There are only two hippo species on the planet — both are threatened with extinction. Will you help them?
Hippos might seem big and mighty, but they are up against some even bigger threats. This has put a strain on remaining populations and impacts the vital ecosystems they inhabit.
What are the biggest threats to hippos today?
- Climate change and droughts: Water bodies are drying up, drastically reducing the habitat available for hippos and affecting their access to water, which is essential for their survival.
- Human conflict and habitat loss: Hippos are now competing for the same resources, fertile land and water, that humans need. This has forced hippos to move closer into contact with humans as more of their habitat is lost to intentional damming, agricultural expansion, urban development, and deforestation.
- Poaching and trade: Thousands of hippos are killed annually by hunters and their products, including leather, skulls, and teeth, are bought and sold around the world every year. To avoid direct confrontation, some hunters don’t kill hippos right away but create cuts in their feet to let infections develop, causing them to suffer prolonged pain before they die.
What will happen if we don’t stop these threats?
Hippos may go extinct. There are only 2,000 pygmy hippos left in the wild, with their numbers declining. Once, a subspecies of pygmy hippo existed in Nigeria, but it’s long thought to be extinct as none have been spotted for decades.
Sadly hippos don’t receive the same amount of conservation attention as other larger mammals. Without increased efforts to protect their habitats and reduce poaching, we risk losing these magnificent creatures forever. Change their course with a donation today.
