Ghana dam ‘puts hippos at risk’

A dam in Ghana built by a Chinese company will force hundreds of hippos to leave their habitat on the Black Volta river, Reuters reported conservationists as warning on Thursday.
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China’s Sino Hydro Corporation has just begun work on the US$620-million hydroelectric dam project in Ghana’s northwest.

One-fifth of Bui National Park will be flooded to create a vast reservoir.

The hippos, who graze on the river banks, will not be able to find enough food once the flooding starts and they are forced to move, Reuters reported conservationists as warning.

"I think we are looking at huge conflicts between people and hundreds of hungry hippos who descend on the farmlands," said British biologist Daniel Bennett, who does not oppose the dam but believes more should be done to help the hippos and other wildlife.

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