Pygmy Hippo

The pygmy hippo is smaller than their close relatives, the Nile hippo. Their eyes are on the sides of their heads which is also different from the Nile hippo. The pygmy hippo is an elusive creature, they are nocturnal and solitary and spend their days hiding in swamps. One thing we do know though is that you may not want to stand behind a pygmy hippo as they are famous for muck spreading - wagging their tail and defecating so that poop goes everywhere - an efficient way to mark for the pygmy hippo to mark its territory! Source: Pygmy Hippo Fact Sheet.   Video of a newborn pygmy hippo. 

Why the Pygmy Hippo Needs Help
The pygmy hippo is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN. It is estimated that there are only several thousand of the pygmy hippo left. The pygmy hippo only lives in small pockets in West Africa and are primarily threatened by loss of habitat, especially deforestation.

Help Save the Pygmy Hippo

• Donate to EDGE's Pygmy Hippo conservation efforts
• Sign up for Fauna and Flora's E-Newsletter to find out more about the pygmy hippo
• Conduct hippo research. Contact Rebecca Lewison

Pygmy hippo photo courtesy of: Nick Lawes