The distribution of the common hippopotamus was studied along a 165-kilometer stretch of the Luangwa River in eastern Zambia. Population growth and decline cause oscillations that have persisted for the last 40 years (1976-2015). The research area was divided into upper (A-D) and lower (E-H) study blocks. Between 1976 and 2015, population data revealed a significant difference in the pattern of density distribution between upper and lower study blocks. Upper blocks had a higher density of 41/km than lower blocks, which had a density of 29/km. The length of the study blocks and mortality were discounted because density was used to determine the distribution pattern and mortality was applied to both river segments and was insignificant. These findings suggest that higher hippopotamus density was associated with higher primary production in each study block as influenced by river geomorphologic features such as river bends and confluences. The current study also discovered that hippopotamus pasture was primarily limited to the alluvial belt, which contained vast grasslands in some places, such as the Nsefu Plains in the upper river segment. Additional research is needed to look into other factors that may have interacted with food (above ground grass biomass) and river meander features to separate upper and lower blocks.
Author (s) DetailsChansa Chomba
School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Disaster Management Training Centre, Mulungushi University, Kabwe, Zambia.
Twakundine Simpamba
Department of Research, Zambia Wildlife Authority, Chilanga, Zambia.
George Kampamba
Copperbelt University, Kitwe, Zambia.
Vincent Nyirenda
Department of Research, Zambia Wildlife Authority, Chilanga, Zambia.
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