Anthrax Outbreak Kills 109 Hippos in Namibia

Namibian authorities say an anthrax outbreak may have caused the deaths of 109 hippos in one of the country’s national parks, Bwabwata National Park.

“We first noticed the deaths of 10 hippos last week Sunday, but the number increased during the week,” Bwabwata National Park director told reporters. “As we speak, the number of deaths is 109. We suspect an anthrax outbreak, but our vete­rinary team is still to confirm that.”

Two of the hippos were discovered dead in the Kavango River outside the park. New Era toured the park on Saturday with the help of park warden Jonas Hausiku and one could see hippo carcasses scattered by the river in the park and over streams of stagnant water that link with the river.

“This is a situation that we have seen before. It happened in Zambia before and it mainly occurs when the level of the river is so low… Our scientist will advise properly, but we suspect it is anthrax.

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