Deadly Anthrax Outbreak Claims Lives of 50 Hippos in DR Congo National Park

At least 50 hippos have succumbed to anthrax poisoning in the Virunga National Park, located in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), raising alarms about wildlife health and safety. The park's director, Emmanuel de Merode, reported that the first cases were observed last week, with images showing the lifeless bodies of hippos floating along the Ishasha River. Investigations have confirmed the presence of anthrax, although the exact mechanism of infection remains unclear. Park officials are struggling to manage the situation due to logistical challenges, including a lack of excavators to facilitate the burial of deceased animals. De Merode stated efforts to mitigate the spread of anthrax include using caustic soda for burial purposes. The river, which flows toward Lake Edward, has seen additional reports of dead wildlife, prompting health warnings from the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature. The institute advised locals against approaching wildlife and recommended boiling water from nearby sources. Spanning 7,800 square kilometers, Virunga Park is not only one of Africa’s oldest but also one of its most diverse national parks, though it faces threats from ongoing conflict and poaching. The decline of hippo populations in the park, which fell from over 20,000 to a mere few hundred, has been attributed to these factors, alongside current disease threats.

The park's continued struggle against poaching and unrest poses a critical challenge for wildlife conservation in the area, heightening the urgency of measures needed to protect the region's unique biodiversity.