Where to see Hippos in the UK

The hippopotamus, often simply called the hippo, is a large, mostly herbivorous mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa. These semi-aquatic animals thrive in rivers and lakes, where they spend much of their day submerged to keep cool. Hippos primarily graze on grasses during the night, consuming up to 150 pounds of food each evening. While the conservation status of hippos has not been formally evaluated, their populations are threatened by habitat loss and poaching for their meat and ivory tusks. An interesting fact about hippos is that, despite their bulky size, they can run surprisingly fast on land, reaching speeds of up to 19 miles per hour! Families in the UK can visit various zoos and wildlife parks to see these fascinating creatures up close.