The Tree of Ténéré is the loneliest acacia in the world, which survived for more than 300 years in the middle of the Sahara Desert, in Niger. This mystical guardian was isolated 250 miles from any other plant. A miracle of nature whose roots went down more than 100 feet deep to search for water hidden beneath the barren sand.
Until in 1973 the impossible happened. A Libyan truck driver, allegedly drunk, drove through the immensity of emptiness and crashed head-on into the tree.
It was the only obstacle for miles. The most isolated tree died after being run over. The desert protected it from drought for centuries, but could not save it from human clumsiness.
