Four rhinos have died at Lake Chivero Recreational Park following contamination from toxic cyanobacteria, a bacterium linked to polluted water, according to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks). The deaths were confirmed by veterinarians from the University of Zimbabwe and ZimParks’ Veterinary and Capture Unit, who attributed the fatalities to the lake’s deteriorating water quality.
ZimParks spokesperson, Tinashe Farawo, stressed that the tragedy underscores the urgent need for a collective societal effort to tackle the pollution crisis threatening the region’s ecosystem. “This situation calls for a whole-society approach to address pollution in Lake Chivero so that we can protect our ecosystem,” Farawo said.
The cyanobacteria contamination has claimed the lives of other wildlife as well, including three zebras, four wildebeests, fish eagles, and livestock such as goats and cattle from nearby farms. The tragic loss of these animals highlights the far-reaching effects of pollution on both wildlife and the communities that depend on the lake for water and sustenance.
Lake Chivero, one of Zimbabwe’s seven Ramsar-protected wetlands, has been grappling with pollution for years. Marjorie Munyonga, a spokesperson for the Zimbabwe National Water Authority, flagged the lake in 2019 as one of the country’s most polluted water bodies. She identified Harare’s malfunctioning sewage treatment plants as a primary contributor, with urbanization, power shortages, and poor maintenance exacerbating the issue.
Harare, which relies heavily on Lake Chivero for its drinking water, spends a staggering $2.5 million monthly on water treatment chemicals—significantly more than the $1 million it would cost if the city’s sewage plants were functioning properly.
A 2019 study published in Food Quality and Safety revealed dangerously high levels of microbial and toxic pollutants in the lake’s water and fish, posing serious risks to wildlife and local populations reliant on the water body.
As Zimbabwe prepares to host the Ramsar Convention’s 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) in July 2025, Farawo urged authorities and citizens to intensify efforts toward environmental conservation and the restoration of the lake’s ecological health.
The deaths of the rhinos, along with the loss of other wildlife, serve as a grim reminder of the urgent need to tackle the pollution crisis at Lake Chivero to protect the region’s biodiversity and safeguard its long-term environmental and economic stability.