The public is also informed that the sample have been sent for testing to three laboratories in Zimbabwe, South Africa and Canada but the results are not yet out.
“The Covid-19 restrictions have not helped in the transportation of samples in the region and around the world. We’re now beginning to emerge from that and that is why we are now in a position to send the samples to other laboratories.” Dr Cyril Taolo, acting director for Botswana’s department of wildlife and national parks said.
But there was a lot of concern about this delay and the lack of urgency doesn’t reflect the actions of a responsible custodian.
Without the sample results, also, there is no information on what is causing the deaths or whether they could pose a risk to human health. However, the two main possibilities are poisoning or an unknown pathogen.
In any case, tusks of dead elephants have not been removed and carcasses show no sign of having been chopped to take out the ivory.