Guide Note

The Pygmy Hippo is a species of hippopotamus named for its relatively small size. Pygmy hippos live in moist regions of central Africa. The species is nocturnal and notoriously reclusive, which has made in-depth study difficult. It is listed as an endangered species, and populations are threatened not only by habitat reduction, but also by illegal poaching.

Fast Facts

1. Scientific name: Hexaprotodon liberiensis
2. Conservation status: Endangered
3. First documented by German explorer Hans Schomburgk in 1913¹
4. Primarily found in Liberia
5. Height: 2.5 feet (0.8 meters)
6. Length: 5 feet (1.5 meters)
7. Weight: 250-550 pounds (159-250 kilograms)²
8. Estimated population in the wild: 3,000³

As late as the early 1900s, the pygmy hippo was only rumored to exist. Native populations around modern-day Liberia called it "nigbwe," or "giant black pig." Naturalist Hans Schomburgk was sent to Africa to find a specimen, and spent nearly four years until he finally brought five specimens back to Europe on March 1, 1913¹