Nigeria Zoo Devastated by Floods, Deadly Animals Escape

A devastating flood in northern Nigeria’s Borno state has ravaged a large zoo, killing over 80% of its animal population, including lions, crocodiles, buffalo, and ostriches. The Sanda Kyarimi Park zoo warned that deadly animals, such as crocodiles and snakes, have escaped into nearby communities, posing a significant threat to residents.

The disaster was triggered by the overflow of the Alau Dam, which was caused by heavy rainfall. The resulting floods have uprooted thousands of people and affected various facilities in the state capital, Maiduguri, including a post office and a teaching hospital.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has extended his condolences to the affected families and pledged to address humanitarian needs. This latest disaster comes after floods in the north-east of Nigeria killed at least 49 people last month, and a 2022 flood that claimed over 600 lives. Borno state continues to grapple with a 15-year insurgency by the Boko Haram jihadist organization, which has caused significant human suffering and displacement.