A Cyanobacteria outbreak in Lake Chivora, Zimbabwe, is affecting its consumers and has already killed 4 Rhinos, 4 Zebra, Wildbeasts, livestock, and most of the fish. Over the weekend, more than 1,000 fish were found dead in Lake Chivero, according to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks).
According to Veterinarians’ spokesperson at Zimparks, Tinashe Farawo, “This situation calls for a whole-society approach to address pollution in Lake Chivero so that we can protect our ecosystem. The deaths of the rhinos and other wildlife underline the urgency of restoring Lake Chivero’s ecological health.”
Therefore, the polluted Lake Chivero is a looming h
ealth disaster. True to that, the lake has had previous pollution cases, which are also affecting the ecosystem. For example, In 2019, the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) flagged Lake Chivero as among the nation’s most polluted water catchment areas.
The recent Cyanobacteria outbreak is an urgent call to action, as humans could also face impending danger. Environmentalists call on the government, citizens, and necessary parties to prioritize sustainable practices to avoid further environmental degradation. This will go a long way in preserving Zimbabwe’s wildlife heritage and protecting the surrounding livelihoods.
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