Some behavioural characteristics of common hippopotamus (H. amphibius Linn. 1758) in Nigeria's Kainji Lake National Park

Abstract

A study of behaviour of the common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius Linn. 1758) in a dry season water pool was conducted at the Kali hippo pool (Km 19.5 from Oli Base Camp)Kainji Lake National Park, using both scan sampling and focal point techniques. The pattern of daily use of the sample hippo pool by the resident hippos centered on three areas of the pool, namely: the deep pool portion; exposed sandy riverbed and rocky outcrops with surrounding shallow water. The scan sampling showed that floating hippos' number diminished with prolonged stay of tourists (visitors) at the pools. The hippo's foraging range did not exceed 5km distance outside the Oli River fringing forest line into the savanna. The need for the hippos to emerge from water as early as 18.00 hours to forage is a behavioural tendency of significance. The tourists spending late hours at the pool sites should be advised on the danger of standing between the hippos and water on one hand, and between water and foraging areas on the other.

Keywords: hippopotamus, behaviour, territoriality, game-viewing

International Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Vol. 5 2004: 27-35