of water to drink.

In the world economic crisis, in which many countries were overthrown by the lock downs, threaten in large Parts of Africa also famines. Many people will be forced to feed on wild game meat from national parks. But the giants of the savanna exhibit no external injuries, and even the Tusks were not removed. The ivory will only be brought in the next days of Rangers in safety.