In May and June of 2020, 350 elephants mysteriously died in Botswana, and a further 35 died in a patch of Northwestern Zimbabwe in August and September of the same year. The cause of these mass die-offs has been a mystery, as the carcasses were found intact with no evidence of poaching or poisoning. However, recent research may shed light on the culprit behind these tragic events.
According to a new study by UK scientists, an obscure bacterium known as Bisgaard taxon 45, never before seen in wild elephants, has been identified as the cause of fatal septicemia in six of the affected elephants. This discovery marks a significant step forward in understanding the mysterious deaths of these African elephants.
While the sample size for the study was limited due to the challenges of working in rural Zimbabwe, researchers believe that this bacterium may be linked to the deaths of the hundreds of other elephants. Bisgaard taxon 45 is a member of the Pasteurellaceae bacterial family, and its source of infection and route of transmission remain unknown.
The study also suggests that transmission of the bacteria is possible due to the highly sociable nature of elephants and the link between this infection and the stress associated with extreme weather events such as drought. With African elephants already facing the threat of extinction, this little-known pathogen may represent yet another pressure on their existence.
As the African forest elephant and African savanna elephant are now listed as Critically Endangered and Endangered, respectively, on the IUCN Red List, further research is needed to learn more about the bacteria and its long-term implications for the African elephant population and other wildlife.
This study, published in the journal Nature Communications, provides valuable insight into the potential cause of the mysterious deaths of hundreds of African elephants in 2020, and it underscores the need for continued research and conservation efforts to protect these majestic animals.