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The mysterious deaths of dozens of Zimbabwe’s elephants has been solved

Genetic tests identified a little-known bacterium that can cause deadly internal bleeding

A photo of a gray African elephant seen in profile as it walks.

African elephants are iconic in Zimbabwe. At least 35 died there in 2020 as a result of an infection with a little-known pathogenic bacterium, new research shows.

MARTIN BUREAU/AFP via Getty Images

By Tawanda Karombo

Three years ago, dozens of African elephants mysteriously died in Zimbabwe. Now scientists have confirmed their killer: a rare and little-known bacterium that can cause organ inflammation leading to deadly hemorrhaging.