- Locations: Sapo National Park, Liberia
- Active dates: 2005 - 2012
Aims
To ensure the survival of the pygmy hippopotamus throughout its range.
Species
Background
Occurs in West Africa (Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Ivory Coast and possibly Nigeria). The species is less social than the common hippopotamus and is primarily nocturnal, and the pygmy hippo’s range does not overlap with its common cousin. Hippo skin contains pores that secrete pink “blood-sweat”, a thick substance allowing them to remain in water or dry atmospheres for long periods. Pygmy hippos feature in folktales: one says that at night they carry diamonds in their mouths, and if a hunter catches one he gets the jewel. It is estimated that around 2,000-3,000 pygmy hippos survive, and the Nigerian subspecies may already be extinct.
Actions
Establish a camera trapping monitoring programme in the park
Train park staff to carry out monitoring activities
Conduct more in-depth surveys to determine pygmy hippo population and distribution in the park and provide data to inform management
Develop and implement a practical training course for students
Develop a Centre of Excellence for Ecological Research and Conservation Learning (CEERCL) to provide training for Liberian students and natural resource management professionals in field research methods and conservation issues
Gallery
Achievements
March 2008 - First confirmed camera trap photos (LINK) of pygmy hippo in Sapo National Park, confirming its continued presence in Liberia. .
In November 2010, ZSL hosted the first ‘International Pygmy Hippo Conservation Strategy Planning Workshop’. Held in Liberia, .attendees included government staff (from Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone), conservation NGO staff, species conservation specialists, representatives from academic institutions and other key stakeholders
An IUCN Species Conservation Strategy (SCS) and an updated distribution map for the pygmy hippo were produced
First video footage of the pygmy hippo in November 2011, Liberia
Associated Fellows
Collaborators and Supporters
-
Aalborg zoo
-
Attico park
-
GAIA Zoo
-
IUCN Save Our Species
-
US Fish and Wildlife Service
-
People's Trust for Endangered Species
Related blog posts
Baby Pygmy Hippo Makes a Splash
Today Sapo, the cute pygmy hippo calf at Whipsnade Zoo, took his first dip in the outdoor pool! The calf has been named after the national park in Liberia where EDGE fellow, John Konie, managed to secure the first camera trap pictures of the species in that country.
Camera captures rare glimpse of pygmy hippo
Camera traps are revolutionising our ability to track the changing fate of wildlife. Often used in remote locations looking for elusive species, this automated digital…
Conserving pygmy hippos in Sapo NP, Liberia
The good news is that efforts are well underway at Sapo National Park to help conserve the pygmy hippopotamus and ensures protection of its…
Finding pygmy hippos in Sierra Leone
The pygmy hippo is a priority EDGE mammal endemic to the threatened Upper Guinea Forests biodiversity hotspot with fewer than 3,000 believed to remain…
How to catch a pygmy hippo on camera
Trying to get cameras in the wild to capture images of the elusive pygmy hippo (Choeropsis liberiensis) is no easy task, but the project…