Hippos – enigmatic amphibians
While they are certainly large and dangerous, I suspect the reputation might be less relevant these days. I have seen no data on numbers of people killed by respective animals, but I would believe that conflict with humans, particularly in South Africa, has been much reduced. Elephants might more deservedly claim that reputation! In the past, people tended to concentrate along rivers, and their crops would have been a major attraction to hippos. The resulting conflict, along with people in flimsy canoes trespassing on hippos’ territorial pools, would have led to significantly more human-hippo incidents than is currently the situation. Another factor is that a hippo out of water that is disturbed by people, will rush for the safety of the river and people might get hurt or killed simply by being in the way.
A hippo finding its retreat blocked by people, could easily react with aggression.
Dr Ian John Whyte is an independent environmental consultant
