REPORTS OF CARNIVORY BY THE COMMON HIPPO HIPPOPOTAMUS-AMPHIBIUS

The First known observations of carnivory by hippos were recorded in H wange National Park, Zimbabwe in 1995. Three additional observations o f carnivory by hippos have subsequently been reported from East Africa . Hippos, heretofore generally regarded as obligate herbivores and sho rt-grass grazing specialists, may possess a much broader feeding niche than has been previously recognized. This new evidence demonstrates a serious shortfall in our current understanding of the foraging ecolog y of hippos. It appears that existing scientific knowledge of hippo be haviour and ecology is far from comprehensive despite the widespread d istribution, obtrusive and often adversarial character of hippo/human interactions.