Anthrax Outbreak in Africa's Oldest Park Decimates 50+ Hippos, Threatens Conservation
14:13 09.04.2025 (Updated: 16:09 09.04.2025)
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Anthrax Outbreak in Africa's Oldest Park Decimates 50+ Hippos, Threatens Conservation
DRC's Virunga Park director Emmanuel De Merode confirmed the anthrax outbreak to a Western news agency, though the exact cause remains unclear.
The deaths are a significant blow to conservation efforts in the park, which has worked to rebuild the hippo population from just a few hundred in 2006 to around 1,200 today.
Authorities warn locals to avoid wildlife and boil water before use. Efforts to remove and bury the carcasses are underway, but logistical challenges persist due to limited access and equipment, the report added.
More than 25 hippo bodies have been reportedly potted in Lake Edward, raising concerns about further contamination.
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DRC's Virunga Park director Emmanuel De Merode confirmed the anthrax outbreak to a Western news agency, though the exact cause remains unclear.
The deaths are a significant blow to conservation efforts in the park, which has worked to rebuild the hippo population from just a few hundred in 2006 to around 1,200 today.
Authorities warn locals to avoid wildlife and boil water before use. Efforts to remove and bury the carcasses are underway, but logistical challenges persist due to limited access and equipment, the report added.
More than 25 hippo bodies have been reportedly potted in Lake Edward, raising concerns about further contamination.
Subscribe to @sputnik_africa
Sputnik Africa | X
