Pygmy Hippopotamus

Pygmy hippos (Choeropsis liberiensis) are critically threatened forest dwellers of West Africa, with populations declining due to habitat loss, hunting, and human encroachment. There are only 2500 left. Conservation efforts focus on protecting their rainforest habitats, conducting research, and engaging local communities. Below are three key projects leading the effort to save the pygmy hippo.

1. Pygmy Hippo Conservation Programme (PHCP)

Location: Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire
Launched by: Zoological Society of London (ZSL)
Overview: A regional initiative dedicated to understanding and protecting pygmy hippos and their habitats through research, monitoring, and community partnerships.
Key Goals:

• Conduct field surveys and camera trapping to map populations.
  
• Strengthen anti-poaching and forest protection measures.
  
• Collaborate with local communities to promote sustainable land use.
  Impact: Improved knowledge of pygmy hippo distribution and stronger protection of critical rainforest areas.
  

2. Gola Rainforest National Park Project

Location: Sierra Leone and Liberia
Partners: Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Gola Rainforest Conservation LG, and local governments
Overview: Protects one of the last intact Upper Guinean rainforests, a vital refuge for pygmy hippos.
Core Activities:

• Anti-poaching patrols and habitat restoration.
  
• Creation of ecological corridors to connect fragmented forest zones.
  
• Community-based conservation promoting eco-tourism and sustainable farming.
  Impact: Stable pygmy hippo presence confirmed through camera traps and reduced hunting pressure.
  

3. Sapo National Park Conservation Initiative

Location: Southeastern Liberia
Managed by: Forestry Development Authority (FDA) of Liberia with international NGOs
Overview: Focuses on safeguarding Liberia’s largest protected area, home to one of the most significant pygmy hippo populations.
Key Actions:

• Deploy ranger patrols to prevent illegal logging and hunting.
  
• Use camera traps and DNA sampling to monitor populations.
  
• Train local communities in sustainable forest management.
  Impact: Increased sightings and improved understanding of pygmy hippo ecology and threats.
  

The Broader Mission
These three projects—PHCP, Gola Rainforest Project, and Sapo National Park Initiative—represent the core of pygmy hippo conservation. Together, they combine scientific research, habitat protection, and community engagement to secure the survival of this rare and elusive species in West Africa’s remaining rainforests.