At least 50 hippos and other large animals have died from anthrax poisoning in Virunga National Park, a protected area in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The park’s director, Emmanuel De Merode, confirmed the deaths, which include buffalo, and showed images of the motionless hippopotamuses floating along the Ishasha River.
The cause of the poisoning is still unclear, but anthrax is believed to be the culprit. Wild animals can become infected if they inhale spores from contaminated soil, plants, or water. The park’s efforts to contain the outbreak are hindered by lack of access and logistics, making it difficult to bury the dead animals.
The deaths represent a major loss for Virunga, which has worked to increase hippo numbers after years of poaching and war reduced their population from over 20,000 in 2006. The park now holds around 1,200 hippos. Residents are being warned to avoid wildlife in the area and to boil water from local sources before drinking.
A team is trying to respond to the crisis, with plans to limit the spread of the disease by burying the animals with caustic soda. However, more bodies have been spotted in nearby Lake Edward, sparking concerns about the impact on the ecosystem.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/09/science/anthrax-kills-hippos-drc-virunga-intl-scli/index.html