A crude estimate of the number of hippopotamus in Africa in 1994 was 157,000 of which 80,000 were thought to occur in southern Africa. The species "does not appear to be in any danger of extinction and there is no immediate cause for alarm over its future." (HSG 1993). The species is classified as 'Least concern' in the IUCN Red Data Book (Hilton-Taylor 2000). It was listed on Appendix II of CITES in 1995 contrary to the provisions of the criteria for listings.

Namibia holds about 1% of the African hippo population and most of the animals are in the Caprivi. The species is not under any threat in Namibia although the subpopulations on the Cunene River and upper Okavango are very small. However, given the aridity of the Cunene region and the high human population densities on the Okavango River it cannot be expected that there will ever be large subpopulations in these areas. The Caprivi population could be increased but this is dependent on various limiting factors, mainly wildlife in general playing a larger rôle as the primary land use in the region.

Hippo provide moderate benefits to the people of the Caprivi at the same time as causing significant losses of crops. The management measures required to enhance the status of hippo may include a greater devolution of rights and responsibilities for hippo management (i.e. the conservancies should set their own quotas) combined with a coordinated harvesting programme. In situations where hippo are unable to increase in number, natural regulating mechanisms tend to reduce population growth. Thus cropping from the population may in fact stimulate productivity.

Greater devolution of rights to manage hippo will not be possible while hippo remain designated as Specially Protected Species under Schedule 3 of the present wildlife legislation (Nature Conservation Ordinance, No.4 1975) and authority is denied to communal landholders under clause 37(1)(a)(ii) to kill hippo in defence of crops or property. There would appear to be no sound biological reasons for this classification and, indeed, it may be acting against conservation of the species.