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Blue-green algae cause massive elephant death Botswana | Abroad

The authorities and several nature organizations have been investigating the cause of the death of the animals for months. Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacterium, is not officially an algae and owes its name to the blue color it can give water. The bacteria can multiply quickly in warm and nutrient-rich water. Water with blue-green algae can be very toxic, people are not advised to swim in it.

The highest veterinarian of the Ministry of Nature Conservation said at a press conference that despite the found cause of death, many questions remain unanswered. “We still wonder how it is possible that only elephants have died because of the toxins and why it only happens in this area. We are now investigating a number of hypotheses. ”

In July 281 dead elephants were counted. The number has increased by fifty in two months. Botswana has a good reputation for wildlife and animal conservation so far, but last year sparked outrage over the lifting of the elephant hunting ban.

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