Hippos are massive semi-aquatic megafauna whose welfare in the wild is threatened by habitat loss, drought, ivory poaching, and human-wildlife conflict across sub-Saharan Africa.
Wild hippo welfare deteriorates significantly during drought events. Forced congregation in shrinking water bodies creates extreme crowding, escalating intraspecific fights, and infectious disease transmission. Territorial fights between bulls cause serious injuries — deep gashes from tusk attacks that can become fatally infected. Anthrax outbreaks in crowded, drought-stressed populations cause painful deaths. Poaching for their ivory teeth and meat adds direct hunting mortality. Human conflict creates a cycle where hippos are killed near settlements, reducing river populations that provide important ecological services. Climate change worsening drought frequency and severity represents a growing long-term welfare threat to hippo populations across Africa.