The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has confirmed that recent wildlife and fish fatalities at Lake Chivero are due to cyanobacteria contamination, not cyanide poisoning as speculated on social media.
In a statement released today, ZimParks emphasized that investigations by the University of Zimbabwe and their Veterinary and Capture Unit have conclusively identified cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae, as the cause of death.
“We wish to assure the public that thorough investigations… have conclusively shown that the deaths are, in fact, caused by cyanobacteria,” the statement read.
The authority reported the deaths of four rhinoceroses, three zebras, four wildebeests, and four fish eagles, alongside over 1,000 fish washed ashore.
Cyanobacteria are microorganisms that can produce toxins harmful to wildlife, aquatic life, and humans. Their proliferation is often linked to nutrient-rich runoff, such as sewage or agricultural waste, entering water bodies. In this case, raw sewage runoff from the Marimba area has been identified as a contributing factor to the contamination.
ZimParks has closed off the lake to the public to prevent the sale and consumption of contaminated fish and is collaborating with stakeholders to address the issue and prevent future occurrences.
The public is urged to rely on official communication channels for accurate information and to avoid consuming fish from the affected area until further notice.
For more information on the impacts of cyanobacteria on wildlife and ecosystems, refer to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s resources.
