Why did hippopotamus populations disappear from northern Africa?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

A hippopotamus stands at the edge of a watering hole, with several other hippos partially submerged in the water, surrounded by green vegetation in Botswana, Africa. — hippopotamus The word *hippopotamus* is Greek for “river horse,” which reflects their behavior: they are often seen basking on the banks or sleeping in the waters of rivers, lakes, and swamps across Africa. They favor shallow areas where they can sleep half-submerged, though these places can become quite crowded—as many as 150 hippos may use one pool in the dry season.

Hippopotamus populations disappeared from northern Africa by 1800 primarily due to human activity. Humans actively sought to exterminate them because hippos often ruined crops, and they were also hunted for their meat and hides. Additionally, their teeth were highly valued as a source of ivory, which further incentivized hunting. These combined pressures led to their extinction in the region.1