Anthrax kills 50 hippos in Congo’s Virunga National Park

STORY: :: Graphic warning

At least 50 hippos have been killed by anthrax poisoning in Congo’s Virunga National Park and have been spotted floating along a major river that feeds one of Africa’s great lakes.

That’s according to the park’s director who said tests had confirmed anthrax poisoning, and that buffalos had also been killed.

The deaths are a serious blow to the park, in Congo’s conflict ravaged east, which has been working to preserve the hippo population.

Poaching and war had dramatically reduced the species population from over 20,000 to a few hundred by 2006.

Anthrax is a serious disease usually caused by bacteria found naturally in soil.

Residents have been warned to avoid wildlife and to boil water from local sources before drinking.