Zimbabwe, still dead elephants. Found 22 lifeless bodies in days

Still dead elephants in Africa. This time it happened in Zimbabwe, where the lifeless bodies of 22 animals were found

He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him

Still elephants mysteriously dead in Africa. This time it happened in Zimbabwe, where the lifeless bodies of 22 animals were found in recent days. The Zimbabwean authorities are working to ascertain the causes of their deaths.

It happened in the Pandamasue Forest, located between Hwange National Park and Victoria Falls, northwest of the capital Harare. The first group of 11 elephants was found dead on Friday. The animals had intact fangs. Therefore, the usually most common track, that of poaching, is excluded. This was also confirmed by park and wildlife officials.

From Sunday to Tuesday another 11 elephants were found dead in the same area and again without explanation. According to the authorities, it could have been anything, including poisonous plants, that killed them.

“We took samples for testing in a specialized laboratory in Victoria Falls and are still awaiting the results. From the tests carried out so far, we can confidently rule out poaching, cyanide poisoning and anthrax, ”Anadolu Tinashe Farawo, spokesperson for the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, told the Agency.

After an aerial survey @Zimparks can confirm that 22 jumbos were found dead in Pandamasue Forests. More samples are collected for lab tests. We are burning & burying the carcasses. @StarFMNews @DailyNewsZim @HeraldZimbabwe

- Tinashe Farawo (@FarawoTinashe) September 2, 2020

Farawo added that most of the victims are young and vulnerable elephants:

“Anything could have killed them, including poisonous bushes. As food becomes scarce, these elephants end up eating anything ”.

Unfortunately, the death of these animals, regardless of their possible responsibility, could benefit poachers who could take the tusks of the animals.

But there is one aspect that is not entirely convincing. The 22 dead elephants were all in close proximity to water bodies. Could a plant present in those parts be the cause of their sad end? Or could the waterways be contaminated to the point of killing elephants?

Investigations are still underway but it is not the first episode of this type in recent months in Africa. Over 350 elephants have been found dead in Botswana since May, mostly of unknown causes. It is now thought that the origin may be a poisonous toxin found in water.

The cause of the mysterious elephant massacre in Botswana has been discovered: it would be a natural toxin

In an effort to manage a possible outbreak of infection, park and wildlife officials have now decided to burn the carcasses along with their ivory.

Sources of reference: Anadolu Agency, FarawoTinashe / Twitter