Elephant Carcasses in Kruger National Park Reshape Savanna Ecosystems for Over Eight Years
Research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that elephant carcasses in South Africa's Kruger National Park continue to influence local ecosystems for at least eight years. The study, inspired by the 2009 death of a lone elephant named Alexander, shows that decomposing bodies drastically alter soil chemistry and plant life, creating nutrient-rich zones that attract herbivores long after the animal has vanished.
