ニューヨーク・タイムズのインスタグラム(nytimes) - 7月7日 10時23分

In May, conservationists from @elephantswithoutborders were flying over the Okavango Panhandle in Botswana when they counted something disturbing: 169 dead elephants. A second flight in June revealed more carcasses, bringing the total to 356. Some of the animals appeared to have died suddenly, collapsing chest-first while walking or running. No tusks were removed, suggesting that poaching for ivory might not have been to blame.

But experts are left with few clues as to whether the cause is something sinister, such as poisonings, or a naturally occurring disease from which the area’s elephants will bounce back.

While conservationists at @savetheelephants said the recent die-off might be natural, others expressed concern.

“In Botswana, there is a huge crisis for elephants unfolding,” said Mark Hiley, the director of rescue operations at @national_park_rescue. “The most important thing now is for an independent team to visit the area — sample multiple carcasses, the soil and waterways — and identify what is causing the deaths.”
Botswana is home to about 130,000 savanna elephants, or about one-third of the world’s remaining population. Although there are some signs that elephant and rhino poaching may be picking up there, many conservationists still consider the country a critical safe haven for elephants.

Tap the link in our bio to read more about what is known about the die-off and how Botswana’s government is responding. Photo via Reuters.

[BIHAKUEN]UVシールド(UVShield)

>> 飲む日焼け止め！「UVシールド」を購入する