ARUSHA — Strange disease has killed a total of 8 elephants in northern Tanzania’s district of Ngorongoro, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
Joseph Meng’ oro, Deputy Wildlife Officer at the Ngorongoro District Council expressed his worry over the disease, saying, more deaths could be occurring without notice.
“The jumbos started to haemorrhage through their trunks then collapse and eventually die in Arash Ward, in the district,” said Meng’ oro.
Fidelis ole Kashe, an officer with the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), said the jumbo was spotted by villagers meandering in the area before it collapsed and died.
The carcasses for the 8 elephants that have so far perished, feature bleeding trunks (nose bleeding), strange colored stools, sudden drunk-like dizziness while moving, before the jumbos collapsed.
Scientists at the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI), based in Arusha have taken up the case, saying the unidentified disease as well as its resulting death of large mammals, is the first to be experienced in Tanzania.
Samples of blood from the carcasses found in Loliondo were taken to the Tanzania Veterinary Laboratory Agency (TVLA). Xinhua/RSS
