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DYING IN NUMBERS: Jumbos have been hard hit by illness in recent years
A second wave of mysterious elephant deaths has hit the Okavango Delta, with government confirming that at least 39 jumbos in the area have succumbed to an unknown illness since the start of the year.
Following a two-month delay to respond to media enquiries, the Ministry Environment, Natural Resources, Conservation and Tourism finally issued a statement this week.
“Preliminary results have ruled out anthrax and bacterial infections as the cause of death and further laboratory analysis is ongoing,” the statement explains in part.
In January, suspicions of a possible surge in elephant fatalities were reported, with Regional Wildlife Office confirming 11 deaths at the time in Mombo area in the Moremi Game Reserve.