The director of Virunga National Park has reported that anthrax poisoning has led to the deaths of numerous hippos and other large animals. Park officials are working on recovery and burial efforts amid logistical challenges.
Devastating Anthrax Outbreak Claims Lives of 50 Hippos in DR Congo
Devastating Anthrax Outbreak Claims Lives of 50 Hippos in DR Congo
A serious anthrax infection has struck Africa's oldest national park, resulting in the death of at least 50 hippos.
At least 50 hippos have died from anthrax poisoning in the Virunga National Park, which is located in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the country's oldest national park. Emmanuel de Merode, the park's director, revealed that officials first observed the lifeless animals floating in the Ishasha River last week. Although the precise cause of the anthrax outbreak remains uncertain, testing has confirmed its presence.
Efforts to recover and bury the deceased animals are being hindered by a lack of heavy equipment and logistical barriers. "It's difficult due to lack of access and logistics," de Merode commented to Reuters, adding, "We have the means to limit the spread by... burying them with caustic soda." The Ishasha River flows into Lake Edward, where local reports indicate more dead animals have been discovered.
Anthrax is caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis and can be lethal, but it does not typically spread easily. The disease primarily survives as spores in the soil for extended periods, entering animals through inhalation or wounds.
The Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature has advised local residents to stay away from wildlife and to ensure that any water sourced locally is boiled before consumption. Virunga National Park spans 7,800 square kilometers (3,000 square miles), making it one of the most biologically diverse national parks in Africa, though it has also gained notoriety for its dangers.
Tourism is prevalent in the park, but ongoing conflict with various rebel groups fighting the Congolese army has compounded the challenges facing the area. These groups relentlessly vie for control of the park's valuable resources, resulting in the deaths of numerous rangers dedicated to protecting the wildlife.
Historically, the hippo population in Virunga has dramatically decreased from over 20,000 to just a few hundred due to poaching and warfare, prompting conservation efforts to revitalize their numbers.
