A significant anthrax outbreak has led to the deaths of 30 hippos in Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The outbreak, which began in September, has raised concerns among park officials who confirmed the deaths following the examination of “suspicious carcasses.” This incident marks the second time in recent years that the park’s hippo population has been severely affected by anthrax.
Virunga National Park, established in 1925 and recognized as Africa’s oldest national park, spans approximately 3,000 square miles in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including gorillas, elephants, and an estimated 2,700 hippos, which inhabit over 170 groups.
Officials first detected the anthrax outbreak after observing a spike in hippo fatalities. Following this alarming trend, they sent the remains of affected animals to a laboratory for further testing, confirming the presence of the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, the agent responsible for anthrax infections.
Initial reports indicate that heavy rainfall may have contributed to the outbreak by exposing anthrax spores in the park. Fortunately, there have been no new cases of infections in the past two weeks, prompting some cautious optimism among park conservation leaders. “We are cautiously optimistic that there won’t be any further cases,” said the head of the park’s conservation program.
This outbreak follows a previous incident in which 65 hippos were lost due to anthrax in 2025. The ongoing situation highlights the vulnerability of wildlife to diseases that can be exacerbated by environmental factors, such as climate changes that can allow spores to resurface.
Virunga National Park continues to monitor the health of its hippo population closely, with efforts underway to contain and manage the situation effectively. As the situation develops, park officials remain vigilant to prevent further loss of wildlife.
