Hippo meat is sold on the black market as a delicacy. Trade in hippo ivory went up sharply after the international ban on trading in elephant ivory in 1989. Although a majority of hippo populations inhabit protected areas such as national parks, conservation areas, game reserves and sanctuaries, poachers hunt hippos in areas where there is civil unrest or law enforcement is minimal. read more
I’m not too sure about the hippo part, but especially with elephants, their tusks are very valuable. In fact, the illegal trading of ivory has been a pretty big issue that many countries in Africa are trying to stop. read more
Sometime thereafter, Hippopotamus hunting rose sharply. At the current rate, experts claim they will become extinct soon. Hunting increased when Hippopotamus meat became a food source during wartime chaos in their habitats. It also increased because African elephants are also disappearing, making the Hippo's teeth the next alternative to ivory. read more