But it’s not related to either one. Efforts to protect the species by law have largely failed due to … P… Pygmy Hippopotamus's grazing in the day. Although they are distant cousins, there are many differences between the pygmy hippo and the common hippo, so biologists gave both species very different names: Choeropsis liberiensis for pygmy hippos and Hippopotamus amphibius for common hippos. Pygmy Hippopotamus are vegetarians and feed on leaves, plants and fresh shoots when traveling the undergrowth in the late evening and night time. This status was changed from vulnerable in 1986 to endangered … Pygmy Hippo Pet – Can you Have a Pet Pygmy Hippo? Their biggest threats are loss of forest habitat due to the timber industry and being hunted by man for meat and tusk. In Liberia, where most of the remaining pygmy hippos live, experts say legal protection for pygmy hippos is insufficient and poorly enforced, and logging of their habitats continues. Us humans affect the population. It was the zoo's first successful pygmy hippo birth in more than 30 years. There are many threats to biodiversity today. Therefore, its transparent why are hippos endangered? Known to be found only in four countries in West Africa, pygmy hippos are now classified as endangered, with possibly less than 3,000 individuals remaining in the wild. The extent of the hippo tooth trade and the significance of other endangered species can lead to “uncontrolled absorption levels” of those animals and ultimately accelerate their extinction, the study’s authors argue. While the common hippo (Hippopotamus amphibious) is categorized as vulnerable, its smaller relative, the pygmy hippo (Choeropsis liberiensis … (. Hippos are not good prey because of their imposing size. The average adult common hippo weighs about 1,300 to 1,500 kg (2,900 to 3,300 lbs). The pygmy hippopotamus is rated ‘ Endangered ‘ by the IUCN. This overall divergence of trade data undermines regulatory measures and challenges the persistence of the African hippo population. A certain subspecies of the pygmy hippo is critically endangered. In just two seconds they can rise from the water and get a complete lung full of air. Pygmy hippos are especially sensitive about habitat loss. Many awareness campaigns however address the plight of all African wild animals and birds due to trophy hunting and other pressures. In the article "Endangered Species: They Pygmy hippopotamus" by By Gale, Cengage Learning, adapted by Newsela staff, it talks about of the pygmy hippos is going to go on the endangered species list. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. They can sell these items to make a profit on the market. The hippo’s closest relatives are cetaceans, which include porpoises and whales. Researchers examined records obtained from CITES from 1975, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Animals and Plants. This overall divergence of trade data undermines regulatory measures and challenges the persistence of the African hippo population. Their feet are less webbed than their cousins’, because they spend more time on land than in water. The so-called “water horse” looks more like a giant pig than a horse. In 2004 the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resource (IUCN) SSC Hippo Specialist Subgroup estimated that there were only 2-3,000 remaining pygmy hippos in the wild. Despite its love of water, the hippo can’t swim—or even float! More than 90% of Hong Kong’s global hippo tooth business is imported and re-exported. It generally rests in water during the day and becomes more active at night. All countries in which the pygmy hippos are present are protected by law and are in Appendix II to the CITES, which means that trade in any part of the animal is restricted. A pygmy hippo looks much like the better-known common hippo, but smaller, with eyes on the side of a more rounded head. 2%. In most transactions, Hong Kong declares imported volumes higher than Uganda’s export volume. Required fields are marked *. Pygmy hippos are among the species illegally hunted for food in Liberia . During the civil war, large-scale logging for timber export was used as a political and financial pawn, and it is only in the last decade that the industry has been regulated as a result of political stability. Because of this, the species' largest populations are found on protected nature preserves. On this page, I encourage readers to make a change and start on ways to help these hippo's. The endangered pygmy hippo was caught in … Although endangered in the wild, Pygmy Hippos breed in large numbers in zoos. Weighing up to 8,000 pounds, the hippo is the heaviest land animal after the elephant. Despite their large and bulky appearance, they have adaptations to their semi-aquatic environments allowing them to move swiftly on both water and land. Most pygmy hippos live in protected areas and all the countries they live in have developed strategies that help protect hippos. Contributed by Nikela Volunteer Katharine Colton, © 2021 All Rights Reserved. Why are hippos endangered? Its body is much too dense for that. Microbiology: Certificate Program Bonus - pygmy hippos are … In most transactions, Hong Kong declares imported volumes higher than Uganda’s export volume. The common hippo is the third largest land mammal. Both types of hippo habitat are threatened due to logging and human settlement. An adult pygmy hippo may weight about 180 to 275 kg (397 to 606 lbs). Nikela is for preserving all wild things and their wild places. In total, more than 14,000kg of hippo toothless between Uganda and Hong Kong, representing 2,700 unique hippos worldwide. It was the zoo’s first successful pygmy hippo birth in more than 30 years. The eyes and ears of a hippopotamus are on top of its head, so it can keep watch for enemies—mainly crocodiles—while lying low in the water. The pygmy hippo is about one-fourth the size of a common hippo. Of the two species of hippos left in the world, only the pygmy hippopotamus is classified as an endangered species. Both types of hippos are threatened by habitat loss due to logging and human settlement. In November 2003, there are 178 pygmy hippopotamuses in 74 collections around the world. Your email address will not be published. Blue Bell Campground Custer State Park Trip Plan, Mount Mazama eruption – Date | Volume | History, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Travel Guide, Trip to Smoky Mountains – Reviews | Road | Guide | Vacation, Smoky Mountains Trip – Plan | Itinerary | Travel Guide, Yellowstone Backpacking Trips – Plan | Guide | Weather, Skunk Harbor Lake Tahoe – Direction | Travel | Trail. They advocate protection of habitation through the extension of protected areas and legal enforcement against hunting and logging. Pygmy hippos live in swampy areas and next to rivers. Pygmy hippos are particularly sensitive to habitat loss. Conservation Problem Despite being a large mammal, the Pygmy Hippopotamus is an elusive and rarely seen species. Researchers at the African Journal of Ecology, researchers at the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Hong Kong, have shown significant significance to the business volume of hippo teeth that could be a threat to their survival. Pygmy hippos are an endangered species, but in April, one was born at the San Diego Zoo. Hippo teeth are also easier to smuggle than ivory dubs. Pygmy hippos are an endangered species, but in April, one was born at the San Diego Zoo. Hippos’ skin secretes, or lets out, a reddish substance known as “blood sweat.” It really does look like blood—but it’s not. Pygmy Hippo’s IUCN status is “Endangered”. Just like whales, pygmy hippos have specially designed lungs that can fill quicker than those of other mammals. This indicates that the level of actual trade may be higher than the internationally approved quota. Fortunately, pygmy hippos breed well in zoos; however, more protection is needed for the wild populations so that they will not vanish altogether. Unlike the common hippo, it is not territorial, meaning it does not protect certain territory. The number of pygmy hippopotamuses left in the wild is estimated to be between 2,000 and 2,500 individuals, and the population is decreasing. 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