A severe drought in Zimbabwe has led to the deaths of at least 19 hippos over the past three months, the country’s wildlife authority reported on Thursday.
According to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), the hippos likely died from severe malnutrition caused by a lack of food, as no traces of abnormalities or anthrax poisoning were found in samples taken from the animals.
Investigations revealed that the hippos had traveled about 10 kilometers (six miles) from their usual habitat in search of food, highlighting the scarcity caused by the ongoing drought.
“The findings strongly suggest that most of the mortality cases are directly linked to severe nutritional deficits rather than infectious diseases,” ZimParks stated.
Zimbabwe is one of several Southern African countries grappling with extreme drought conditions in recent months. Rainfall has only begun in recent days, providing limited relief.
In the mid-Zambezi region, where the deaths occurred, approximately half of the hippo population was found to be in poor condition, with visible pelvic bones and spines—clear indicators of malnutrition.
The prolonged drought has not only affected wildlife but also raised concerns about broader environmental and ecological impacts across the region.