Choeropsis liberiensis liberiensis

(Morton, 1844)

Vernacular names
English : Pygmy hippopotamus
French : Hippopotame nain, Hippopotame pygmée

Classification
Class : Mammalia
Order : Cetartiodactyla
Family : Hippopotamidae
Notes : 1 other subspecies known (and now extinct).

Identification
Body length of 175 cm, shoulder height of 100 cm, weight of 275 kg. Smaller version of the hippopotamus with much smaller and rounder snout, less webbed toes. Coloration is dark grey-brown with dark red belly and throat.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in very few locations in western Africa, in Cote D’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The Nigerian subspecies is extinct. Lives in swamps and muddy rivers in primary or old secondary rainforests.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : ENDANGERED
CITES : Appendix I
Status : The species has a small range and is under heavy pressure from habitat loss because of mining and agricultural policies. Hunting is a big issue as well.
Ex-Situ Programs : SSP in America, EEP in Europe

Observation

 

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