December 17, 2025 – The village of Djouroutou was buzzing with excitement on Hippo Day 2025, organized by the CSRS through the Hippo Project, in partnership with the OIPR, GAIA Zoo, IBREAM, Rotterdam Zoo, and the IEPP in Djouroutou.

The event, focused on raising awareness and promoting conviviality, brought together hundreds of children from local schools, accompanied by their parents.

The festivities opened with a lively parade, where the children sang enthusiastically:

“Hippo! Hippopotamus, don't kill them, they are our friends.”

A simple slogan, but one with a powerful message: protect the pygmy hippopotamus, a rare and endangered species.

Following the parade, local authorities and partners took the floor to reiterate the importance of conservation and community engagement. 

The day continued with an engineering and drawing competition, traditional and modern dances, and a soccer tournament that brought children and parents together in a festive and supportive atmosphere.

Beyond entertainment, the initiative aimed to raise awareness among participants about the pygmy hippopotamus and highlight the urgency of its preservation for future generations.

Hippo Day 2025 proved to be both a festive and educational event, leaving lasting memories and strengthening the collective commitment to biodiversity.

The Hippo Project would like to thank the IEPP in Djouroutou for its exceptional mobilization, which greatly contributed to the success of this edition.

Hermann Digbeu/CSRS