African Wildlife Foundation – Hippopotamus face a growing threat from the illegal wildlife trade, despite their imposing size and reputation for aggression. While Africa boasted a population of around 157,000 hippos in 2004, recent estimates reveal a concerning decline, underscoring the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect these vulnerable species.
Classified as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), hippopotamus they receive less international protection, putting them at risk from habitat loss, illegal hunting, and unregulated trade.