Hippos' Giant Teeth Become Target for Hunters and Poaching That Could Lead to Species' Population Decline

(Photo : by Warren Little/Getty Images)
December 07, 2022 in Malelane, South Africa.

A recent report revealed that poachers had targeted the Hippos' giant teeth-replacing ivory, potentially impacting the species' population.

Hippos species are considered vulnerable to extinction due to threats they have encountered.

Conservationists and wildlife advocates raised concerns over the effect on the said species.

In a recent report, the BCC explained the increasing trade of hippos' teeth in the United Kingdom, as the country declared a near-total ban on the elephant ivory trade.

The news agency added that hippos could be found in Africa. In 2016, the common Hippo was on the red list of those vulnerable to extinction based on the IUCN (the International Union for the Conservation of Nature).

According to the African Wildlife Foundation, Hippopotamus has a life span of about 50 years in the wild and with a herbivorous diet.

Hippos are known to live and thrive in swaps, rivers and wetlands.

The Foundation explained that there are two known species of Hippopotamus, the large and common Hippos living in the wild.

Their large appearance makes them the third-largest mammal living on land.

However, their largest appearance does not spare them from threats.

Being on the red list and vulnerable to extinction, the species of Hippopotamus have suffered from threats of hunting and damage to habitats.

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Based on the African Wildlife Foundation's website revealed that hippos' ivory tusks are being hunted due to potential value in the marketplace.

The report added that about 5.5 tons of Hippopotamus teeth were said to be exported from Uganda in 2002.

Increasing Hippo ivory trade in the UK

On the other hand, the BBC's recent report showed an increase in the hippopotamus ivory trade in the United Kingdom, especially when the country implemented a near-total ban on the ivory trade among elephants.

The Hippopotamus's teeth could be valuable and found to be cheaper than the elephant's ivory.

According to the BBC report, a report led by Frankie Osuch said that the result of ivory tusks from Hippo shows an increase in the hippo trade in the country.

BornFree UK released the report.

Experts explained that the impact of the hippos' teeth trade could have a long-term effect on their population, noting that the said species are vulnerable to extinction and with a low birth rate.

The species of hippos suffer from threats to their habitats and humans, including illegal trade.

The BBC further ported that there was 770,000kg of hippo teeth being legally traded (between 1975 and 2017).

Meanwhile, despite bans and restrictions, illegal trade among hippos has been happening because of their value.

Despite records showing that the population of hippos has declined, extinction could be possible.

According to a BBC report, Joana Swabe explained that there was little work and research done to determine the population of Hippopotamus in different countries.

Swabe is Humane Society International's senior director.

Meanwhile, monitoring the legal and illegal trade of hippopotamus parts is crucial, especially because the population is declining.

With the impact of the said species' population, scientific research on the long-term effects on their population should be done.