The semi-aquatic hippopotamus is the world’s third-largest land animal and is more closely related to whales and dolphins than other herbivorous land grazers. Despite their appearance, hippos are known to be unpredictable at times and are responsible for more human deaths in Africa than any other animal (except the mosquito). Their reputation does little to dissuade poaching for their ivory canines, which along with habitat loss, is a major contributing factor towards population decline.
