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An anthrax outbreak has caused the deaths of 28 hippos in the Semuliki River within Virunga National Park, raising concerns for local communities and the ecosystem.
An anthrax outbreak has killed 28 hippos in Virunga National Park in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), according to park officials. The carcasses were discovered in the Semuliki River over a period of approximately four weeks.
Following laboratory tests, Virunga National Park confirmed that the deaths were caused by anthrax, a disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis.
Virunga National Park stated in a press release that "this disease can be transmitted to humans through contact with a dead or sick animal or by consuming its meat." Consequently, the park has advised local residents living in the affected area and its surroundings not to touch, skin, or consume animals found dead, and to report any carcasses or suspected cases to the relevant authorities.
Joel Mbusa Mapoli, an expert in ecology and veterinary medicine, stated that the deaths represent a significant loss for the park. Mapoli noted that hippos act as "ecosystem engineers," altering nutrient flows and ecological conditions. "The hippopotamus is one of the flagship species of the Virunga ecosystems. Its disappearance could lead to a major disruption of aquatic ecosystems," Mapoli told Al Jazeera.
According to the park's February 2026 census, the hippo population is estimated at more than 2,700 animals distributed across 171 groups. This outbreak follows a similar event in 2025, when an anthrax outbreak killed 65 hippos in the park.
Park officials noted that anthrax outbreaks have previously been observed during periods of drought. According to the park, when vegetation becomes scarce, herbivores may graze closer to the ground and congregate around limited water points, which increases "their exposure to contaminated soil." The bacterium can persist in the soil in the form of spores for decades.
Conservation efforts are also impacted by regional instability. Virunga National Park stated it has lost control of a significant part of its territory over the past four years due to ongoing conflict between the Congolese army and M23 fighters. Olivier Ndoole Bahemuke, head of Alerte Congolaise pour l’environnement et les droits de l’homme, said the armed conflict has fueled poaching and deforestation in the region. The M23 armed group states it is helping to protect the area from poachers and other human threats.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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