Hippo Census in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Hippo Census in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Hippos are among the most researched animals in Queen Elizabeth National Park with the largest population cantered along the Kazinga Channel among all animals in the park. Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Uganda’s largest National Parks covering an area of 1978sqkm renowned for incredible biodiversity, stunning landscapes, and diverse wildlife.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to over 95 mammal species including elephants, lions, buffaloes, leopards, hyenas, Uganda kobs, antelopes, Topi, waterbucks, warthogs, forest hogs, monkeys, baboons, and other animals, 600 bird species including the African Fish Eagle, Shoebill Stork, White-winged Tern, Great White Egret, Little Egret, Pink-backed Pelican, Black-crowned Night Heron, Yellow-billed Stork, African Jacana, Malachite Kingfisher, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Brown-headed Parrot, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Purple Heron, African Openbill Stork, Red-chested Cuckoo, Pied Kingfisher, Crowned Crane and other species.

The hippo census is a critical part of the park’s conservation efforts since it covers the largest population of all animals in the park. The population census is done by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), wildlife Researchers, and some environmental organizations.

Characteristics and Behaviour of Hippos

• Size and Weight: Hippos are the second largest land mammals and are usually found in water-logged areas. Adult males can weigh up to 4,000 pounds (1,800 kg), while females typically weigh between 3,000 and 3,500 pounds (1,400 to 1,600 kg).
• Habitat Preference: Hippos are semi-aquatic animals and predominantly water lovers where they spend most of their time in water. In Queen Elizabeth National Park, Hippos Usually congregate in areas of Kazinga Channel, Lake George, Lake Edward, most lakes and rivers of the park.
• Diet: Hippos are typical herbivores animals that feed on grass that grows in the park’s floodplains. Hippos usually graze at night when there is no direct sunlight thus able to move about 10km away from water in search of Food. They can consume vast amounts of food weighing up to 35 kg every night.
• Social structure: Hippos live in large groups called pods with about 30 members consisting of several females and offspring as well as a dominant male that usually has access to females. Just like cattle, a male hippo is called a bull, and a young one is called a calf.
• Interaction with other species: Hippos interact with a variety of members of their species including Elephants, crocodiles, buffaloes, and warthogs. Despite their peaceful grazing habitats, hippos can be dangerous to other animals if they are provoked or threatened.

What is the role of Hippos in the Ecosystem of Queen Elizabeth National Park?

Ecological Role

Hippos are among the ecosystem engineers playing a vital role in nutrient cycling and habitat creation. They help create grazing lawns after their dung that contain nutrients that support the growth of pasture for other animal species.

Tourist attraction

Hippos in Queen Elizabeth National Park are the most common sightings for tourists during boat cruises and game drives in the park. Most times are seen wallowing in water thus giving visitors a chance to witness these massive animals in their natural habitat.

When is the hippo census done in Queen Elizabeth National Park?

The Hippo census in Queen Elizabeth National Park is often carried out during the dry season. The dry season in Queen Elizabeth National Park typically runs from December to February and June to August. During this season, the hippos congregate at the water sources which makes the counting process easier to conduct.

How is the Hippo census done?

The hippo census is done in various ways which include aerial surveys, and ground surveys such as boat counts and direction observations along the riverbanks and lake shores. The introduction of drones and GPS tracking systems has made the census process easier. The census is done usually early in the morning and late in the evening and this process is usually done once in two years.

During the counting process, the boat teams keep communicating the counted number as well as filling their data sheet forms. The census process may also involve taking photographs, maps, and taking counts in the data sheet forms.

According to the current census results, it shows that Uganda is home to over Five thousand hippos cantered in the Kazinga channel and the entire Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Other animals in Queen Elizabeth National Park

In addition to the renowned hippo census, Queen Elizabeth National Park is also home to a diverse array of wildlife including African elephants, Uganda Kobs, waterbucks, lions, chimpanzees, leopards, buffaloes, crocodiles, hyenas, jackals, bushbabies, monkeys, baboons, genets, mongoose, and different bird species.

What to do in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Game drive safaris

Game drives are the best way to explore the park’s ecosystems where visitors get a chance to spot a variety of animals in the park including African elephants, Uganda Kobs, waterbucks, lions, chimpanzees, leopards, buffaloes, crocodiles, hyenas, jackals, bushbabies, monkeys, baboons, genets, mongoose, and different bird species.

Boat Cruise Safaris

 Embark on a guided boat cruise safari that takes you along the stunning Kazinga channel that connects Lake George to Lake Edward and is home to a variety of wildlife species including hippos, elephants, crocodiles, warthogs, and different species of birds in the park.

Bird Watching

 Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to 600 bird species thus making it a birder’s paradise where you will spot a variety of bird species including the Goliath Heron, Palm-nut Vulture, White-rumped Vulture, Lesser Kestrel, African Grey Hornbill, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Yellow-billed Oxpecker, Buffalo Weaver, Red-billed Firefinch, Grey-crowned Crane, Saddle-billed Stork, Whiskered Tern, Dusky Lark, White-faced Whistling Duck, Squacco Heron, Hamerkop, Broad-billed Roller, White-crowned Robin Chat, Chiffchaff, Spotted Thick-knee, Papyrus Gonolek, Brown-backed Honeybird, Woolly-necked Stork, Black-headed Heron, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Lesser Black-backed Gull, African Pygmy Goose, Little Swift, Kori Bustard, Yellow-bellied Greenbul, Barn Swallow, Red-winged Starling, African Blue Flycatcher, Tawny Eagle, Black-headed Batis, Sunbird, Wood Sandpiper, African Green Pigeon, Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk, White-tailed Lark, Rattling Cisticola, Broad-tailed Paradise Whydah and Northern Red Bishop.

When to Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park can be visited at any time of the year though the best time is during the dry season which runs from December to February and June to August. During this time, the roads are dry and easy to navigate for game drives, and calm waters for boat cruise safaris thus creating a beautiful stay on a Uganda safari.