Over 200 Goats Die in Afar Region After Eating Poisonous Plant

More than 200 goats have died and nearly 500 others were affected in Berahle Woreda, located in the Kilbeti Rasu Zone of the Afar Region, after consuming a poisonous green shrub known locally as 'Ru'urai.' According to Muhammed Ali, head of the region's Communication Bureau, and Dr. Abdulqadir Muhammed from the Livestock and Fishery Development Bureau, the deaths were caused by plant toxicity rather than a disease outbreak or rockslides as initially rumored. Officials stated that similar incidents had not occurred previously in the region despite regular livestock vaccinations. The shrub is known to resist drought and high temperatures, and experts plan to conduct further research on it. Pastoralists in the region are strongly advised to guard their herds against grazing on this toxic plant and actively destroy it to prevent further loss of livestock.