A deadly anthrax outbreak has killed at least 50 hippopotamuses and several buffaloes in Virunga National Park, located in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Park authorities confirmed the presence of anthrax poisoning, though the origin of the outbreak remains unknown.

The alarming discovery was made when carcasses of hippos were found floating in the Ishasha River, which passes through militia-held regions and eventually flows into Lake Edward. Additional dead animals have also been sighted along the lake’s shores. The situation poses a serious ecological concern and a blow to conservation efforts in the area.

According to Emmanuel De Merode, the director of Virunga National Park, this development is particularly distressing as it undermines years of conservation work. The hippo population had once numbered over 20,000 in the early 2000s but dropped dramatically to a few hundred by 2006 due to poaching and conflict. In recent years, this number had climbed back to around 1,200, giving conservationists renewed hope.

Anthrax is a bacterial disease caused by spores naturally present in soil. Wild animals are at risk of infection when they inhale or ingest these spores, often through contaminated water or vegetation. In this case, the spores are believed to have contaminated water sources that serve both wildlife and nearby communities.

The Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation has issued urgent public warnings, advising local communities to avoid contact with dead animals and to ensure any water used for drinking or domestic purposes is thoroughly boiled. Authorities fear the infection could spread if not contained quickly.

Containment efforts are underway, with teams working to remove and bury carcasses to prevent further transmission. However, the response has been hampered by the park's remote location, lack of access, and limited equipment. Park workers have had to rely on caustic soda to disinfect burial sites, as the absence of excavators complicates large-scale disposal.

Virunga National Park, Africa’s oldest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage site, is widely recognized for its biodiversity, including endangered mountain gorillas, elephants, and a vast array of bird species. However, the region remains vulnerable due to persistent conflict and poor infrastructure, which hinder both wildlife protection and public health measures.

The current anthrax outbreak highlights the precarious balance between conservation and crisis management in one of the world’s most ecologically and politically fragile regions. Park officials continue to monitor the situation closely and are working with health and wildlife experts to prevent the spread of the disease to other species and human populations.