[Dusty Road]

My theory would be one that I've actually witnessed many times here on the ranch and no time was it worse than last year. We lost just over 60 head of cattle probably over 100 deer that got stuck in the mud around 3 ponds that were drying up due to the severe drought last year. As they dry up the cows turn the outside of the ponds into muddy death traps from 3 to 3 1/2 ft deep as they keep going out to reach water. Coyotes and bobcats also get caught in these traps in their effort to reach the carcases stuck in the mud. One of the ponds has since dried up and bottom is littered with bones from those that died. The next heavy rains will fill the ponds back up but the mud and silt coming with it will cover the bones.

[Dusty Road]

One other thing that I’ve noticed is sick or dying animals nearly always go to water, another example I see here on the ranch.

[BwanaNdege]

Good theory!

This might be another explanation.

"Lake Nyos Disaster"