An outbreak of anthrax is killing hippos in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The disease has appeared in the Semuliki River region.
A deadly disease currently impacts wildlife in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Anthrax is killing hippos inside the famous Virunga National Park.
Also, park rangers found many dead hippos near the Semuliki River. These animals died over the past four weeks.
Then, officials expressed deep concern about the situation. The river flows through the western side of this historic park.
Meanwhile, local people living near the river feel worried. They use the water daily for their personal needs.
As a result, experts monitor the area to track the spread of the bacteria. Anthrax poses a risk to both animals and humans.
However, the country already faces a major health crisis. The nation struggles with a very severe Ebola outbreak.
After that, the park authorities focused their efforts on animal safety. They hope to contain the germs within the river banks.
Still, the loss of these hippos hurts the local ecosystem. Virunga remains Africa's oldest national park for wildlife protection.
Now, wildlife managers work to identify the full scope of the deaths. They want to prevent further loss of the hippo population.
Finally, residents must stay cautious near the water. Health officials continue to gather information about this dangerous animal disease.