Ecological disaster in Virunga National Park: 50 animals killed by anthrax outbreak
Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is facing a dramatic crisis. At least 50 hippos, along with other large mammals, have died as a result of anthrax poisoning. The animals were found dead, drifting along the Ishasha River, which feeds into one of Africa’s largest lakes – Lake Edward. Park authorities have confirmed anthrax poisoning as the cause of death, though the source of the contamination remains unknown.
In brief
At least 50 hippos and other large mammals died in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as a result of anthrax poisoning. The dead animals were found drifting along the Ishasha River, which feeds Lake Edward, and park services confirmed the cause, although the source of contamination remains unknown. Infection through contaminated water or feed is suspected. In the 1970s Virunga National Park was home to more than 20 thousand hippos, by 2006 the number had fallen to a few hundred, and around 1,200 individuals live there today.
Anthrax a threat to wildlife and humans
Anthrax is a dangerous bacterial disease whose spores occur naturally in soil. Infection typically occurs through contact with contaminated water or vegetation. In the case of Virunga, it is suspected that hippos and buffalo may have been exposed by ingesting tainted water or forage. Footage from the park shows animals lying on their sides or backs, some entangled in riverside vegetation.
Losses both ecological and symbolic
This is a devastating blow to Virunga, which has spent decades working to restore its hippo population after years of poaching and armed conflict. In the 1970s, the park was home to over 20,000 hippos, but by 2006 their numbers had plummeted to just a few hundred. Today, approximately 1,200 hippos inhabit the park—making every loss all the more painful.
Source: G1 / Gazeta Morska · Compiled by: Daniel Nawrocki
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