Does Shore Length Influence Population Size and Density Distribution of Hippopotamus
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Date
2012-04
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Abstract
Population surveys of common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) in Zambia were carried out
between 2005 and 2008 to estimate population size and density distribution patterns against shore
length. River bank foot counts were used in the Luangwa River system while boat/canoe counts were
used to collect population data from lakes, dams and rivers. Population estimate was 40,060
hippopotami distributed over shore length of 11, 892 km. Luangwa, Zambezi and Kafue Rivers had
shore length of 4,150 km which was only 35% of total shore length. The three rivers with only 35% of
shore length had 35,000 individuals which was 87.36% of total population estimate, distributed as
follows; Luangwa 25,000 (62% of total), Zambezi 6,500 (16% of total) and Kafue 4,000 (10% of total). Chisquare
test showed a significant difference in population estimates in Luangwa, Zambezi and Kafue (
2
,
P < 0.05) being highest in the Luangwa (62%), Zambezi (16%) and Kafue (10%) respectively. It was found
that shore length did not determine population density distribution. The Luangwa River which was not
the longest had the largest number of hippopotamus supporting 62% of the national population
estimate. More research is required to investigate other physical and anthropogenic factors
determining hippopotamus population density distribution along shore length of water bodies.
Description
Keywords
Population status, Luangwa, Zambezi, Kafue, Shore length, Estimate.
Citation
Chomba, C., Senzota, R., Chabwela, H. and Nyirenda, V., 2013. Does shore length influence population size and density distribution of hippopotamus?. Journal of Ecology and The Natural Environment, 5(4), pp.56-63.