More than 100 dead hippos are suspected of being anthrax in Namibia

The corpses of hippos stretched like balls floating scattered along the river in Namibia park, shocking many people.

Correct hippopotamus due to anthrax.(Photo: Namibian Broadcasting Corporation).

Security guards in Bwabwata National Park reported 109 dead hippos from October 7, according to Long Room. Dozens of bloated hippos floated in the muddy river water.

The cause of mass death of hippopotamus has not been clarified, but staff believe that this is the result of anthrax outbreaks caused by bacterial spores dispersed every year.

Apollinaris Kannyinga, deputy director of the northeast park area, said disease outbreaks are quite common, often occurring when the river Kavango, where a large number of hippo bodies are found, is low.

Veterinarians still need to confirm the cause. They emphasize that the death rate may be higher because hawks and crocodiles are eating the hippopotamus. Authorities estimated the number of hippos in Namibia was 1,300 before the mass deaths.