Editor's Den

Raghul Patteri

Editor

It is often difficult to imagine a large, powerful, and intimidating animal as itself being threatened. But such is the intricate nature of the life processes and ecosystems on mother earth that the mightiest animals could become threatened by seemingly the most far-fetched causes. Consider the Hippo – a giant of the African wilderness with males weighing in at 1500 kgs, an intimidating mass of muscle with menacing tusks. Seeing them spend around 16 hours a day submerged in water or wallowing in mud, you may be forgiven to think “what could pose a threat to these giants?”.

The greatest villain of our times is climate change. A very simple-sounding but less understood phenomenon, which is wreaking havoc with unpredictable, extreme weather patterns and causing irreparable damage to ecosystems. In this edition of PT Aware, Dr. Peter Hudson, Conservation Director of Paws Trails takes you through the intricacies of the Hippo’s life and how their dependence on the water makes them a victim to climate change. It is interesting that too much water caused by heavier than usual rainfall can be detrimental for even a species like the Hippo with so much dependency on water. On the other end of this is the loss of water bodies and reduced availability of water caused by construction and urbanization which is adverse for beings like the Hippo.

Such is the fine balance of maintaining life on earth!

And then there is human greed, that inexplicable streak in us which prompts us to take the life of a fellow being only to make an ornament out of it. With the curbs on elephant ivory, Hippo teeth are taking their place. Poaching for meat is also adding pressure on the Hippo populations. The global wildlife trade can only be curbed by reducing the demand. We should take efforts to go to the source of the demand, educate people and sensitize them to the persecution of animals caused by their demand – only then will we have a lasting solution to poaching. Education and awareness are more powerful than a hundred boots on the ground to protect these creatures. Let us make a vow not to let our greed come in the way of an animal’s survival.

This edition is illustrated by amazing photographs provided by the global Paws Trails community of gifted photographers. We thank each of you for your contribution and for helping give visual impact to Peter’s narrative. Paws Trails is proud to showcase your images to the world to tell the story of the Hippo.

Our next edition will feature the Ostrich, so be ready to upload your images of these truly marvelous birds.

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