Torrential floods in northern Nigeria have wiped out over 80% of the animals housed in the Sanda Kyarimi Park Zoo, located in Borno State, a region already struggling with insurgency. The zoo, which hosted a wide variety of wildlife, including lions, crocodiles, buffaloes, and ostriches, confirmed the catastrophic losses on Tuesday.
The floods, triggered by an overflow of the Alau Dam following heavy rainfall, have not only destroyed the zoo but also released dangerous animals into nearby communities. “Some deadly animals have been washed away into our communities, like crocodiles and snakes,” the zoo warned in a public statement, urging residents to stay alert and take necessary precautions.
The flooding has also displaced thousands of residents and damaged vital infrastructure, including a local post office and a teaching hospital in Maiduguri, the state capital. The office of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu issued a statement expressing condolences to the victims of the disaster. “President Tinubu extends his heartfelt condolences to the government and people of the state, especially to the families that have lost their means of livelihood due to the disaster triggered by the overflow of the Alau Dam,” the statement said, adding that immediate humanitarian assistance would be provided.
Borno State, already grappling with a 15-year insurgency led by Boko Haram, is no stranger to hardship. The latest disaster comes just weeks after floods in the northeast killed at least 49 people, while devastating floods in 2022 claimed over 600 lives.
Local authorities are urging residents in the hardest-hit areas to evacuate to safer grounds as they assess the full impact of the ongoing crisis.
