Zoo Animals

Zoo Hippo Aquatic Welfare Requirements

Hippopotamuses are highly aquatic animals requiring deep water pools for thermoregulation, skin health and psychological welfare.

Key Facts

Hippos spend up to 16 hours daily in water to thermoregulate and protect sensitive skin
Their skin produces a natural sunscreen secretion requiring water immersion to function
Aggression between hippos requires pool design allowing escape and separation
Hippos are highly territorial and poorly suited to small zoo enclosures
Pool depth allowing full submersion is an essential welfare requirement

Welfare Considerations

Hippopotamus welfare in captivity depends critically on access to deep pools with sufficient space to avoid forced proximity with conspecifics. Skin damage from inadequate water access is visible and preventable. Zoo facilities without appropriate aquatic infrastructure should not keep hippos.

What You Can Do

Support zoos with appropriate deep pool facilities for hippos
Advocate for minimum pool depth standards in hippo accreditation
Learn about hippo aquatic behaviour when evaluating zoo facilities