In Zimbabwe, a mysterious bacterial infection has been identified as the culprit behind the deaths of 35 elephants in 2020. Initially, authorities suspected poisoning or poaching, but these causes were quickly ruled out. Scientists recently published a study in the journal Nature Communications, revealing that the bacterium Pasteurellaceae Bisgaard taxon 45 was responsible for the deaths.
The bacterium, closely related to Pasteurella multocida, is known to cause blood poisoning in animals. The elephants showed signs of enlarged spleens and livers, extensive internal bleeding, and tissue death, consistent with fatal blood poisoning. Scientists suspect that the pathogen was also responsible for 14 other elephant deaths in 2019. It remains unclear whether the elephants were infected by an external source or if Bisgaard taxon 45 lives natively in their bodies and simply went into overdrive for reasons unknown.
This discovery sheds light on the potential threats faced by wildlife due to these types of bacterial infections. The parallels between this case and the sudden death of saiga antelope in 2015 demonstrate the devastating impact that these pathogens can have on wildlife populations.
While this newly identified culprit may have been brought to justice, the importance of ongoing research and monitoring of wildlife health cannot be understated. Understanding and mitigating the impact of such pathogens is crucial for the conservation and protection of vulnerable animal species. The study of these cases can provide valuable insights into the ways in which these bacterial infections can appear and spread in wildlife populations, guiding efforts to prevent similar tragedies in the future.