A cow needs this much range, and eats whatever grass and weeds grow there. How much range does a hippo need? And does it need good quality food? My thought is that the resources needed to raise a hippo to butchering size, and to keep a breeding stock, would cost far more than what you could ever get selling the meat. But if someone wanted to raise them, stop listening to all of the people screaming, "Protected Species". And just buy a few from zoos and start your breeding stock.