iarjalsIARJALSIARJALS2708-5104https://doi.org/10.47310/iarjals.2022.v03i02.007Is the Resilient Luangwa (Zambia) Common Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) Population a Benediction of Conservation Effort or Curse? Resolving the Conservation DilemmaChansaChombaChristopherKaomaSchool of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science Mulungushi University P. O. Box 80415, Kabwe, ZambiaDepartment of National Parks and Wildlife, Chilanga, ZambiaThis is a review paper assessing the ecological resilience of the Luangwa (Zambia) hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) with respect to (i) Population Size, Structure and Distribution, (ii) Primary Production and Grazing Capacity, (iii) Mortality and (iv) Population distribution in relation to non-food resources and security. The information analyzed in this report was based on the data collected since 1976 using total river bank counts. In this technique a pair of binoculars and GPS locations are used to record schools and to classify them in age groups. Records from culled carcasses are also used to consolidate sex and age classes’ determination. Data on body condition is based on Kidney Fat Index (KFI), while mortality records kept at Chinzombo Research stations covers deaths from hunting, culling, control, disease and senescence as unknown. Data on pasture is based on the clip-weigh - dry - re-weigh method tied to the Becovol Model and used to obtain above ground biomass, while the influence of the river geomorphology in creating a favorable habitat is based on satellite imagery and ground. As reported by several earlier studies, the Luangwa hippo population is resilient. Supported by the good quality habitat with numerous geomorphologic features which among other things enhances calf survival while habitat loss is insignificant because a significant proportion of the river is located in National Parks and Game Management Areas. The proposal to uplift the Appendix listing of the hippo population from Appendix II to Appendix I of CITES is not valid for Zambia. International trade of hippo specimens is not a significant factor affecting the hippo population in Zambia. Attention should be placed on habitat quality, anthropogenic influences such as encroachment of humans on hippo habitat and perhaps water availability in drought years and the effects of Climate change.