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Humane Society International (HSI) African representatives are determined to argue for the classification of hippo as an endangered species at the annual Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of Wild Fauna and Flora.
The global animal protection organisation will convene in Panama on November 14 to consider 52 proposals that recommend an increase or decrease in the protection of 600 endangered species.
HSI wildlife director Dr Audrey Delsink explains that the classification of the common hippo (Hippopotamus amphibius) as an endangered species will mean that it is moved from Appendix II, which includes animals that are not necessarily threatened with extinction, to Appendix I, which comprises animals that are under extreme threat and need protection.
“According to CITES trade data, South Africa exported an average of 122 hippos per year between 2009 and 2018, which is more than 1% of the national hippo population on average. This level of legal offtake of hippos threatens to reduce the wild population by as much as 30% over the next three generations."
Delsink adds that hippos are also vulnerable to climate change and droughts; she cited the 2015/16 drought that resulted in the death of 50% of the Kruger National Park's hippo population.
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“Including hippos in Appendix I would prohibit international trade in hippos and their parts, thereby ensuring that such trade would not contribute to further declines in wild hippo population,” said Delsink.
This issue extends beyond South Africa to Africa as ten African representatives intend to recommend the classification of hippo as an endangered species to limit commercial trade.
HSI director of wildlife programmes Adam Peyman said: “Hippos are an iconic African species, yet the scale of the international trade in their parts and products such as tusks, teeth, skins, skulls and trophies is shocking. We urge CITES parties to adopt this proposal to ensure that this commercial trade ends. This pointless industry of selling animal parts, along with other threats facing hippos, is pushing these incredible animals to the brink of extinction.”
Other top priorities on the agenda
Delsink adds that other issues that African representatives from HSI have are as follows:
- The proposal to change annotation to the listing of African elephant: The representatives plan to reject the proposal to change Annotation 2 to the listing of African elephant (Loxodonta africana) pertaining to the populations of Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Delsink said: “If approved, this proposal would allow international trade in hunting trophies, skins, live animals, hair, ivory, jewellery and registered owned stocks of African elephant ivory in certain circumstances.”
- The proposal to transfer the African elephant: Support the proposal to transfer the African elephant populations of Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe from Appendix II to Appendix I. African elephants continue to face a poaching crisis, with over 30 000 killed illegally each year across the continent.
The proposal to transfer the southern white rhino population from Appendix I to Appendix II: African representatives intend to reject the proposal to transfer the southern white Rhino population of Namibia from Appendix I to Appendix II for the exclusive purpose of allowing international trade in live animals and hunting trophies.
