The elephants died of sepsis related to Pasteurella bacteria, the same bacteria which killed 200,000 antelopes in Kazakhstan.<p>The bacteria is normally commensurate in the pharynx/tonsils however a virulence factor or increased infectiousness was gained somehow (possibly ambient temperature related).
I find it so sad that 84% of the remaining African savannah elephants live in protected areas and yet their population is declining 8% per year, showing that our conversation efforts are not enough and less effective every year.<p>This is the most massive and iconic land animal on Earth with plenty of public support and funding, this should be one of the easiest ones to keep track of and protect.<p>What does this say about our ability to prevent mass extinction of other species?
Previous related thread: <a href="https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=23707920">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=23707920</a>