The Fish and Wildlife Service will lumber toward a 2028 decision on whether to protect the hippopotamus, under a legal settlement finalized Monday.
Pressed by litigation, the federal agency pledged to determine by July 27, 2028, whether the hippo warrants listing as threatened or endangered. The agreement reached last month and approved by a federal judge Monday settles a lawsuit filed after the FWS missed an earlier deadline.
“The iconic hippo deserves better than to be traded as parts and frivolous souvenirs, so I’m relieved these animals will finally get a decision on protections,” said Tanya Sanerib, international legal director at the Center for Biological Diversity, adding that “while these delightfully chunky creatures at least have a deadline now, overall things are moving too slowly to protect imperiled wildlife.”
The environmental group joined Humane Society International, the Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society Legislative Fund in filing a 2022 petition to list the hippo. Under the ESA, the FWS 12 months, until March of 2023, to make a determination on the petition.