Last March of the ‘Wooden Elephants’: Africa’s Ancient Baobabs Are Dying

"Researchers fear the trees are parched by drought and rising temperatures linked to climate change."

"On January 7, 2016, a group of tourists set out to visit Chapman’s Baobab, one of the oldest and mightiest trees in Africa.

Visible from miles away, it had long served as a landmark for travelers and explorers, including David Livingstone. The cavity inside its trunks — with an outer circumference of more than 80 feet — reportedly served as one of the continent’s first post offices. Botswana considered the tree a national monument and promoted it as a sightseeing attraction.  

As the visitors neared that day, they heard a cracking boom like thunder. A cloud of dust obscured the site: Chapman’s Baobab had collapsed. "

Rachel Nuwer reports for the New York Times June 12, 2018.