Back in 1992 Care for the Wild International received an urgent and alarming fax from Karen Paolillo in Zimbabwe. Could we help save the lives of a herd of hippos whose river was drying up during a terrible drought that had devastated much of the country? In response CFTWI funded the creation of a permanent water pan which saved the lives of the hippos and many other species in the area. Food was also provided to help the animals through the worst of the drought.

By Karen Paolillo

Sitting on the banks of the Turgwe river the piping whistle of water dikkops rings in my ears, the hippos semi-submerged expel air in soft gasps. A crocodile slowly pulls itself upon a sunning rock. At times like this, it is hard to recall the severity of the 1991/92 drought.

Yet memories should never be extinguished, and experience gained must be stored for future use. With each day spent with the Turgwe hippos, my mind is strengthened by a commitment I have made to them, as well as an obligation to all who helped me with sponsoring during the drought. Once one becomes involved in an animal's existence, it is not something one easily walks away from.

In addition to my behavioral study, I formed in October of 1994 the Turgwe Hippo Trust. Three trustees and myself feel morally bound not to allow the demise of the Turgwe hippos. In the lowveld of Zimbabwe, over 2,000 hippos used to reside, now just 350 remain. All Turgwe hippos live within a protected conservancy, so a realistic future for them is in the cards. The Trust has many aims, but one main objective is to use human intervention to eliminate the risk of the hippos total extinction from this lowveld land. We hope to build two more emergency pans, like the one sponsored by CFTWI, as well as adding a borehole in the area to supply water in the event of another severe drought. 

The Turgwe--once a perennial river-- was dammed many years ago, and it now only flows annually. To provide safe haven for these hippos as well as creating additional habitat during the dry season, more deep holding pools are necessary. The building of a few strategically located weirs will create these much needed pools. 

The hippos future must concern the native people of Africa. School children will be transported to Hippo Haven to meet and learn about their natural heritage. Jobs will be created for unemployed locals in all the hippo projects we have in mind. The list is growing as new ideas crop up. "Problem Hippos" who move into farming areas sadly often destroy the food the people need to survive and are shot as a result. Instead of letting them be killed, we will organize to have them brought into this area to places where suitable habitat exists for their survival.

All these ideas and aims stem from my personal experience during the terrible times of the 1991/92 drought. Life in Africa can be precarious, yet nature has great fortitude. My admiration and respect for these hippos increase with every day I share their lives. 

This year, two calves have already been born and a few weeks ago, one hippo with her offspring made me feel so honored that tears flowed from my eyes. This is the second of "Wish's" calves that I have studied since birth, and she surprised me by allowing me to stand upon the water's edge not more than 12 feet away from her, while her new calf suckled from her. The young hippo is now called "Trust" which is appropriate for a two-fold reason: I believe that the hippo's trust in humans necessitates the forming of the Turgwe Hippo Trust. 

CFTWI as ever appreciate what I wish to achieve. Already a generous donation from The Summerlee Foundation (based in the USA) has set us upon the right course. The future for the Turgwe hippos will, I hope, be bright with sunlight and without too many clouds.