Hippos present complex welfare challenges in both zoo settings and their native African habitats, where they face growing pressure.
Hippo welfare in zoos requires careful attention to their semi-aquatic nature - access to deep water for thermoregulation and resting is essential. Social structure matters enormously: hippos are gregarious but can be extremely aggressive, and housing incompatible individuals causes severe stress and injury. In the wild, hippos face drought stress, human-wildlife conflict around water sources, and hunting. Climate change is increasing drought frequency across African range states, creating welfare emergencies as water holes dry up.