At least 50 hippos along with other large animals have been found dead due to anthrax poisoning in Virunga National Park, a site known for its rich biodiversity, including the last remaining mountain gorillas. The park's director, Emmanuel De Merode, reported the disturbing discovery of the animals floating lifelessly along the Ishasha River, with initial sightings noted last week. Although the source of the outbreak remains unclear, tests have validated the presence of Bacillus anthracis, the bacteria responsible for anthrax.
Fifty Hippos Die from Anthrax in DR Congo's Virunga National Park
Fifty Hippos Die from Anthrax in DR Congo's Virunga National Park
Officials confirm anthrax poisoning as the cause of mass hippo deaths in eastern DR Congo's iconic national park.
Efforts to recover and bury the deceased animals are underway to mitigate potential spread, though logistical challenges hinder these operations significantly. "It's difficult due to lack of access and logistics," stated De Merode, emphasizing the urgency yet complexity of the situation. He mentioned the use of caustic soda for burial as a means to curtail any further risk to local wildlife.
The Ishasha River flows towards Lake Edward, leading to concerns as more animal deaths have been reported downstream. The Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature has issued a cautionary advisory to residents, urging them to avoid contact with wildlife and to boil any water sourced locally before consumption.
Covering an expansive area of 7,800 square kilometers, Virunga National Park is not only a diversity hotspot but also a site plagued by conflict, as various rebel groups vie for control of the resource-rich region. The park has witnessed violence over the years, resulting in the loss of many ranger lives dedicated to wildlife protection.
Recent initiatives to bolster the hippo population, which had dramatically plummeted from over 20,000 to a mere few hundred due to poaching and warfare, stand jeopardized in light of this unforeseen anthrax outbreak. The park thus remains a focal point in both conservation efforts and ongoing civil unrest.
The Ishasha River flows towards Lake Edward, leading to concerns as more animal deaths have been reported downstream. The Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature has issued a cautionary advisory to residents, urging them to avoid contact with wildlife and to boil any water sourced locally before consumption.
Covering an expansive area of 7,800 square kilometers, Virunga National Park is not only a diversity hotspot but also a site plagued by conflict, as various rebel groups vie for control of the resource-rich region. The park has witnessed violence over the years, resulting in the loss of many ranger lives dedicated to wildlife protection.
Recent initiatives to bolster the hippo population, which had dramatically plummeted from over 20,000 to a mere few hundred due to poaching and warfare, stand jeopardized in light of this unforeseen anthrax outbreak. The park thus remains a focal point in both conservation efforts and ongoing civil unrest.
