By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
At least 19 hippos have died under unexplained circumstances over the past three months in the Mid-Zambezi region, raising alarms among wildlife authorities.
The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has launched a thorough investigation to determine the cause of these fatalities.
ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo confirmed the incidents, revealing that the deaths occurred in two locations, the Sapi Safari Area, where 18 hippos were discovered dead, and Chirundu, where one hippo was found.
“Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority is saddened to report the deaths of 18 hippos in the Sapi Safari Area and one in Chirundu over the last three months. The Authority is carrying out investigations with various partners to ascertain the cause of deaths,” Farawo stated in an official release.
Initial examinations of the deceased hippos indicate alarming signs of poor health. According to Farawo, over 50% of the examined hippos showed visible signs of malnutrition, with their pelvic bones and spines protruding.
“These hippos have been forced to venture up to 10 kilometers from their usual habitats in search of food,” he explained, attributing this distressing behaviour to the lack of adequate food sources in their natural environment.
While recent rainfall in the region has provided some respite, offering hope for the availability of fresh foliage, ZimParks officials believe that nutritional deficiencies, rather than disease outbreaks, are the primary cause of these deaths.
“Despite the rainfall, the current condition of the hippos points more towards severe malnutrition,” Farawo emphasized.
The authority plans to implement measures aimed at improving the availability of food and restoring the hippos’ natural habitat to prevent further loss of life.
As investigations continue, ZimParks is urging the public to remain vigilant and report any sightings of distressed wildlife to help them in their efforts to protect these iconic creatures.