Elephants Archives

New study finds bacteria linked to deaths of African elephants

VICTORIA FALLS, Zimbabwe – A recent study suggests that a bacterium linked to deadly septicemia may have been the cause of the deaths of six African elephants in Zimbabwe, and possibly more in neighboring countries. The findings have shed light on the threat of infectious diseases to African elephants, whose populations are already under pressure. The study, conducted by scientists from the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust, the Animal and Plant Health Agency UK, the University …

Bacteria Linked to Sudden Deaths of African Elephants Raises Concerns for Endangered Species’ Survival

Zimbabwean scientists have discovered a potential link between a deadly bacterium and the unexplained deaths of six African elephants in Zimbabwe, as well as additional deaths in nearby countries. This finding adds infectious diseases to the list of challenges facing African elephants, a species at risk of endangerment. This discovery stresses the importance of further research into the causes of these deaths to ensure the survival of the species. A group of international organizations conducted …

New Bacterium in African Elephants Linked to Mysterious Deaths: Study

Hwange, Zimbabwe – A new type of bacterium has been discovered in the bodies of six African Savannah elephants that died in mysterious circumstances in Zimbabwe. According to a recent study published in the journal Nature Communications, scientists believe the bacterium was the cause of a septicaemia, or blood poisoning, that killed the animals in 2020. The discovery may provide more insights into the deaths of 356 elephants in neighboring Botswana that same year. The …

New Study Identifies Obscure Bacterium Linked to Mysterious Deaths of Hundreds of African Elephants

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, …

Climate Crisis Blamed for Mysterious Mass Deaths of African Elephants According to New Report

In Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, a recent report by scientists has shed light on the mysterious mass deaths of African elephants. The study suggested that these outbreaks may be linked to the impact of global warming and the climate crisis, rather than poaching or poisoning as previously thought. The sudden deaths of these elephants in Botswana and Zimbabwe in 2020 sparked public concern and speculation, prompting an investigation into the possible causes. Initial theories included environmental …

Rare Bacterium Identified as the Killer of Dozens of African Elephants in Zimbabwe

VICTORIA FALLS, Zimbabwe – Scientists have identified a rare bacterium as the cause of dozens of African elephant deaths in Zimbabwe three years ago. The bacterium, known as Pasteurellaceae Bisgaard taxon 45, was found in samples from six of 15 elephants analyzed, according to a report published in Nature Communications on October 25. This discovery solves part of the mystery surrounding the deaths of the African elephants, which are endangered according to the International Union …

Mysterious Bacterial Infection Identified as Cause of Deaths of 35 Elephants in Zimbabwe

In Zimbabwe, the deaths of 35 elephants between August and November of 2020 puzzled investigators who suspected poisoning or poaching but quickly ruled out these causes. Now, a recent study published in the journal Nature Communications has identified the culprit in the bacterium Pasteurellaceae Bisgaard taxon 45. Scientists analyzing 15 of the elephant carcasses were able to confirm the presence of Bisgaard taxon 45 in six of them, linking the bacterium to the unexplained deaths. …

Elephants in Zimbabwe Revealed to Have Mysterious Bacterial Infection

VICTORIA FALLS, Zimbabwe – In late August of 2020, wildlife veterinarian Chris Foggin was in the midst of conducting a post-mortem on an elephant that was suspected to have died from anthrax when he received a disturbing call. The call reported that there had been multiple elephant fatalities in the area. The next day, five more dead elephants were discovered in the scorching Zimbabwean heat. Foggin and his team worked tirelessly to collect post-mortem tissue …