Hippos Need Our Protection, Says This Country

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service has announced that hippopotamuses may soon qualify for protection under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

“We are pleased to see the Biden Administration’s announcement toward listing this iconic species. For the last 50 years, the Endangered Species Act has helped serve 99 percent of listed species from extinction. We look forward to supporting the administration in its work to ensure the protection of the hippo and other imperiled species for decades to come,” says the vice president of federal affairs at the Humane Society Legislative Fund, Tracie Letterman.

Hippos are threatened by many threats, including habitat loss, poaching, and international demand for their teeth, skulls, ivory, skin, and meat – all of which contribute to smaller population numbers. The move to protect the species comes after animal conservation groups petitioned and threatened to sue due to the lack of protections currently in place for the species within the United States. Protections under the Endangered Species Act would allow for near-total restrictions on commercial imports and sales of hippos, as well as would ultimately raise awareness and increase funding for the conservation of the species.