These little hippos are on the edge of extinction – just 2,000 are left in the wild!
Pygmy hippos are very elusive and solitary animals, which makes information about their distribution and ecology scarce.
Major threats:
Habitat loss and fragmentation and they are hunted for bushmeat.
Some Facts About Pygmy Hippos in the Wild
Habitat: Pygmy hippos live in dense forests, swamps, and near streams, hiding during the day and coming out at night to eat.
Social behavior: Pygmy hippos are solitary animals, but they may pair up with a potential mate after a long courtship ritual.
Diet: Pygmy hippos eat leaves, ferns, herbs, and fallen fruit.
Speed: Pygmy hippos can run up to 18.5 miles per hour.
Skin: Pygmy hippos have blackish skin that oozes a pink fluid called blood sweat, which acts as a natural sunscreen and makes them appear shiny or wet.
Role in the ecosystem: Pygmy hippos help the environment by dispersing seeds and recycling nutrients through their dung.
Are Pygmy Hippos Endangered?
Yes, they are currently listed as “Endangered” on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
Our Charity Partner: Fauna and Flora
"Small, shy, and secretive – the timid pygmy hippo prefers to flee rather than fight. But they cannot escape the enormous dangers imposed by humans day after day after day.
Pygmy hippos are officially recognized as endangered, and unless we act now, there is an imminent threat that we could soon lose them forever."
What We Do
"Fauna & Flora has been working tirelessly to help save the pygmy hippos’ last remaining strongholds. Teams working in Liberia have been using state-of-the-art eDNA surveys and camera traps to pinpoint where these secretive animals are found.
And – now we have found them – we can save them.
We need your support to train and equip dedicated community wardens, so they can carry out patrols to help protect this special species.
The dense forests of Liberia offer a massive challenge for carrying out this crucial work, putting immense strain on the rangers and their equipment."
