In Africa elephants are dying EN masse, but scientists do not know why
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Why in the world there is another unknown disease?
From the southern African country of Botswana has received alarming news in the next two months there were found more than 350 dead elephants. Most of the individuals were lying face down, which suggests that death overtook them suddenly. The researchers also noted that the bodies were mainly found close to the African Okavango Delta. The problem seems very serious, and scientists still can't figure out the cause of the mass death of the animals. Someone believes that animals become infected with an unknown disease, and someone blames the incident of poachers — before they actively used the poisons for the production of elephant bones. But which of the assumptions are more close to the truth and why the cause of death of animals so difficult to figure out?
The largest animal on land
According to research , previously Botswana was considered the best place for carefree living elephants. In this country there are about 135 000 individuals Savannah elephants (Loxodonta africana), while in other regions of our planet, they are almost there. These creatures are included in the "Guinness Book of world records" as the largest terrestrial mammals — individual record of size lived in the twentieth century, the weight of her body up to 12 tons. The average body length of these elephants is about 7.5 meters and the height is approximately 3.8 meters. Life expectancy of elephants is 80 years old and can be identified by their body size, length of tusks and teeth.
Featuring a female savanna elephant from the male is quite easy — males have long tusks
the Mysterious death of elephants
At the moment scientists have several explanations for the sudden death of a large number of elephants. In 2019, about 100 elephants Botany died because of outbreak of anthrax. The causative agents of this infectious disease are the bacteria Bacillus anthracis, and it is characterized by the inflammation on the skin and internal organs. There is a small probability that this time the death of animals is involved this disease. But the Botswana government denies this version — probably because of the anthrax elephants would not die on the go. Besides, messages about the presence of damaged skin have found elephants, yet.
anthrax under the microscope
The Second version says that the elephants could have died from the disease, which is yet unknown to science. According , some people saw wild elephants going round that they're not really natural behavior. If the problem really is some disease, then it definitely affects the nervous system of elephants and affects their brain. What is truly alarming is the fact that an unknown disease can be dangerous and for people.
In Africa, elephants are dying EN masse, and this is a terrible picture
The researchers Also suggest that the mass death of elephants at the hands of poachers. In recent times , so the government of Botswana removed the restrictions on hunting. There were cases when poachers used to kill elephants with cyanide, which causes severe poisoning with fatal outcome. But in this particular case, this theory is doubtful because the dead elephants tusks and poachers interested in other parts of the body intact. Besides, hyenas and other scavengers that eat dead animals, healthy — and in fact if the meat was poisoned, they would die.
a study on the causes of disease
Ecologist Peter cat (Pieter Kat) and other conservationists are concerned that the government of Botswana still has not sent samples of the dead elephants to identify the causes of death. She may be the completely new disease, a contagious, including to humans.
Since the discovery of the first dead bodies of elephants, it took several months, but cause of death still unknown — outraged Peter cat
The Government of Botswana, in turn, assure that the samples sent to the laboratory. However, in the study samples occurred a long delay, the reason is — pandemic coronavirus. The government hopes to receive the results of the study in the coming weeks.
It is hoped that the cause of mass death of elephants will soon be revealed. And while scientists conduct a study, I recommend reading the material the author Hi-News.ru Artem Goryachev about . Here you could assume that the record for the headache — it's turtles? And did you know that bees can get sick with autism? For me it was new, so I recommend reading!
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