Hippopotamus

Hippos herds greatly benefit the rivers and lakes where they live, their excrement fertilizing the vegetation of the habitat. As a result, all animals in the food chain benefit, and fishing is usually very good in hippo areas. When the supply of nearby vegetation in areas near hippo pools became scarce, however, these huge animals sometimes feed in farm fields, where many have been shot. Also, hippos are hunted for their meat, hide, and ivory tusks.

The numbers of pygmy hippos left in the wild is uncertain because they are so rarely seen, but it is likely that they are an endangered species. Luckily, pygmy hippos breed well in zoos, and it may one day be possible to restock the wild habitats.