Pygmy hippopotamus  (Choeropsis liberiensis)

Species information

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Threats

Deforestation is the main threat facing the pygmy hippopotamus (2). Hunting is also known to occur, but the extent of this has not been determined (2). The subspecies C. l. heslopi in Nigeria may already be extinct (2).

Conservation

Direct conservation action is required to prevent precipitous declines and potential extinction (4). At present there is a good captive population, which has bred successfully in captivity and has doubled in size over the last 25 years (2). If the wild population becomes extinct, it should be possible to maintain the species in captivity, providing a last-ditch safeguard against total extinction (2).

To learn more about a Whitley Award-winning conservation project for this species, click here.
View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.
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