HIPPOPOTAMUS

• Hippopotamus, also called hippo or water horse, is an amphibious African ungulate mammal.
• It is considered to be the second largest land animal (after the elephant).
• Hippos are well adapted to aquatic life.
• The ears, eyes, and nostrils are located high on the head so that the rest of the body may remain submerged.
• Hippopotamuses were extinct in northern Africa by 1800 and south of Natal and the Transvaal by 1900.
• They are still fairly common in East Africa, but populations continue to decrease continent wide.

Scientific Name:

• Hippopotamus amphibius.
• Human-wildlife conflict and habitat encroachment.
• Often killed for their meat under the guise of protection, and they are also hunted for hippo fat and their ivory canine teeth.

IUCN Red List: Vulnerable

CITES: Appendix Ill

SOURCE: THE HINDU , THE ECONOMIC TIMES , MINT