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Nigerian Zoo Devastated by Flooding, Animals Escape into Communities

A flood in northern Nigeria has devastated the animal population of the Sanda Kyarimi Zoo in Borno State, wiping out 80% of its inhabitants. The disaster, triggered by the collapse of the Alau dam, left the zoo facing significant losses and posed new dangers to nearby communities.

Ali Abatcha Don Best, the zoo’s general manager, reported that the collapse of the dam, which had been overwhelmed by days of heavy rainfall, resulted in severe flooding across the region. This led to the deaths of most of the zoo’s animals. Additionally, the floodwaters allowed several dangerous reptiles, including crocodiles and snakes, to escape from the facility, posing a potential threat to residents.

“Some deadly animals have been washed away into our communities, like crocodiles and snakes,” Don Best warned, urging people to stay vigilant and take precautionary measures. Local efforts to recapture the animals have already seen some success, with one ostrich, previously filmed wandering through the streets of Maiduguri, safely returned to the zoo. However, access to some areas remains blocked due to persistent floodwaters, making it difficult to recover other escaped animals.

Reports of other wildlife sightings, including a hippopotamus, have surfaced, though Don Best clarified that not all of these animals belong to the zoo. The flooding may have also displaced animals from different locations.

The Alau dam collapse has resulted in some of the worst flooding the area has seen in decades. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has called for evacuations in high-risk areas, particularly those near rivers, and has directed the National Emergency Management Agency to assist affected communities. In a statement, the president expressed his condolences to the people of Borno, particularly to those who lost their livelihoods due to the flood.

While the full extent of the human toll remains unknown, with no official death count released yet, local police estimate that about 15% of Maiduguri, the state capital, has been submerged.