NCF Raises Alarm Over Indiscriminate Killing of Hippos in Nigeria
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NCF Raises Alarm Over Indiscriminate Killing of Hippos in Nigeria |
The Nigerian Conservation Foundation warns against the killing of hippos in Nigeria, with only about 100 left. Urgent conservation measures are needed.
Urgent Call to Protect Nigeria’s Endangered Hippos
The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has issued a strong warning over the continued and indiscriminate killing of hippopotamuses in Nigeria, revealing that fewer than 100 remain in the wild. This alarming decline follows the recent killing of a common river hippo (Hippopotamus amphibius) in Etsako Central Local Government Area, Edo State.
In a statement shared with The Punch in Yenagoa, the NCF condemned the act, describing it as an “unlawful killing” and a violation of national wildlife protection laws.
Hippos in Nigeria Facing Critical Threat
According to the NCF, the common river hippo, classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, survives only in scattered pockets across the country. However, habitat destruction, climate change, and human-wildlife conflict have pushed the species to the brink.
- Estimated remaining population in Nigeria: Less than 100
- Historical species lost: The pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis heslopi), once native to the Niger Delta, is now locally extinct
- Key threats: Poaching, flooding, shrinking grazing areas, and human encroachment
The killing of a hippo from such a fragile population, the foundation stressed, is both illegal and deeply damaging to Nigeria’s natural heritage.
Habitat Loss and Climate Pressures
NCF’s Director General, Dr. Joseph Onoja, explained that the hippo’s death reflects a broader environmental crisis:
“The collapse of freshwater habitats, climate-driven flooding, and the reduction of grazing areas are forcing hippos into closer contact with humans — often with deadly consequences for both.”
These challenges are compounded by economic desperation in rural communities, where people sometimes target wildlife for meat or perceived threats, despite legal protections.
Why Hippos Are Crucial to Ecosystems
Hippos are ecosystem engineers that help maintain wetland health, regulate water systems, and support biodiversity. Without them, freshwater ecosystems could degrade rapidly, threatening countless other species.
The NCF has called for stronger law enforcement, greater community awareness, and collaboration between traditional leaders, conservationists, and government agencies to end wildlife crime.
How to Support Hippo Conservation in Nigeria
To help protect hippos and other endangered species:
- Report any incidents of wildlife killing to authorities
- Support local conservation programs
- Raise awareness about the ecological importance of hippos
- Advocate for sustainable coexistence between humans and wildlife
For more on Nigeria’s wildlife challenges and environmental issues, visit Androidpols Nigeria for in-depth reports. You can also explore the IUCN Red List’s hippopotamus profile for global conservation status updates.
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