JAKARTA - The mysterious deaths of 153 elephants in Botswana, southern Africa, on Monday, June 17 raised many questions. Investigations have proven that the elephants were not killed by poaching, let alone poisoned by wild animal 'killers'.
The number of mysterious elephant deaths in the past two months in this region is clearly of deep sorrow for Botswana. Moreover, many of the elephant carcasses still look intact.
Inquiry developed. However, according to Reuters, the authorities recently commented on the possible death of the elephants due to anthrax.
Anthrax has long been a threat to wildlife in Botswana. However, Regional Wildlife Coordinator Dimakatso Ntshebe said no conclusion should be drawn before the forensic results show the real cause of death.
"We are still waiting for the forensic results (which) show the cause of death," he said.
Even so, overall, poaching has seriously threatened elephant populations. However, this number was not large. In the 1990s alone, Botswana had recorded an increase in deaths, from 80,000 to 130,000. Apart from hunting, the condition of the nature reserve which is not well managed is also an obstacle.
Loss of population puts elephants at another problem: conflict with farmers. The existence of elephants in the vicinity of community activity centers has damaged agricultural lands.
Last year, Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi lifted a five-year ban on hunting wildlife. The ban was imposed by the previous president, Ian Khama.
The revocation was carried out because the authorities began to see elephants as 'pests'. The lifting of the ban has also made hunting elephants able to attract tourists. However, Masisi's plan did not go well. COVID-19 has closed access to tourists.
Apart from elephants, another species that is now under threat is the Okavango Delta rhino. At least 25 rhinos of this type were found dead by poachers from December to early May.
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