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Water contamination blamed for wildlife deaths at Lake Chivero in Zimbabwe

0 Comment(s)Print E-mail Xinhua, December 18, 2024
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HARARE, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Community Water Alliance (CWA), a Zimbabwean advocacy group focusing on water and the environment, on Tuesday raised concerns about the contamination of water sources that resulted in the deaths of wildlife at Lake Chivero Recreational Park, located about 35 km from Harare, Zimbabwe's capital.

According to a statement released last Friday by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), four rhinoceros, three zebras, four wildebeests and four fish eagles died due to contamination from cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) in the water sources at the recreational park.

Lake Chivero Recreational Park, a protected area around Lake Chivero, is home to a wide variety of species and serves as a crucial water source and recreational site.

Goodlife Mudzingwa, the national coordinator for CWA, said water pollution has become rampant, manifesting through microbiological, physical and chemical contamination. The pollution of water bodies was due to sewer treatment plants, industrial effluent, and mining activities, which pose significant dangers to both residents and wildlife.

"We need a national and comprehensive environmental impact assessment study on the effects of sewer treatment plants and mining on pollution. A water security footprint scan is required," Mudzingwa told journalists at a press conference in Harare.

ZimParks said that despite interventions by veterinarians from the University of Zimbabwe and the Veterinary and Capture Unit, the contamination has also affected other wildlife and domesticated animals 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 creating artificial water points with clean water. Regrettably, these efforts proved insufficient, as the animals continued to drink from the lake," said ZimParks.

Lake Chivero is one of Zimbabwe's seven Ramsar-listed sites, which are wetlands of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

Wildlife protection is essential to Zimbabwe's tourism industry, and the country is home to the fourth-largest population of rhinoceros in Africa. Enditem

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