By Mary Taruvinga
FOUR white rhinos have died after drinking cyanobacteria contaminated water at Lake Chivero Recreational Park.
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) spokesperson, Tinashe Farawo said the poisoned water also killed three zebras, four wildebeests, four fish eagles as well as goats and cattle from nearby farms.
The water, he said, is mainly contaminated with raw sewage, which City of Harare is depositing into the water body that also serves as the primary source of water for the capital city.
“Four rhinos have died due to contamination from cyanobacteria in the water sources at Lake Chivero Recreational Park.
“Despite the interventions by veterinarians from the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) and our Veterinary and Capture Unit, the contamination has also impacted other wildlife in the area resulting in the loss of three zebras, four wildebeests, four fish eagles, as well as goats and cattle from nearby farms.
“To mitigate the risk, we implemented measures to deter the animals from drinking from the affected dam by placing salt blocks and game nuts around the park, as well as artificial water points with clean water,” Farawo said.
He said regrettably, the efforts are proving inadequate as the animals continue to drink from the contaminated lake.
“In an effort to address the challenges, we have made temporary corrective measures. The pollution challenges facing this lake requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, therefore, we urge the public and relevant authorities to understand the effects of pollution and to join us in advocating for better environmental practices to protect our biodiversity,” Farawo said.
Zimbabwe has the fourth largest population of rhinos in Africa. The species is protected and according to Farawo efforts to relocate the unaffected rhinos are underway.
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