Judge grants USFWS 3 more years to decide on hippo status

Federal authorities have three more years to decide whether to list the common hippopotamus as endangered or threatened after a recent court decision. While not native to the U.S., several conservation groups petitioned the USFWS to add the common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) to the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 2022 due to the trade of its parts in the U.S. for meat, leather and other products. As a result of poaching in Africa and other issues, the hippos are declining in many parts of their historical range. A federal judge has now ordered the USFWS to decide about listing hippos by July 27, 2028.

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