Important Facts For Prelims
Elephant Deaths in Botswana
- 03 Jul 2020
- 2 min read
Why in News
In the past two months, hundreds of elephants have died mysteriously in Botswana’s Okavango Delta.
Key Points
- The cause of the deaths is yet to be established. However, poaching has been ruled out since the dead elephants were found with tusks.
- Several live elephants appeared to have been weak, lethargic and skeletal, with some showing signs of disorientation, difficulty in walking or limping.
- Okavango Delta: It is one of the very few major interior delta systems that do not flow into a sea or ocean.
- This delta comprises permanent marshlands and seasonally flooded plains.
- The delta covers part of Kalahari Desert and owes its existence to the Okavango (Kavango) River.
- It is home to some of the world’s most endangered species of large mammal, such as the cheetah, white rhinoceros, black rhinoceros, African wild dog and lion.
- Botswana: It is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. Its 70% territory is covered by Kalahari Desert.
- Botswana has the world’s largest elephant population, estimated to be around 130,000.
- It is Africa's oldest continuous democracy.
