Conservation Strategy for the Pygmy

Hippopotamus

Compiled by D. Mallon, C. Wightman, P. De Ornellas, B. Collen and C. Ransom.

© ZSL

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Conservation Strategy for the Pygmy Hippopotamus

Produced following the Pygmy Hippo Conservation Strategy Workshop, Monrovia, Liberia

22-24 November 2010

Workshop logo design courtesy of Shane M. Robinson, San Diego, California

Recommended citation: Mallon, D., Wightman, C., De Ornellas, P. and Ransom, C. (Compilers) 2011.

Conservation Strategy for the Pygmy Hippopotamus. IUCN Species Survival Commission. Gland,

Switzerland and Cambridge, UK.

The designation of geographical entities in this report do not imply the expression of any opinion on the part

of IUCN or SSC concerning the legal status of any country, territory or area, or concerning the delimitation of

frontiers or boundaries. The views expressed in this report do not necessarily reflect those of IUCN

Published by: IUCN SSC Pygmy Hippo sub-group to the Hippo Specialist group and the IUCN SSC

Species Conservation Planning sub-committee.

Copyright: ©IUCN Species Survival Commission 2011

Reproduction of this publication for educational, conservation and other non-commercial purposes is

authorised without prior written permission from the copyright holder provided the source is fully

acknowledged. Reproduction of this publication for sale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without

prior written permission of the copyright holder.

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Contents

1. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................. 5

2. BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY OF THE PYGMY HIPPO ............................................................................ 6

2.1 Taxonomy ................................................................................................................................ 6

2.2 Common names ...................................................................................................................... 6

2.3 Description .............................................................................................................................. 6

2.4 Biology and Ecology ................................................................................................................ 7

2.5 Habitat .................................................................................................................................... 8

3 DISTRIBUTION AND POPULATION .................................................................................................. 9

3.1 Distribution ............................................................................................................................. 9

3.1.1 Global distribution .......................................................................................................... 9

3.1.2 Mapping .......................................................................................................................... 9

3.1.3 Côte d'Ivoire (Map1) ..................................................................................................... 10

3.1.4 Guinea (Map2) .............................................................................................................. 10

3.1.5 Liberia (Map3) ............................................................................................................... 10

3.1.6 Sierra Leone (Map4) ...................................................................................................... 10

3.1.7 Nigeria (Map5) .............................................................................................................. 11

3.1.8 Distribution across national boundaries ....................................................................... 11

3.2 Population ............................................................................................................................. 17

3.2.1 Global population.......................................................................................................... 17

3.2.2 Côte d'Ivoire .................................................................................................................. 17

3.2.3 Guinea ........................................................................................................................... 18

3.2.4 Liberia ............................................................................................................................ 18

3.2.5 Sierra Leone .................................................................................................................. 18

4. Conservation action ..................................................................................................................... 19

4.1 IUCN Red List Classification ................................................................................................... 19

4.2 IUCN Species Survival Commission ....................................................................................... 19

4.3 CITES ...................................................................................................................................... 19

4.4 EDGE of Existence ................................................................................................................. 19

4.5 Legal protection .................................................................................................................... 19

4.6 Protected Areas .................................................................................................................... 19

4.7 Current research and conservation initiatives ...................................................................... 21

4.7.1 Landscape level initiatives ............................................................................................ 21

4.7.2 Transboundary initiatives ............................................................................................. 21

4.7.3 Côte d'Ivoire .................................................................................................................. 21

4.7.4 Guinea ........................................................................................................................... 21

4.7.5 Liberia ............................................................................................................................ 22

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4.7.6 Sierra Leone .................................................................................................................. 22

4.7.7 Captive Breeding ........................................................................................................... 22

5 THREATS ....................................................................................................................................... 24

5.1 Threat Assessment ................................................................................................................ 24

5.2 Habitat Loss and Fragmentation ........................................................................................... 24

5.3 Poaching ................................................................................................................................ 25

5.4 Human-Wildlife Conflict ........................................................................................................ 25

5.5 Inadequate Protected Area Network .................................................................................... 25

5.6 Climate Change ..................................................................................................................... 25

5.7 Civil Conflict........................................................................................................................... 25

5.8 Policy and Institutional Weakness ........................................................................................ 26

5.9 Gaps ...................................................................................................................................... 26

5.10 Lack of Regional Cooperation ........................................................................................... 26

6 PYGMY HIPPO CONSERVATION STRATEGY .................................................................................. 27

6.1 Vision ..................................................................................................................................... 27

6.2 Goal ....................................................................................................................................... 27

6.3 Objectives.............................................................................................................................. 27

6.4 Actions .................................................................................................................................. 28

7 IMPLEMENTATION ....................................................................................................................... 30

7.1 Finalizing the conservation strategy ..................................................................................... 30

7.2 Funding ................................................................................................................................. 30

7.3 National Action Plans (NAP) .................................................................................................. 30

7.3.1 National Action Plan format.......................................................................................... 30

7.3.2 Government Endorsement ........................................................................................... 30

7.3.3 NAP process .................................................................................................................. 30

8 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................ 31

9 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................. 31

Appendix 1. List of Participants and Contributors ................................................................................ 35

Appendix 2. Workshop Agenda ............................................................................................................ 37

Appendix 3. Workshop Resolution on Pygmy Hippo Conservation ...................................................... 38

Appendix 4. National Wildlife Legislation and Government Agencies Responsible for Pygmy hippo

Conservation ......................................................................................................................................... 39

Appendix 5. Pygmy Hippo Conservation Stakeholders ......................................................................... 40

Appendix 6. List of Acronyms ............................................................................................................... 42

Appendix 7. Pygmy Hippo Conservation Strategy– Logical Framework ............................................... 43

Appendix 8. National Action Plan template .......................................................................................... 48

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1. INTRODUCTION

The pygmy hippopotamus, or pygmy hippo, Choeropsis liberiensis is a species of high conservation

concern because it is classed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and has a restricted range in the Upper Guinea Forest of West Africa; this habitat has been severely reduced by wide-scale

deforestation and pygmy hippo populations are believed to be declining and increasingly

fragmented (Lewison and Oliver 2008).

To address this concern, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) held a meeting in April 2009,

attended by representatives of several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) involved in pygmy

hippo conservation, including Fauna and Flora International (FFI), Institute for Breeding of Rare and

Endangered African Mammals (IBREAM), IUCN, and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

(RSPB). One outcome of the meeting was the establishment of the Pygmy Hippo Sub-group of the

IUCN Species Survival Commission Pigs, Peccaries and Hippos Specialist Group. The first task of the sub-group was to organize and raise funds for a regional conservation strategy workshop. The aim of

the workshop was to bring together all stakeholders to review current knowledge, create a

collaborative network and develop a regional conservation strategy, that with government

endorsement, will guide conservation, education and research across the entire range of the pygmy

hippo. Global and regional conservation strategies of this type have proved very successful in

mobilizing funds and support.

The conservation strategy workshop took place in Monrovia, Liberia, from 22 to 24 November 2010.

It was attended by 33 participants, including representatives from all range states, government

agencies, and local and international NGOs working on pygmy hippo conservation. Several others

who did not attend the workshop also contributed to the strategy (Appendix 1).

The conservation strategy and the structure of the workshop followed the process developed by

IUCN to produce a long-term, range-wide framework for prioritised conservation action. The

workshop was facilitated by the IUCN/SSC Species Planning Sub-committee. The IUCN strategic

planning process is designed to be participatory and collaborative, with all stakeholders engaged in

the development of the plan, including government authorities, NGOs, scientists and local

© Christiana Wightman ZSL

Figure 1 Representatives from range states governments, NGOs, scientists and

local communities attended the Monrovia workshop

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community representatives. The workshop agenda is included in Appendix 2. The IUCN strategic

planning process is sufficiently flexible to deal with the wide ecological and geographical range of

species planning situations but three elements remain essential: a status review, threat analysis, and

a central core structure.

A thorough knowledge of the status and biology of a species is an essential prerequisite to the

development of a conservation strategy. A detailed status review, including digitised distribution

maps, was compiled by ZSL in preparation for the workshop (Wightman et al. in prep.). This

represents the most detailed and up-to date account of the status and biology of the pygmy hippo

produced to date and includes a full bibliography. Relevant information from the full status review

and the maps were assessed and updated during the workshop. A full evaluation of the major

threats to pygmy hippos and their habitat is also crucial in order to identify measures needed to

mitigate threats and improve the conservation status, so a full threat analysis formed an integral

stage in the workshop. The conservation strategy itself is designed to provide a long-term

framework for action, beginning with a long-term, idealized vision, followed by a more concrete goal, through a logical, hierarchical structure down to individual actions. This was developed in a

participatory way during the workshop through a series of plenary sessions and working group

discussions. It is envisaged that these actions will be developed in more detail and implemented

through National Action Plans. As a final step, workshop participants drafted a resolution on the

importance of pygmy hippopotamus conservation for transmission to regional heads of state

(Appendix 3).

2. BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY OF THE PYGMY HIPPO

2.1 Taxonomy Choeropsis liberiensis (Morton, 1849). Formerly included in the genus Hexaprotodon liberiensis

(Boisserie 2005). Two subspecies are recognized. The nominate subspecies occurs in Côte d’Ivoire,

Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The subspecies C. l. heslopi is known only from the Niger delta,Nigeria. Its identity, based on morphological features of the skull, was confirmed by Corbet (1969)

but validation of its status through DNA analysis would be useful.

2.2 Common names English: Pygmy hippopotamus, pygmy hippo

French: Hippopotame pygmée, hippo pygmée, hippopotame nain Spanish: Hipopótamo enano, hipopótamo pigmeo

German: Zwergflusspferd

2.3 Description The pygmy hippo is considerably smaller than the common hippo, weighing 180–270 kg and with a

shoulder height of 70-80 cm. It also has proportionately longer limbs and neck and a smaller head

(Eltringham 1999). It is less aquatic than the common hippo and has maintained some terrestrial

patterns of locomotion (Eltringham 1999, Boisserie 2005, Fisher et al. 2007). It has a forward sloping

body and only moderately webbed toes which are advantageous for moving through the dense

vegetation of swamps, forests and watersides (Robinson 1970).

Pygmy hippos have some aquatic adaptations such as strong muscular valves to the ears and nostrils

and are dependent on water for body cooling as they lack sebaceous glands or temperature-

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regulating sweat glands and their skin must remain moist as it cracks if exposed to sunlight for long

periods (Eltringham 1999, Oliver 1975, Boisserie 2005). The skin of the pygmy hippo secretes a

protective, clear, oily substance from the pores of the skin which allows the animals to remain in

water or in a dry atmosphere on land for extended periods and may have antiseptic properties and

act as a protection from sunburn (Eltringham 1999, Hashimoto et al. 2007).

2.4 Biology and Ecology Pygmy hippos are rarely seen because of their secretive habits and knowledge of their ecology is

limited. The most detailed field studies are those by Robinson (1970), Bülow (1988) and Hentschel

(1990). A general account of its biology is given by Eltringham (1999) and Robinson (1981b) compiled a detailed bibliography of the species.

Little is known about pygmy hippo ranging patterns, home range size or territoriality. In 1985-86,

five animals (4 females, 1 male) were radio-collared in Azagny National Park, Côte d’Ivoire, and

tracked for 3-6 months (Bülow 1988). This study found that female home ranges overlapped and

estimated that they covered 40-60 ha, while the home range of the male covered 150 ha. Bülow

(1988) also found that the male pygmy hippo covered a distance of 2 km per day, whereas the

longest recorded distance moved by a female was 900 m. This remains the only radio-collaring study

of pygmy hippos to date.

Pygmy hippos are solitary except when a female is accompanied by young or during the brief

association of a breeding pair (Robinson 1970, 1996, Robinson & Suter 1999). They are primarily, but

not exclusively, nocturnal. Radio-collaring evidence showed that in Azagny National Park they were

active mainly from late afternoon until midnight with peak activity between 16h00 and 23h00

(Bülow 1988). Recent camera trapping in Liberia and Sierra Leone has revealed that they may also be

active throughout the night and also during the day. They spend the day hidden in swamps, wallows

or hollows under the banks of streams (Robinson 1981a, Roth et al. 2004) or on drier ground within

swamps (Bülow 1988). Pygmy hippos follow well-defined trails or tunnel-like paths through the

forest and swamp vegetation, which they mark by spreading dung by vigorously wagging their tail while defecating (Johnston 1906, Robinson 1970, White 1986).

Pygmy hippos feed on terrestrial and semi-aquatic plants. In the wild, they are known to eat ferns,

tender roots, grasses, herbs, stems and leaves of young trees, vegetables and fallen fruit; they have

also been observed to eat sweet potato leaves, okra, pepper plants, cassava and the tender shoots

of young rice plants on plantations and farms at the forest edge (Robinson 1970, 1999, Bülow 1988,

Hentschel 1990). Pygmy hippos have been reported to feed for 5.8-6 hours per day, between mid-

afternoon and midnight (Robinson 1981a, Eltringham 1999) but camera trapping has shown they

may feed throughout the night. They may defoliate young trees by taking the base of the twig in its

mouth, then shaking its head while pulling the twig through the mouth and they have also been observed standing on their hind legs with their front legs against the stem to reach ferns growing

within Raphia palms (Bülow 1988). White (1986) recorded pygmy hippos taking fish from traps in

Sierra Leone.

Little is known about reproduction in the wild. Galat-Luong (1981) observed a new-born pygmy

hippo in Taï National Park over the course of a day. It remained in a pool for most of the time where

it was apparently ‘parked’ by the female who returned at intervals to feed it.

In general, the range of the pygmy hippo does not overlap with that of the common hippo but they

may once have been sympatric in a few places in Liberia (Schomburgk 1913) and northwest Sierra Leone (Teleki and Baldwin 1980, Grubb et al. 1998). Roth et al. (2004) reported that in Côte d'Ivoire

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along the Bandama River, almost as far north as the confluence of the Nzi, where they were still

found together with the common hippo in 1986.

The effects of natural predators on the pygmy hippo are unknown, but the principal carnivores

capable of attacking an adult animal of this size are the leopard Panthera pardus (Robinson 1970) and Nile crocodile Crocodylus niloticus. Hentschel (1990) obtained a photograph of a juvenile pygmy

hippo killed by a leopard and Roth et al. (2004) saw two animals that had been mauled. Young

animals are vulnerable to a wider range of predators, including African golden cat Caracal aurata

African civet Civettictis civetta (Eltringham 1999) and African rock python Python sebae.

2.5 Habitat Pygmy hippos mainly inhabit primary rain forest close to rivers, streams and Raphia palm tree

swamps (Robinson, 1970, Bülow 1988, Eltringham, 1999). Klop et al. (2008) found pygmy hippos in

floodplains dominated by tall herbaceous vegetation and patches of riverine forest. The habitat

characteristics which appear to be most important are the presence of small streams with

submerged trees, root hollows, swampy depressions, and the size and density of ground vegetation

(Roth et al. 2004).

Figure 2 Typical pygmy hippo habitat

© Phillip Robinson

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3 DISTRIBUTION AND POPULATION

3.1 Distribution

3.1.1 Global distribution

The nominate subspecies is endemic to the Upper Guinea Forest of Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia and

Sierra Leone. The second subspecies, C. l. heslopi, occurs in Nigeria some 1,800 km to the east, on

the other side of the Dahomey Gap. There have been no records of this subspecies since 1945.

The historic distribution of the pygmy hippo was more extensive than the distribution today (Fig. 1).

Populations have disappeared from many sites and become fragmented across the landscape. There

are confirmed recent records from several localities in each of the four range countries (see below)

and several former sites that have not been surveyed in the last 10 years may still harbour pygmy

hippo populations. Full details of the current distribution are therefore unknown.

3.1.2 Mapping

As part of the status review process, distribution maps for each range country were compiled and

digitised based on records from the published literature and reports. Information on pygmy hippos is

relatively scarce so pygmy hippo records were categorised as: 1) confirmed recent (post-2000); 2)

unconfirmed recent; 3) confirmed historic (before 2000), and 4) unconfirmed historic. Confirmed

records were defined as: a reliable direct observation or indirect signs of the presence of the animal such as footprints or spoor. Unconfirmed - a second hand report or the species being reported in an

area by local people, being sold as bushmeat or perhaps skeletal remains being found in a village.

Draft maps were reviewed, the locality data were supplemented and amended, and revised versions

produced during the workshop.

Figure 3 Distribution maps were reviewed as part of the status review process

© Christiana Wightman ZSL

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3.1.3 Côte d'Ivoire (Map1)

As part of a GTZ (Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit - German Technical Cooperation)

project between 1977 and 2004 detailed questionnaire and field surveys were carried out in

potential pygmy hippo range (Roth et al. 2004). These surveys recorded that pygmy hippos were

present in 33 sub-districts in the southwest and south-centre of the country and that their

distribution extended from the Cavally River on the border with Liberia, north to Tiapleu Forest

Reserve (Forêt Classée) at 7015’, and east to the estuary of the Agneby River at about 4018’ (Fig 2)

(Roth et al. 2004). Most of the forest cover in Côte d'Ivoire has been lost and remaining populations

are fragmented. By far the most important site for pygmy hippos is Taï National Park and its adjacent

zone of protection including N’Zo Faunal Reserve and other sites are unlikely to be significant for

their conservation (Roth et al. 2004). Pygmy hippos are currently present in Taï National Park, Goin Débé Classified Forest, Cavally Classified Forest on the border with Liberia and Azagny National Park

in the south-centre of the country. It is possible that pygmy hippos may remain in small numbers

within any fragments of suitable habitat across the historical distribution described in Roth et al.

(2004).

3.1.4 Guinea (Map2)

Fragmented pygmy hippo populations occur in the forest zone of the south-east (Fig 3). There are

post-2000 records from Ziama Biosphere Reserve, Diécké Forest Reserve, Mont Béro Reserve, and

also in Tinzou Community Reserve which is in the process of establishment. Four further areas of

possible occurrence in suitable habitat have been identified for survey. Pygmy hippos formerly

occurred in Déré Forest in the extreme south on the border with Liberia but this area has been

degraded and converted into farmland and a short survey by the NGO Sylvatrop in 2009 found no

evidence of pygmy hippo presence.

3.1.5 Liberia (Map3)

Pygmy hippos were presumably widely distributed in the past. The centre of the country has

undergone intensive human transformation from original forest to rubber plantations and

agriculture and consequently their current distribution is divided between the remaining forest

blocks in southeastern and northwestern Liberia (Fig. 4).

The centre of pygmy hippo distribution in the southeast lies in Sapo National Park (Collen et al. 2011). They have been recorded recently along the Duobe River to the north of Sapo across to the

Grebo National Forest on the border with Côte d'Ivoire, as well as along Kia Creek in Maryland/River

Gee counties and within the proposed Grand Kru-River Gee Protected Area. Pygmy hippos are still

likely to occur in other forests between the Cestos and Senkwehn rivers, where abundant signs of

their presence were found in 1998 (Robinson and Suter 1999). In the northwest, there are recent

records along the border with Sierra Leone in the Gola National Forest and in the Wonegizi National

Forest on the border with Guinea and the species is thought likely to occur in suitable habitat

between these two sites.

3.1.6 Sierra Leone (Map4)

Pygmy hippo populations survive in the Gola Forest region bordering Liberia, around the Loma

Mountains in the north of the country and along the Moa River almost 50km from Tolubu in the

north to Tossor in the south on islands, including Tiwai, and with unconfirmed reports as far south as

Mambo village only 20 km from the coast (Fig. 5). A recent report of pygmy hippos along the Seli

River close to Kafogo on the road to Kabala, an unprotected area, gives some hope that there may be other small populations elsewhere in the country. Populations reported from other forests in

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Sierra Leone in the late 1960s are now presumed to be extinct, leaving Gola Forest as the last main

refuge. Klop et al. (2008) recorded signs inside and outside the Gola reserves and said the Kwadi and

Makoi Rivers were likely to be the most important areas in Gola for pygmy hippos. Unconfirmed

reports exist of pygmy hippos within the Outamba-Kilimi National Park which retains other large

mammals such as elephants and the common hippo.

3.1.7 Nigeria (Map5)

The subspecies, C. l. heslopi, is known only from the Niger Delta east to the vicinity of the Cross

River. It is known from only five specimens and local reports (Fig. 6). Ritchie (1930) provided

measurements of two skulls obtained in 1928 and one animal was shot near Omoku (Heslop 1945).

The 1993 Action Plan suggested that H. l. heslopi may still occur in the Niger Delta, but the 1994 IUCN Red List regarded the subspecies as extinct. Blench (2007) mapped the available records and

said that it was likely to have disappeared from most areas in the 1960s, but anecdotal reports

continued into the early 1990s. There is no firm evidence of current presence in the Delta and it is

very unlikely any remain (J. Oates in litt. 2011), though a final effort to investigate may be

worthwhile. I It is surprising that its existence was so poorly known or documented. Lewison and

Oliver (2008) regarded the population as extinct.

3.1.8 Distribution across national boundaries

Rivers frequently delineate national borders in West Africa and the occurrence of pygmy hippos

within these river catchments highlights the need for transboundary cooperation. For example, the

Cavally River runs along the border between Liberia and Côte d'Ivoire; pygmy hippos occur in Grebo

National Forest on the Liberian side and also in the Cavally and Goin Débé Classified Forests on the

Ivorian side. The Gola Forest National Park of Sierra Leone and Gola National Forest in Liberia are

another important transboundary location. There are also confirmed occurrences of pygmy hippos

close to the Liberia-Guinea border on both sides.

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Map 1 Pygmy hippo distribution in Ivory Coast

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Map 2 Pygmy hippo distribution in Guinea

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Map 3 Pygmy hippo occurrences in Liberia

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Map 4 Pygmy hippo occurrences in Sierra Leone

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Map 5 Pygmy hippo occurrences in Nigeria

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3.2 Population

3.2.1 Global population

The 1993 IUCN Status Survey and Action Plan estimated the population at ‘a few thousand at most’

(Eltringham 1993). This estimate was cited as ‘2,000-3,000’ in the IUCN Red List assessment (Lewison & Oliver 2008) who said even that figure may be too high.

However, some much higher population estimates have been made for Côte d’Ivoire as part of the

GTZ project 1977–2004. These estimates were originally contained in internal GTZ reports (Hoppe-

Dominik 1999) or in university theses (Bülow 1988, Hentschel 1990) and have not been widely

publicised. The figures have now been reviewed and summarised by Roth et al. (2004).

Density estimates were calculated from track and dung counts made along fixed transects during a

long-term monitoring programme in Taï National Park. Hentschel (1990) estimated mean densities

of 3.6 individuals/km2 in primary forest, with a maximum of 7.6/km2 in one locality, and 2.9/km2 in secondary forest. On the basis of these figures, Roth et al. (2004) concluded that there may have

been 10,000 pygmy hippos in Taï National Park and 19,000 in Côte d’Ivoire during 1982-1986, but

that numbers in Taï had fallen to 5,000 1997. Densities in the east of Taï fell to 0.3/km2 in 1998 and

0.2/km2 in 2001 and in the west to 0.8/km2 in 1995 and 1.4/km2 in 1998; while the latest figures

showed densities in the best areas of 1.4-2.5/km2 (Hoppe-Dominik 1999, Roth et al. 2004).

It should be emphasised that extrapolating population density estimates from dung/pellet counts is

problematic and heavily dependent on expertise in detecting dung and on accurate estimates of

defecation and dung decay rates; as Roth et al. (2004) say “Generally this method only serves to

establish the presence and relative abundance of a species or to establish temporal fluctuations in

the same area.”

Bülow (1988) estimated a density of 2 individuals/km2 and a minimum population of 120 pygmy

hippos in 300 km2 in Azagny National Park, based on a combination of tracking and radio-collaring of

5 animals.

The present size of the global population is thus unknown, but it is widely considered to be declining

based on the evidence of habitat loss, reports of poaching and the reduced densities in Taï National

Park reported by Roth et al. (2004). In general, quantitative information is lacking, and many

population estimates are based on informed guesswork or an association of suitable habitat with the

possibility of species presence. Current monitoring projects, based on systematic camera trapping and occupancy modelling, are expected in time to improve the accuracy and rigour of population

estimates.

It seems clear that pygmy hippos were once more abundant and have declined to an unknown

extent. Roth et al. (2004) cited nine killed in an area of 6 km2 and 23 captured by an animal dealer

along one stretch of the Sassandra River in 1963 as further evidence of locally high former densities.

3.2.2 Côte d'Ivoire

The estimates made during the GTZ project were cited above. Roth et al. (2004) also estimated that

Taï National Park had fewer than 12,000 in 1982 and only 5,000 in 1997. The current Office Ivoirien

des Parcs et Réserves estimate for Taï National Park reported at the workshop is around 2,000.

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3.2.3 Guinea

In 1994, populations in Ziama and Diécké forests were estimated at 32–96 and 18–54 individuals,

respectively (Butzler 1999). There are no reliable estimates of the current population size.

3.2.4 Liberia

Numbers reported in the past were ‘at least 1,000’ (Verschuren 1982) and ‘in the order of several

thousand in 1983’ (A.L. Peal, cited in Eltringham 1993). There is some site level information but not yet enough to enable a realistic population estimate for the whole country. A monitoring

programme based on transects and systematic camera trapping was initiated in Sapo National Park

in 2007.

3.2.5 Sierra Leone

A 1979 livestock survey report concluded that ‘there are probably a hundred or so’ in the country

(Teleki and Baldwin 1980). The estimate from the 2010 workshop was roughly 150 individuals in the

Gola Forest and the Moa river islands, including Tiwai.

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4. Conservation action

4.1 IUCN Red List classification The pygmy hippo is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, under criterion C1, based on a

population size of fewer than 2,500 mature individuals and a continuing decline estimated to reach

20% over the next 20 years (Lewison & Oliver 2008).

4.2 IUCN Species Survival Commission Pygmy hippos fall within the responsibility of the IUCN/SSC Pigs, Peccaries and Hippos Specialist

Group. A Pygmy Hippo Sub-group was formed in June 2009 to reflect the importance of the species

and the need for coordinated conservation action. The IUCN Pigs, Peccaries and Hippos Action Plan

(Oliver 1993) contained a chapter on pygmy hippo including an action plan (Eltringham 1993).

4.3 CITES Pygmy hippo is listed on Appendix II of CITES (as Hexaprotodon liberiensis) which provides partial

controls on international trade.

4.4 EDGE of Existence ZSL’s Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) programme prioritises species that are

both evolutionarily distinct and highly threatened for proactive conservation action. The pygmy

hippo was ranked 21st highest mammal priority and has been selected as one of the 10 priority EDGE

mammal species.

4.5 Legal protection Pygmy hippos have full legal protection in all range states under the 1968 African Convention on the

conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. The species is also legally protected in all range

states (national legislation and relevant government agencies are detailed in Appendix 4).

4.6 Protected areas Most recent confirmed records of pygmy hippos are in protected areas (PAs). Effectively managed

PAs are key to pygmy hippo persistence and the importance of PAs will increase if deforestation in West Africa continues. The largest PA containing pygmy hippo populations is Taï National Park and

its Zone of Protection in Côte d’Ivoire. Other large and important sites are Sapo National Park in

Liberia, the Gola Forest Reserves cluster (Gola North, Gola East and Gola West) in Sierra Leone, and

Ziama Biosphere Reserve in Guinea (full list in Table 1).

Management effectiveness varies widely. Some sites are well-managed, others are not, and

problems of agricultural encroachment, illegal mining and poaching in PAs are widespread.

However, in one recent positive development, several thousand miners were evicted from Sapo

National Park in October 2010 (FDA pers. comm.).

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Table 1. Protected areas containing pygmy hippo populations

Site Area (km2) IUCN

Category1

Pygmy hippo status

Côte d’Ivoire Taï National Park 4570 II Confirmed recent

N’Zo Faunal Reserve 950 IV Confirmed recent

Azagny National Park 190 IV Confirmed recent

Cavally Classified Forest 671 ? Confirmed recent

Goin Débé Classified Forest 1371 ? Confirmed recent

Tiapleu Classified Forest 280? IV Possible

Guinea Diécké Reserve 640 IV Confirmed recent

Mont Béro Reserve 356 ? Confirmed recent

Tinzou Community Reserve 56 ? Confirmed recent

Ziama Biosphere Reserve 1162 ? Confirmed recent

Déré Forest Reserve ? ? Historic

Liberia Sapo National Park 1800 II Confirmed recent

Grebo National Forest 2603 III Confirmed recent Gola National Forest 980 IV Confirmed recent

Grand Kru-River Gee Proposed

Protected Area ? ? Confirmed Recent

Wonegizi Proposed Protected area 428 ? Confirmed recent

Sierra Leone Gola Rainforest National Park 750 ? Confirmed recent

Loma Mountains Non-hunting Forest

Reserve 333 II? Confirmed recent

Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary 12 ? Confirmed recent Kambui Hills South Forest Reserve ? ? Possible

Outamba-Kilimi National Park 808 II Possible 1 IUCN Protected Area Management Categories (IUCN 2011)

Category Ia: Strict Nature Reserve: protected area managed mainly for science

Category Ib: Wilderness Area: protected area managed mainly for wilderness protection

Category II: National Park: protected area managed mainly for ecosystem protection and recreation

Category III: Natural Monument: protected area managed mainly for conservation of specific natural

features

Category IV: Habitat/Species Management Area: protected area managed mainly for conservation

through management

Category V: Protected Landscape/Seascape: protected area managed mainly for landscape/seascape

conservation and recreation

Category VI: Managed Resource Protected Area: protected area managed mainly for the sustainable use

of natural ecosystems

21

4.7 Current research and conservation initiatives

4.7.1 Landscape level initiatives

The Upper Guinea Forest is an area of high biodiversity significance with high levels of mammal and

bird endemism. It is a major part of the Guinea Forest global hotspot (Bakarr et al. 1999) and one of

WWF’s Global 200 Ecoregions (Guinean Moist Forests; Olson & Dinerstein 1998). It is also recognized

as an Endemic Bird Area by BirdLife International. Conservation International ‘s West Africa Program

has taken a lead on strategic initiatives for the hotspot and the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund

(CEPF) has funded numerous landscape-scale projects including forest assessments, GAP analysis,

and corridor assessments (www.cepf.net). Another project with potential relevance to pygmy hippo

conservation was a detailed assessment of the Taï-Sapo corridor (Refisch et al. 2009).

4.7.2 Transboundary initiatives

The distribution maps in section 3.1 show the occurrence of pygmy hippos close to international

borders in several places, underlining the need for transboundary conservation measures. The

“Across the River – A Transboundary Peace Park for Sierra Leone and Liberia” project (ARTP) aims at

establishing an effective management framework for cross-border corridor forests, consisting of

approximately 50,000 ha of unprotected community forests that link the Gola Forest Reserves in

Sierra Leone and the Gola National Forest in western Liberia. The Outamba-Madina ULA transboundary project between Sierra Leone and Guinea may also contribute to pygmy hippo

conservation and the Mount Nimba complex on the Liberia-Guinea-Côte d'Ivoire border is another

area with potential for cooperation.

4.7.3 Côte d'Ivoire

The Taï Hippo Project began in 2009. It is supported by Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS),

the Swiss Center for Scientific Research (CSRS) and IBREAM and works in cooperation with the

University of Cocody-Abidjan. The aims are: to collect information on the distribution of the species

throughout the National Park and monitor its population, and to use the information to define a

conservation management plan. Initial studies include the establishment of camera trapping,

footprint analysis, and dung analysis. The project has also created an awareness raising campaign, to

help educate people about conservation and forest animals, especially the pygmy hippo. An

education programme has begun in primary schools around the park and includes a documentary on

wild pygmy hippos. Preliminary work to determine the optimal method for sample collection for

genetic studies has also begun.

4.7.4 Guinea

N’Zérékoré Forestry Centre is responsible for management of most protected areas in the forest

zone and is thus actively involved in efforts to conserve pygmy hippos in Guinea. The NGO Sylvatrop

has developed a long-term pygmy hippo project in collaboration with the N’Zérékoré Forestry Centre. The project goals are: 1) Determine the conservation status of the pygmy hippo and collect

ecological data required for its long term conservation. 2) Make a significant contribution to the

development of local conservation capacities by training personnel from relevant government

agencies and civil society. 3) Initiate a long term conservation and sustainable management

programme for the pygmy hippo in Guinea. The project will start in April 2011.

22

4.7.5 Liberia

A bio-monitoring programme at Sapo NP was initiated in 2001 by Fauna and Flora International and

the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) and re-established in 2007 along 16 transects. Recent

data on pygmy hippos are reported in Vogt (2011). This programme will be extended to new areas

in 2011. FFI initiated a complementary project in 2010 to use pygmy hippo conservation as a

mechanism to build conservation capacity in Liberia. The main activities will be aligned with the

conservation strategy and standardized practices in pygmy hippo conservation but will include an

analysis of the impact of threats on pygmy hippo populations.

In early 2008, ZSL began collaboration with FFI and the FDA to develop a standardised monitoring

programme for the pygmy hippo, initially in Sapo National Park. This project has three principal aims:

1) a camera trap monitoring programme - using a grid of cameras and repeated surveys to develop an index of change in abundance over time for this and other species in the park (O’Brien et al. 2010,

Collen et al. 2011);. 2) develop training and support for Liberian scientists. 3) test a monitoring

scheme to expand into further areas.

The “Across the River – A Transboundary Peace Park for Sierra Leone and Liberia” project (ARTP)

conducts pygmy hippo surveys in Gola National Forest.

4.7.6 Sierra Leone

The Gola Forest Programme was established in 1990 and restarted activities after the war in 2002. It

is a collaborative project between the Sierra Leone Conservation Society, the National

Commission on the Environment and Forestry, and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

Since 2008, detailed surveys focusing on pygmy hippo have been carried out in the reserve and

adjacent community areas.

The Across the River Project’s research unit (under the responsibility of the RSPB) is involved in

pygmy hippo conservation. Pygmy hippos are included as a key landscape species in the programme that aims at monitoring the distribution, abundance, threats and migratory patterns in the Liberian

Gola National Forest and the Sierra Leonean community forests in the corridor area (in collaboration

with University of Georgia). Since July 2010 questionnaires have been used to monitor pygmy hippo

conservation status and threats, collect basic ecological data, and survey for new populations. RSPB

is also conducting predictive range mapping studies on pygmy hippos to identify priorities areas for

future research and conservation.

The University of Georgia Pygmy Hippo Project began in October 2008 on Tiwai Island, in the Moa

River. The project is carrying out field studies and conservation education work in local villages.

Camera traps have captured over 100 photos of pygmy hippos. The main objectives are to: 1) assess pygmy hippo populations using camera trapping and radio telemetry to track daily movements,

estimate home range size, and determine habitat use, 2) explore suitable habitat including wildlife

corridors between Gola Forest, Tiwai Island, and the Kambui Hills Reserve, 3) expand environmental

education and awareness in local communities, and 4) create a long-term partnership among all

stakeholders involved in pygmy hippo conservation.

In 2010, ZSL and Njala University initiated a pygmy hippo research and conservation project around

Loma Mountain and intend to expend this to other sites in the country to obtain information of

distribution, abundance and threats.

4.7.7 Captive breeding

The pygmy hippo international studbook is kept at Zoo Basel, Switzerland. On 31.12.2009 there were

23

332 (133 males, 196 females and 3 individuals of unknown sex) pygmy hippos in 134 public zoos and

private collections. A few pygmy hippos may be kept in private or other collections that do not

submit information to the studbook. The current captive population is descended from 61 wild-

caught founder animals, which are very unequally represented in collections. The last wild-caught

individual with a known import date was imported on 22 September 1982. The current captive population shows a skewed sex ratio (40% males, 59% females, 1% unknown) and a relative lack of

young animals. In addition, infant mortality in both sexes is high at 32.5%.

IBREAM and the University of Vienna are working with fifteen zoos in Europe to study the

reproductive biology of female pygmy hippos. The knowledge gained will aid successful captive

breeding. In future it is hoped that this research, in combination with knowledge on nutrition and

husbandry, will inform guidelines on manipulation of the sex of the offspring. IBREAM is also

developing a programme with partner zoos to freeze and store gametes from individual pygmy

hippos to preserve their genetic diversity.

A health and reproduction screening programme has been developed jointly by The Leibnitz Institute

for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Berlin and ZSL, using ultrasound to predict the estrous cycle and

to detect polycystic kidney disease, which is of great concern for ex-situ conservation efforts.

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) and University of Chester (in UK) are developing

single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genetic markers to clarify the taxonomy of pygmy hippos,

assess the genetic diversity, calculate inbreeding coefficients and clarify the population structure.

A team at Bristol Zoo Gardens is studying energy intake and metabolic rates in pygmy hippos to

provide guidance on optimization of diets.

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5 THREATS

5.1 Threat assessment Threats to pygmy hippos were initially identified as part of the status review. At the workshop, these

threats were first discussed in a plenary session and then a more focused threat assessment was

carried out. This involved workshop participants working in four groups by range country to identify

direct and indirect threats to the pygmy hippo, gaps in knowledge and resources and other factors

hindering conservation efforts. Threats were prioritized on a scale of 1-4: low, medium, high, and

critical. Each threat identified was written on a card together with the priority score. The cards were

then displayed, discussed and reviewed by all participants, and similar threats grouped into categories. Nine threat categories were identified. These are listed below with additional detail. Only

those scoring high or critical were prioritized and these are listed below.

There was overall agreement that at a region-wide and national scale the two most important direct

threats to pygmy hippos were loss and fragmentation of habitat and poaching. Other threats

included: an inadequate protected area network, institutional weakness, human-wildlife conflict and

climate change. Major gaps in pygmy hippo conservation were lack of human, financial and technical

resources, lack of awareness, lack of knowledge of pygmy hippo ecology and status, and insufficient

regional cooperation. In addition, human factors such as population growth, expansion of

settlements and poverty were recognized as significant underlying drivers of direct threats but their scope lay beyond the remit of a conservation strategy for a single species.

5.2 Habitat loss and fragmentation Deforestation represents the main threat to the quality, extent and continuity of habitat in pygmy

hippo range. It has been estimated that roughly 10 million ha of forest in West Africa may have been lost in the 20th century and around 80% of the original forest area is now an agriculture-forest

mosaic (Norris et al. 2010). The remaining forest blocks are fragmented, leaving pygmy hippo

populations isolated, with demographic consequences and the increased susceptibility of small

populations to local extinction. Fragmentation has made the forests more accessible for hunters and

there is now very little, if any, undisturbed forest in the region safe for wildlife causing the pygmy

hippo to retreat into the diminishing fragmented parcels of forest (Lewison and Oliver 2008).

Two hundred years ago, roughly 65% of Sierra Leone was covered with moist closed forest; it now

covers less than 4%. In Côte d’Ivoire, less than 10% of the original forest remained at the end of the 20th century (East 1999). In Guinea, Ziama and Diécké represent the last two large blocks of closed

canopy forest and most classified forests are severely degraded (Brugière and Kormos 2009). In

comparison, Liberia’s deforestation rates have been relatively low; from 1986 to 2000 the average

deforestation rate was 0.2% per year but this has increased in the last 10 years and is likely to

continue to increase as security has returned to the country and most of the remaining forest is

readily accessible (Christie et al. 2007).

The main causes of deforestation are traditional slash-and-burn cultivation, agricultural expansion by

smallholders, commercial logging, and commercial plantations of rubber, coffee, cocoa and oil palm

(Christie et al. 2007, Norris et al. 2010). Draining swamps to create rice fields also destroys pygmy hippo habitat. Conversion of forest to agriculture is expected to increase along with the growing

human population.

Mining of iron ore, diamonds and many other mineral resources is widespread in the region. This

results in more forest clearance, pollution and increased sedimentation of water courses. A further

negative effect is the potential reliance of miners and their families on bushmeat. Road construction

for mining and logging operations also opens up new areas to hunters.

25

5.3 Poaching Bushmeat is an important source of protein and a significant part of local economies across West

Africa. Pygmy hippos are poached predominantly for their meat and unlike the common hippo, their

teeth have little trade value, but many of their body parts, including the skull, may be used in rituals

or folk medicine (Robinson 1970, Hentschel 1990). The pygmy hippo’s cryptic nature provides a

degree of protection against hunting (Robinson 1971) and in most areas, pygmy hippos are unlikely to be the main target of subsistence hunting but are killed opportunistically, while some

communities avoid hunting them altogether. In Côte d’Ivoire, pygmy hippo meat was confiscated in

only five out of 632 official poaching reports from 1975 to 1983 in the southwestern districts, but

this species has since come under heavy poaching pressure in the eastern part of the Taï National

Park and the N’Zo Protection Zone (Hoppe-Dominik 1999, Roth et al. 2004).

In some areas, commercial poachers target the species, along with other large mammals such as

elephant, forest buffalo and chimpanzee. A study of the bushmeat market in Lola, Guinea, showed

that the species was poached for commercial purposes (Dufour 2002). Another study south of Sapo

National Park, Liberia, found that a single commercial poaching camp had obtained 4 pygmy hippos in one month (Greengrass in prep.). Pygmy hippos have full legal protection in all range countries,

but lack of enforcement of existing laws is a chronic problem.

5.4 Human-wildlife conflict Although seldom reported as an agricultural nuisance, some cases of damage by pygmy hippos to rice and cassava fields have been reported (Roth et al. 2004). This is so far only a local problem but

the potential for conflict is likely to increase, as swamps are converted to rice fields, riparian forests

are cleared and crops are planted closer to the forest edge. There is a possibility that damage caused

by other species such as red river hog Potamochoerus porcus may be blamed on pygmy hippos.

Localised conflicts with fishermen (e.g. through damage to nets) in Sierra Leone were reported

during the workshop.

5.5 Inadequate protected area network Most, but not all the known pygmy hippo populations occur within sites that have some form of

protection. These range in status from full PAs to national forests or classified forests that are not

primarily designed to protect wildlife. Many PAs in which pygmy hippos occur do not have effective

protection and a comprehensive programme to increase management effectiveness, build capacity,

train staff and increase resources, equipment and staffing levels is needed across the region.

5.6 Climate change It was agreed that global climate change potentially represents a threat to pygmy hippos. However,

at present there is an absence of detailed, quantitative data on regional impacts and how these may

affect pygmy hippos, making it difficult to identify or to prioritize actions.

5.7 Civil conflict Civil conflicts in West Africa over the past 20 years have had negative impacts on biodiversity, halting

conservation projects and reducing protection of reserves and national parks. Lewison & Oliver (2008) considered that the effects of national and international conflicts in the region would have an

overall negative effect on the pygmy hippo and Lindsell et al. (2011) detailed the adverse effects of

civil conflict on the biodiversity of Gola Forest in Sierra Leone.

26

5.8 Policy and institutional weakness A series of higher-level issues relating to policy and institutions were identified. The principal factor

was the relatively low position of biodiversity conservation in government priorities, with

development focused on agriculture, commercial forestry and plantations and mining. Legislative

frameworks are in theory adequate but laws and penalties are often outdated , and lack of respect

for the law, weak enforcement and corruption are widespread. The absence of a range-wide Action Plan for pygmy hippos until now was also considered to have hindered conservation efforts.

5.9 Gaps Many gaps affecting the conservation of pygmy hippos were identified and grouped into three

categories: capacity, education and awareness, and baseline data.

The shortage of staff, low levels of training, and lack of financial and technical resources among

management agencies has a serious negative effect on conservation of pygmy hippos and other

biodiversity across the region.

There is low awareness of the protected status and conservation importance of pygmy hippos

among administrations, hunters, and the wider public, and biodiversity is absent from the education

system.

Many aspects of the biology and ecology are unknown. There are still no accurate estimates of pygmy hippo population size either globally or nationally, and the current rate of decline is unclear.

There are no standardized methods for survey and monitoring across the range, but current camera

trapping and other field projects are making, or are expected to make, progress on this issue.

5.10 Lack of regional cooperation Lack of regional collaboration and information sharing and an absence of communication between

government administrations and communities were seen as hindering progress on biodiversity

conservation. There was optimism that the workshop and the pygmy hippo conservation strategy

would help to address this issue.

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6 PYGMY HIPPO CONSERVATION STRATEGY

6.1 Vision The first stage in the conservation strategy process was to develop a guiding Vision for the pygmy

hippo. Following consideration of Visions from other species strategies and a discussion, drafts were

developed initially by four working groups. Drafts were presented and discussed, the common

elements were combined and a final version agreed by all participants. Participants agreed that the

Vision should apply in perpetuity, that is, without a specified time frame. The final version:

A world where viable populations of pygmy hippos thrive throughout their range in healthy

ecosystems, acting as a flagship species for the Upper Guinea Forest, coexisting in harmony with

human populations, retaining cultural importance, for the benefit of present and future

generations.

6.2 Goal The Goal represents a more immediate, concrete and achievable step that supports and contributes

to the Vision. The Goal was developed in a manner similar to that for the Vision, initially in four

groups. Drafts were reviewed and a composite final version agreed. The Goal was given a 10-20 year

time scale and it contained three elements:

To assess the current status of the pygmy hippo across its range, and ensure the effective

protection of, and connectivity between, known populations.

6.3 Objectives The Objectives are the set of measures needed to achieve the Goal and they should be developed in

response to the main threats to pygmy hippos identified in the threat analysis. Three working groups

each discussed one of the three elements of the Goal (assess current status, protect populations, connect populations) and developed the necessary objectives. The draft Objectives were presented

then discussed and refined by all participants collectively.

Objective 1. Known populations are effectively protected

Objective 2. Status in each range state assessed

Objective 3. Key corridors identified and managed

Objective 4. Poaching pressure on pygmy hippos reduced

Objective 5. Causes of habitat loss mitigated

Objective 6. The regional Protected Area Network is fully effective to meet the needs of pygmy

hippo conservation Objective 7. Pygmy hippos are recognized as a flagship species for the Upper Guinea Forest

ecosystem and an indicator of its health

Objective 8. Mechanisms for regional cooperation on all aspects of pygmy hippo conservation

established

Objective 9. National pygmy hippo action plans produced and endorsed in all range states

Objective 10. The ex-situ population within coordinated breeding programmes is managed to

maximise genetic diversity

Objective 11. The conservation strategy is coordinated and resourced

28

6.4 Actions Three working groups then developed sets of actions needed to deliver each Objective, together

with time frame and measures. The actions agreed are as follows. The full conservation strategy is

presented in a matrix format in Appendix 6.

Objective 1. Known populations are effectively protected Action 1.1 Carry out a threat analysis of each site containing pygmy hippos

Action 1.2 Develop a mitigation plan for each site

Action 1.3 Identify relevant implementing authorities

Action 1.4 Facilitate threat mitigation

Objective 2. Status in each range state assessed

Action 2.1 Identify and prioritize key sites for survey

Action 2.2 Develop standardized field techniques for survey and monitoring

Action 2.3 Build adequate capacity to conduct surveys and monitoring

Action 2.4 Establish long-term monitoring programmes in key sites Action 2.5 Investigate feasibility of fecal DNA analysis to understand population structure,

connectivity and guide population estimates

Action 2.6 Investigate range wide population structures, dispersal and interconnectivity using

genetic analysis

Action 2.7 Clarify the relationship of the Nigerian subspecies through DNA analysis of museum

material

Action 2.8 Investigate recent or current presence in the Nigerian range through a questionnaire

survey

Objective 3. Key corridors identified and managed Action 3.1 Identify potential corridors between known populations through satellite imagery and

ground truthing

Action 3.2 Recommend official recognition and legal status of corridors

Action 3.3 Engage key groups (e.g. communities, media, decision-makers, private sector) in corridor

management

Action 3.4 Develop corridor management plans

Action 3.5 Implement corridor management plans

Objective 4. Poaching pressure on pygmy hippos reduced

Action 4.1 Intensify law enforcement activities against poaching in all key sites Action 4.2 Educate hunters in the conservation importance of pygmy hippos

Action 4.3 Train law enforcement officers at every level

Action 4.4 Support alternative protein source programs where appropriate

Action 4.5 Reinforce cultural aspects of conservation

Action 4.6 Educate consumers, traders and transporters in importance of pygmy hippos

Objective 5. Causes of habitat loss are mitigated

Action 5.1 Engage mining, timber, and agribusiness companies in pygmy hippo conservation

Action 5.2 Promote sustainable land use management and agricultural practices

Action 5.3 Promote alternative livelihood programmes in communities adjacent to pygmy hippo populations

Objective 6. The regional Protected Area Network (PAN) is fully effective to meet the needs of

pygmy hippo conservation

Action 6.1 Review protected area legislation and recommend revisions where needed

29

Action 6.2 Demarcate boundaries of current protected areas

Action 6.3 Carry out a GAP analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of the current PAN

Action 6.4 Identify key sites for protected area status

Action 6.5 Train one biomonitoring team in each protected area

Action 6.6 Ensure effective operations and law enforcement in all protected areas

Objective 7. Pygmy hippo is recognized as a flagship species for the Upper Guinea Forest ecosystem

and an indicator of its health

Action 7.1 Raise awareness of the conservation significance of pygmy hippos among communities,

authorities, media, decision-makers locally, nationally and regionally

Action 7.2 Raise awareness of the conservation significance of pygmy hippos internationally

Action 7.3 Develop range-wide environmental education material for communities and schools

Action 7.4 Integrate environmental education into the school curriculum in all range states

Objective 8. Mechanisms for regional and international cooperation on all aspects of pygmy hippo conservation established within 3 years

Action 8.1 Integrate pygmy hippo conservation within the framework of the Mano River Union

Action 8.2 Develop protocols for data sharing within the region

Action 8.3 Maximize opportunities for regional cooperation including transfrontier initiatives

Objective 9. National pygmy hippo action plans produced and endorsed in all range states

Action 9.1 Identify focal person or agency in each range state to lead the national action planning

process

Action 9.2 Organise stakeholder meeting(s) in each range state

Action 9.3 Draft, review, and finalise national action plans for pygmy hippo in each range state Action 9.4 Secure government endorsement for each national action plan

Objective 10. The ex-situ population within coordinated breeding programmes is managed to

maximise genetic diversity

Action 10.1 Update the pygmy hippo studbook on a regular basis

Action 10.2 Continue research into reproductive biology of pygmy hippos, the biased sex ratio in the

captive population and polycystic kidney disease

Action 10.3 Establish a pygmy hippo gene bank for the wild and captive populations

Action 10.4 Continue to develop genetic markers and the full programme of genetic studies

Action 10.5 Distribute research results regularly to all stakeholders

Objective 11. The conservation strategy is coordinated and resourced

Action 11.1 Create a pygmy hippo conservation website

Action 11.2 Secure adequate financial and human resources to implement the strategy

30

7 IMPLEMENTATION

7.1 Finalizing the conservation strategy Following the meeting, the pygmy hippo conservation strategy document was compiled by IUCN and

translated into French. The draft was circulated to participants for comment then finalized. The final

version will be sent to the four range state governments with a request for endorsement. The

strategy will also be submitted to IUCN Species Survival Commission for formal endorsement.

7.2 Funding Implementing the plan will require substantial financial support. This may be provided by national

governments, multilateral donors or NGOs. Production of a range-wide species conservation

strategy may catalyze action and attract funding from international donors who frequently prefer to

support projects and activities which fall within the structured framework of a prioritized, range-wide plan.

7.3 National Action Plans (NAP) Some regional and landscape-level activities are likely to be important for pygmy hippos but most implementation will take place at national level. The national action planning process is therefore an

important stage in the whole conservation strategy process and national action plans provide an

important mechanism towards national implementation. The IUCN/SSC Species Planning Sub-

committee, Pygmy Hippo Sub-group and several NGOs are available to advise or assist with this

process.

7.3.1 National Action Plan format

Range countries are free to develop their NAP in any appropriate format and layout. However, it will

aid clarity and coordination if NAPs adopt a similar format to the range-wide conservation strategy,

but with each topic developed in more detail as relevant to the individual country. A suggested NAP

format is included in Appendix 8.

7.3.2 Government Endorsement

Once agreed, the NAP should be submitted to the appropriate government department for official

endorsement.

7.3.3 NAP process

The principal steps in the process are:

• Identify stakeholders (government agencies, protected area staff, INGO, NGO, local

community representatives, commercial interests)

• Compile status summary and background information

• Organize and hold a national workshop

• Draft National Action Plan

• Seek comments from all stakeholders

• Finalise the NAP and seek government endorsement

31

8 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We are grateful to the Forestry Development Authority in Liberia and the Zoological Society of

London for hosting the workshop; to Alex Peal, Fauna and Flora International and Making Enterprises for assisting with arrangements for the workshop; to Dr David Mallon for facilitating the

workshop and drafting the strategy document; to Attica Zoo in Greece, the Ecosystem Grants

Programme of the IUCN National Committee of the Netherlands, the IUCN Save our Species (SOS)

Programme, the Mohammed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, the SeaWorld and Busch

Gardens Conservation Fund, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Zoological Society of

London for generously funding the event; to Dr Phillip Robinson for his invaluable assistance in

preparing the status review; to all those who provided location data; and to all the participants at

the workshop for contributing their time and expertise to the development of this strategy. Tim

Bouts, Ben Collen, April Conway, Abdoulaye Diarrassouba, Sylvain Dufour, Robert Hermes, Annika

Hillers, Chloe Hodgkinson, René Kabran, Inza Kone, Rebecca Lewison, John Oates, Karim Ouattara, Dje Francois N’goran, Monique Paris, Alex Peal, Phillip Robinson, F. Schwarzenburger, Beatrice Steck,

Martina Vogt, all made helpful comments on the first draft of the strategy.

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35

Appendix 1. List of participants and contributors

Name Address Email

Ibrahim Bakarr Department of Wildlife Management, School of Forestry &

Horticulture, Njala University, Sierra Leone iabakarr@yahoo.com

Moses Beah Forestry Development Authority, PO Box 10-3010,

Monrovia, Liberia

mbeah89@yahoo.com

Dickson Chowolo

Forest Cry Liberia Inc, PO Box 3493, Monrovia forestcryliberia04@yahoo.com

Ben Collen Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's

Park, London NW1 4RY

ben.collen@ioz.ac.uk

Saidou Condé Conservateur, Parc National du Haut Niger, Conakry,

République de Guinée

condesaidou@yahoo.fr

Cécé Papa Condé Directeur Général, Centre Forestier Nzérékoré, République

de Guinée

cecepapaconde@yahoo.fr

John Conteh Conservation and Wildlife Management Unit, Forestry

Division, MAFFS, Sierra Leone

April Conway

930 Wren Court Conyers GA 30012 USA redmaypril@gmail.com

Abdoulaye

Diarrassouba

Office Ivoirien des Parcs et Réserves, Parc National de Taï diarrassouba@gmx.net

Paul De Ornellas West and North Africa Conservation Programme,

Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1

4RY

paul.deornellas@zls.org

Sylvain Dufour SYLVATROP, 26 Rue de Vannes, hh100, Nantes

sylvaduf@yahoo.fr

Joel Gamys

Conservation Manager, CI, Liberia

j.gamys@conservation.org

Kate Garnett Assistant Director, Conservation and Wildlife

Management Unit, Forestry Division, Sierra Leone

majelarnett@yahoo.co.uk

Tommy Garnett Environmental Foundation for Africa, 1 Beach road, Lakka,

Freetown, Sierra Leone

tommy.garnett@gmail.com

Edward Gbeintor Forestry Development Authority, PO Box 10-3010,

Monrovia, Liberia

edwardg57@hotmail.com

Annika Hillers Across the River Project, 38 Maxwell Khobe Street,

Kenema, Sierra Leone

Annika.Hillers@rspb.org.uk

Chloe Hodgkinson

FFI, Jupiter House, Station Rd, Cambridge CB1 2JD, UK chloe.hodgkinson@fauna-flora.org

Jonathan Johnny School of Forestry & Horticulture, Njala University, Sierra

Leone

jojanj123@yahoo.com

René Kabran Ministère de l'Environnement, des Eaux et Forêts /

Direction de la Faune et des Ressources Cynégétiques,

Côte d'Ivoire

renekabran@yahoo.fr

Henry Kolié Conservateur de Tinzou, Conakry, République de Guinée namory54@yahoo.fr

Inza Koné Centre Suisse des Recherches Scientifiques 01 BP 1303

Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

inza.kone@csrs.ci

David Mallon

IUCN/SSC Species Conservation Planning Sub-committee

d.mallon@zoo.co.uk

Mohamed

Mansaray

Conservation and Wildlife Management Unit, Forestry

Division, MAFFS, Sierra Leone mansaray.wildlife@yahoo.co.uk

Andrew Muana Across the River Project, 38 Maxwell Khobe street,

Kenema, Sierra Leone

muanandrew@yahoo.com

Dje Francois

N'goran

Office Ivoirien des Parcs et Réserves, Côte d’Ivoire

mdjengoran@yahoo.fr

36

Karim Ouattara Taï Hippopotamus Project, VSRS, 01 BP 1303 Abidjan 01

Centre Suisse des Recherches Scientifiques en Côte

d’Ivoire

karim.outtara@csrs.ci

Monique Paris Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht,

Utrecht, The Netherlands

m.paris@uu.nl

Alexander Peal Society for the Conservation of Nature in Liberia, Capital

Hill, Monrovia, Liberia

alexpeal66@yahoo.com

Joshua N. Quawah Forestry Development Authority, PO Box 10-3010,

Monrovia, Liberia

jnquawah@yahoo.com

Chris Ransom West and North Africa Conservation Programme,

Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1

4RY

chris.ransom@zsl.org

Phil Robinson

3755 Sulphur Spring Road, Toledo, Ohio, USA 43606

Phillip.Robinson@utoledo.edu

D.D. Siaffa Executive Director, Conservation Society of Sierra Leone,

18B Becklyn Drive, Congo Cross, Freetown

Ddsiaffa@yahoo.co.uk

Amos Smith Society for the Conservation of Nature in Liberia, Capital

Hill, Monrovia, Liberia

amos@rocketmail.com

Beatrice Steck Zoo Basel, Binningerstrasse 40, CH-4054 Basel, Switzerland

steck@zoobasel.ch

Martina Vogt FFI Liberia, PO Box 10-3010, FDA, Lonestar Comp, Congo

Town, Monrovia, Liberia

Martina.Vogt@fauna-flora.org

Chrissie Wightman West and North Africa Conservation Programme,

Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1

4RY

chrissie.wightman@zsl.org

37

Appendix 2. Workshop agenda

22 November 2010

08:30-09:00 Registration 09:30-10:00 Opening:

Official welcome: Honourable Moses Worgbeh, Managing-Director,

Forestry Development Authority

Introduction to the workshop: Chris Ransom Co-Chair, IUCN SSC Pygmy Hippo Sub-group

Introductions: All participants

10:00-10:30 Species Conservation Strategies and Aims of the Workshop:

David Mallon, IUCN Species Planning Sub-committee

11:00-13:00 Presentations on pygmy hippo projects:

• A Brief History of the Pygmy Hippo. Philip Robinson, University of Toledo

• University of Georgia Pygmy Hippo Project in Sierra Leone. April Conway, University of

Georgia

• Across the River – A Transboundary Peace Park for Sierra Leone and Liberia. Annika Hillers,

RSPB

• Pygmy Hippo Programme in Côte d'Ivoire. Karim Ouattara, Taï Hippo Project

• Pygmy Hippo Conservation at Sapo National Park. Martina Vogt, FFI

• Modelling the Potential Range of Pygmy Hippo in Upper Guinea. Jeremy Lindsell, Graham

Buchanan, Annika Hillers, RSPB

• ZSL Pygmy Hippo Research. Ben Collen, ZSL

14:00-14:30 Videos:

• Pygmy Hippo in Taï NP taken by Tobias Deschner on 16/1/1999

• Pygmy Hippo in Taï NP taken by ‘Marco Polo’ company

14:30-15:00 Introduction to the status review: Chris Ransom, Co-Chair, Pygmy Hippo Sub-group

Introduction to the mapping process: Paul de Ornellas, ZSL

15:00-17:00 Status and maps: Discussion - 4 working groups (by range state)

17:00-18:00 Report back by working groups and general discussion – All participants

23 November

Presentation:

• Protection, Conservation and Sustainable Management of Pygmy Hippo in Guinea. Sylvain Dufour, Sylvatrop

09:30-11:00 Threat analysis: Identification and prioritization of threats and gaps - 4 working groups

[Mapping group continues to refine and digitize distribution maps]

11:30-12:45 Review and discussion of threats - All participants

14:00-15:30 Development of Vision and Goal – 4 working groups

Review of drafts, discussion and agreement on final version- All participants

Development of Objectives – 3 working groups

Review of objectives and discussion - All participants

24 November

0900-11:00 Development of Actions – 3 working groups

Review of actions and discussion - All participants

11:30-13:00 Stakeholder Analysis – 4 working groups (by range state)

[Working group drafts Resolution to Heads of State]

14:00-15:00 Workshop Resolution – presentation and discussion – All participants

18:00 Closing of the Workshop.

38

Appendix 3. Workshop resolution on pygmy hippo conservation

Honourable Heads of State: (alphabetically by name of country) Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone

Secretariat, Mano River Union

Your Excellency

We herewith provide you with a resolution which was unanimously passed by the thirty assembled

delegates to the Pygmy Hippopotamus Conservation Strategy Workshop, which was held in

Monrovia, Liberia, November 22-24th, 2010. The meeting was organized by the Pygmy Hippo Sub-

group of the IUCN Hippopotamus Specialist Group and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), in full

cooperation with the assembled representatives from national agencies from Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea,

Liberia, and Sierra Leone.

The delegate body was comprised of representatives from governmental wildlife management

agencies, regional non-governmental organizations and individual research experts who are working

with the Pygmy Hippopotamus across its range. This meeting is the first of its kind and had as its

objective to comprehensively assess the conservation status of this endangered species and to

formulate a conservation action plan with agreed recommendations for its preservation in the

ecosystems of the four countries concerned (Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone). The

invited delegates were appointed to this task on the basis of their expert knowledge of wildlife

resources in their respective countries as well as their demonstrated knowledge and experience of

the Pygmy Hippopotamus.

The workshop recommends that Pygmy Hippopotamus should be regarded as a flagship species for

the Upper Guinea Forest ecosystem. However, as a result of human activities, the population of this

species has experienced a serious population decline and fragmentation of its historic range. As the

first recommended action of this meeting, we are sending this initial resolution to the highest

authorities in this region and sincerely request that you exercise your authority and wisdom in

endorsing it. We thank you for your support of this group’s efforts and will be advising you and other

appropriate governmental agencies in the region on the final version of the workshop’s findings and

recommendations. In each range country, hunting of Pygmy Hippopotamus is legally prohibited, but

is still widely practiced.

“Be it resolved that the pygmy hippopotamus, an endangered species in West Africa’s Upper

Guinea Forest be, by executive decree, fully protected under national laws and policies.

Furthermore, that all practical efforts be made to communicate to the general populace that

hunting or trapping, by any means, or trading or selling of this species is strictly prohibited.”

Sincerely yours, and on behalf of all the workshop delegates

Christopher Ransom

Co-Chair, Pygmy Hippo Sub-group of the IUCN/SSC Hippopotamus Specialist Group

Programme Manager, West and North Africa Conservation Programme, Zoological Society of

London

39

Appendix 4. National wildlife legislation and government agencies

responsible for pygmy hippo conservation

Côte d'Ivoire

Laws:

• Loi de 2002 Relative à la création et la gestion des PNR de Côte D’Ivoire

• Code de l’Environnement (1996)

• Code de l’Eau

• Loi de 1965 relative à la protection de la faune et exercice de la chasse

• Loi de 1965 Portant code forestier

• And several decrees on implementation [plusieurs decrets d’application]

Government:

Ministère de l’Environnement et des Eaux et Forêts

Guinea

Laws:

• Code Forestier L/99/013/AN – Juin 1999)

• Code de la Protection de la Faune Sauvage et Reglémentation de la Chasse L/97/038/AN-

décembre 1997)

Government:

Ministère de l’Environnement, Eaux et Forêt Développement Durable (MEEFDD)

Direction Nationale des Aires Protégées

Centre Forestier N’Zérékoré

Liberia

Laws:

• National Wildlife Laws of Liberia

• 1988 Wildlife Regulation

Government:

Forestry Development Authority (FDA) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Sierra Leone

Laws:

• Wildlife Protection Act 1972 (hunting prohibited)

• Forestry Act 1988 (Regulation 1989 related to community forests)

• Environmental Protection Act 2008 (EIAs general biodiversity) Government:

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security (MAFFS)

Ministry of Land, Country Planning and Environment

Ministry of Mineral Resources

Ministry of Local Government and Internal Affairs

Ministry of Energy and Water Resources

Land Officials Department

Environmental Protection Agency

40

Appendix 5. Pygmy hippo conservation stakeholders

Regional

Mano River Union (Technical Advisory Committee on Biodiversity) African Union

UNDP

FAO

IUCN West Africa Office

Multilateral/International Donors

African Development Bank

GTZ (German Technical Cooperation)

USAID

World Bank/GEF

International NGOs

INGOs carrying out work on biodiversity conservation in the Upper Guinea Forest region that may

have relevance to pygmy hippos:

Afrique Nature

BirdLife International (BLI)

Conservation International (CI) West Africa Program

Fauna and Flora International (FFI)

Great Ape Survival Project (GRASP) Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE)

Sustainable and Thriving Environment for West African Regional Development (STEWARD; USAID

Forestry Service Project)

Wild Chimpanzee Foundation (WCF)

National stakeholders

Côte d’Ivoire

Research Institutions:

Cocody-Abobo/Adjamé Universities Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques (CSRS)

NGOs:

Action pour la Conservation de la Biodiversité (ACB-CI)

SOS Forêts

SOS-Taï

Fondation des Parcs et Réserves

Private Sector:

MOOV-CI, Ets FATAL, THANRY, CHC PALM-CI, SOGB, SAPH

Guinea Research institutions:

Universities

NGOs:

SYLVATROP

Guinée-Ecologie

Local:

Préfectures

Private Sector:

41

CRD, Rio Tinto, BMP, VALE, SOGUI, PAH, BHP Billiton, Forêt Forte

Liberia

Research institutions:

University of Liberia Cuttington University

NGOs:

Society for Conservation of Nature in Liberia (SCNL)

FCL

Farmers Associated to Conserve the Environment (FACE)

Save My Future Foundation (SAMFU)

Skills and Agricultural Development Services (SADS)

Zoological Society of London (ZSL)

Private Sector:

Logging Companies – Euro Logging Liberia, TTC, ALPHA, EJ&J, B&V. Mining Companies – Acelor Mittal, BHP Billiton, Putu Iron ore, Veroleum, Sime Darby, Equatorial

Biofuel, Firestone, Buchanan Renewable Energy

Sierra Leone:

Research institutions:

Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute

Njala University, University of Sierra Leone

University of Georgia

NGOs:

Environmental Forum for Action (ENFORAC- umbrella organization) Gola Forest Programme (GFP)

Across the River Transboundary Project (ARTP)

Environmental Foundation of Africa

Conservation Society of Sierra Leone

RSPB

ZSL

Local:

Schools

Community Groups (women/youth)

Hunters, Fishermen, Farmers Forest management committees (FMCs)

MPs and Local council ward representatives

Chiefdom authorities

Private Sector:

Logging companies

Mining companies (African Minerals, London Mining)

Agribusiness companies

Environmental consultancy firms (CEEMAT)

National tourist board, tour operators and guides

42

Appendix 6. List of acronyms

ARTP Across the River – A Transboundary Peace Park for Sierra Leone and Liberia

CEPF Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund CI Conservation International

CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species

CSRS Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire

CSSL Conservation Society of Sierra Leone

EDGE Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered

FDA Forestry Development Authority of Liberia

FFI Fauna and Flora International

GTZ German Technical Cooperation (now GIZ)

IBREAM Institute for Breeding of Rare and Endangered African Mammals

IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature

NAP National Action Plan

NGO Non-Governmental Organisation

NP National Park

OIPR Office Ivoirien des Parcs et Réserves

PA Protected Area

RSPB Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

RZSS Royal Zoological Society of Scotland

SSC Species Survival Commission

WWF World Wildlife Fund

ZSL Zoological Society of London

43

Appendix 7. Pygmy hippo conservation strategy– logical framework

VISION

A world where viable populations of pygmy hippos thrive throughout their range in healthy ecosystems, acting as a flagship species for the

Upper Guinea Forest, coexisting in harmony with human populations, retaining cultural importance, for the benefit of present and future

generations.

GOAL

To assess the current status of the pygmy hippo across its range, and ensure the effective protection of, and connectivity between, known

populations.

OBJECTIVE ACTION TIME FRAME REPSONSIBLE

1. Known populations are

effectively protected

1.1 Carry out a threat analysis of each site containing pygmy

hippos

2014 Government agencies, NGOs

1.2 Develop a mitigation plan for each site

2015 Government agencies, NGOs

1.3 Identify relevant implementing authorities

By 2013 Government agencies, NGOs

1.4 Facilitate threat mitigation

2015 Government agencies, NGOs

2. Status in each range state

assessed

2.1 Identify and prioritize key sites for survey By end 2011 Government agencies, NGOs

2.2 Develop standardized field techniques for survey and

monitoring

By end 2011 FFI, IBREAM, RSPB, University of

Georgia, ZSL

2.3 Build adequate capacity to conduct surveys and By end 2012 FFI, IBREAM, RSPB, ZSL, NGOs,

44

monitoring

universities

2.4 Establish long-term monitoring programmes in key sites By end 2012 IBREAM, FFI, ZSL, Government

agencies, NGOs

2.5 Investigate the feasibility of fecal DNA analysis for

individual identification to understand population structure,

connectivity and guide population estimates

2011-2012 CSRS, FFI, IBREAM, ZSL; OIPR and

University of Georgia (sample

collection)

2.6 Investigate range wide population structure, dispersal

and interconnectivity using genetic analysis

By 2015

Universities, NGOs

2.7 Clarify the relationship of the Nigerian subspecies

through DNA analysis of museum material

By 2015 Universities

2.8 Investigate recent or current presence in the Nigerian

range through a questionnaire survey

By end 2012 NGOs

3. Key corridors identified and

managed

3.1 Identify potential corridors between known populations

through satellite imagery and ground truthing

2012-2013 Government agencies, NGOs

3.2 Recommend official recognition and legal status for

corridors

By 2014 Government agencies, NGOs

3.3 Engage key groups (communities, media, decision-

makers, private sector) in corridor management

From 2012 Government agencies, NGOs

3.4 Develop corridor management plans

By 2014 Government agencies, NGOs,

communities

3.5 Implement corridor management plans

From 2014 Government agencies, NGOs,

communities

45

4. Poaching pressure on pygmy

hippos reduced

4.1 Intensify law enforcement activities against poaching in

all key sites

2011-2020 Government agencies

4.2 Educate hunters in the conservation importance of

pygmy hippos

2011-2020

Government agencies, NGOs

4.3 Train law enforcement officers at every level (minimum

3 people/level/PA)

2011-2015 Government agencies, NGOs

4.4 Support alternative protein source programs where

appropriate

2011-2020 Government agencies, NGOs

4.5 Reinforce cultural aspects of conservation

From 2011 Government agencies, NGOs

4.6 Educate consumers, traders and transporters in

importance of pygmy hippos

From 2011

NGOs

5. Causes of habitat loss are mitigated by 2020

5.1 Engage mining, timber, and agribusiness companies in pygmy hippo conservation

From 2011

ALL

5.2 Promote sustainable land use management and

agricultural practices

From 2011

ALL

5.3 Promote alternative livelihood programmes in

communities adjacent to pygmy hippo populations

From 2011 Government agencies, NGOs

6. The regional Protected Area

Network (PAN) is fully effective

to meet the needs of pygmy

hippo conservation

6.1 Review protected area legislation and recommend

revisions where needed

By end-2012 Government agencies, NGOs

6.2 Demarcate boundaries of current PAs By 2014 Government agencies

6.3 Carry out a GAP analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of

the current PAN

By end 2012 Government agencies, landscape

planners

46

6.4 Identify key sites for PA status From 2011

NGOs, researchers, government

agencies

6.5 Train one biomonitoring team in each protected area By 2014 NGOs, biomonitoring specialists.

6.6 Ensure effective operations and law enforcement in all

protected areas

From 2011

Government agencies

7. Pygmy hippo is recognized as

a flagship species for the Upper

Guinea Forest ecosystem and

an indicator of its health

7.1 Raise awareness of the conservation significance of

pygmy hippos among communities, authorities, media,

decision-makers, locally, nationally, regionally

By 2015 ALL

7.2 Raise awareness of the conservation significance of

pygmy hippos internationally

From 2011 ALL

7.3 Develop range-wide environmental education material for communities and schools

By 2013 Universities, NGOs, researchers, government agencies

7.4 Integrate environmental education into the school

curriculum in all range states

By 2015 Universities, NGOs, researchers,

government agencies

8. Mechanisms for regional

cooperation on all aspects of

pygmy hippo conservation

established

8.1 Integrate pygmy hippo conservation within the

framework of the Mano River Union

2012 Government agencies

8.2 Develop protocols for data sharing within the region

wherever possible

2012 ALL

8.3 Maximize opportunities for regional cooperation

including transfrontier initiatives

From 2011 ALL

9. National pygmy hippo action

plans produced and endorsed

in all range states

9.1 Identify focal person or agency in each range state to

lead the national action planning process

end 2011 Government agencies

9.2 Organise stakeholder meeting(s) in each range state

By 2013 Government agencies, NGOs

47

9.3 Draft, review, and finalise national action plans for

pygmy hippo in each range state

By 2014 Government agencies, NGOs

9.4 Secure government endorsement for each national

action plan

By 2014 Government agencies

10. The ex-situ population in

coordinated breeding

programmes is managed to

maximise genetic diversity

10.1 Update the pygmy hippo studbook on a regular basis

Annually Zoo Basel

10.2 Continue research into reproductive biology of pygmy

hippos, the biased sex ratio in the captive population and

polycystic kidney disease

Ongoing IBREAM, University of Vienna,

Leibnitz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife

Research (Berlin)

10.3 Establish a pygmy hippo gene bank for the wild and

captive populations

2013

Action 10.4 Continue to develop genetic markers and the full

programme of genetic studies

2014 IBREAM, RZZS, University of Chester

Action 10.5 Distribute research results regularly to all stakeholders

Annually IBREAM, Leibnitz Institute, RZSS, University of Vienna,

11. The conservation strategy is

coordinated and resourced

11.1 Create a pygmy hippo conservation website

By 2012 ZSL

11.2 Obtain adequate financial and resources to implement

the strategy

2011-2020 ALL

48

Appendix 8. National Action Plan template

Status summary (Use information contained in the Species Strategy and supplement with additional

detail where available) Distribution

Known sites of occurrence and dates

Potential habitat and sites of possible occurrence

Priority sites identified for field survey

Map (as used in the SCS or an updated if new information is available)

Population

Summarize available estimates

Methods used to calculate them (guesswork, informed guesses, indices of abundance from field

surveys (e.g. field signs, camera trapping)

Threats (refer to the Species Strategy for the main threat headings and evaluate their importance at

national level).

The main direct and indirect threats operating in the country, and prioritized nationally

Gaps that hinder pygmy hippo conservation

Conservation measures

Existing pygmy hippo conservation projects, their scope and duration.

Government agencies responsible for biodiversity conservation

INGOs and NGOs

Protected Areas (size, date of establishment, IUCN category) Transboundary initiatives

Legislation (and additions or amendments needed)

Action Plan

Vision

The Vision agreed for the range-wide pygmy hippo strategy should apply to all range states

Goal

Is the range-wide goal appropriate for the NAP? Or is a new, or additional, national goal needed?

Objectives

Review the range-wide objectives and identify those relevant at national level Refine these objectives as appropriate

Identify any additional objectives needed to achieve the national goal or goals

Actions

Develop detailed actions required to deliver national objectives

Actions in the NAP should be more specific and detailed than those in the range-wide strategy

Actions should specify a time frame and list the agencies and organizations responsible for

implementation

Process for obtaining government endorsement

One page of the report should be set aside for signatures and date of government endorsement.

References