Human-hippos (Hippopotamus amphibius) interactions in villages adjacent to Lake Babati, Tanzania

Abstract

Hippos (Hippopotamus amphibius) are herbivores and semi-aquatic feeding on farmlands mainly at night. Although human-hippopotamus interactions are known to occur, there is little information in the area surrounding Lake Babati. The study aimed to assess: the areas dominated by hippo visits; problems caused by hippos to the local communities’; major challenges to crops compared to hippos, crops preferred by hippos and seasonal variations in hippo visits across the study villages. Semi structured questionnaire, focused group discussions and direct observation methods were used in data collection. The findings reveal that the hippos mostly visit the farms and residential areas closer to the lake (>3 km) across the villages. Hippos were perceived as the major challenge to crops compared to drought and diseases. The respondents closer to the lake reported crop raiding as the major problem caused by hippos and the incidents reported to be severe during the rainy season. Maize crop was reported to be highly preferred by hippos compared to other crops. The study recommends to the key stakeholders to come up with proper management strategies giving priority to the areas within 3 km adjacent the lake. This may include establishment of the buffer zone and growing alternative crops that are not preferred by the hippos so as to attain hippos’ conservation and livelihoods development goals.