Common Hippopotamus, Hippopotamus Amphibian (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Kouoptamo Subdivision-Cameroon

The Kouoptamo subdivision is one of the localities of the Noun Division that adjoins the Noun River. It served as a study area because of the presence of hippopotamus. This study carried out from January to July 2017, aimed to contribute to the sustainable management of wildlife by improving the observation of hippopotamuses (Hippopotamus amphibius) along the Noun River in the Kouoptamo subdivision. The data were obtained by administering a semi-structured survey form to fishermen, farmers, and local authorities. The results show that the average number of hippopotamuses observed along the River Noun in Kouoptamo is 10. On average, Mefuh records a very abundant potential with 13 individuals. This is followed by Buea and Mangouhnoun (7), Upstream of the dam (5), Makoumahou (4), and Downstream of the dam (3). According to habitat types, megaherbivores are highest in herbaceous savannah (6), followed by forest gallery (5), and finally shrub savannah (3). The months of observation are January and April with the greatest potential (20) and (15), followed by February and June (9) respectively, then March, May, and July (7) respectively. These pachyderms are most frequently observed in the afternoon between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. (7), followed by the morning between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. (6), then at midday between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. (5) and finally at night between 7 p.m. and 4 a.m. (4). Very few studies have been carried out on hippopotamuses in Cameroon, so aspects of their biology and ecology remain unknown; precise estimates of population size and evolutionary trends are still incomplete. However, according to the CBD, knowledge of these resources is essential for better management.