Pygmy Hippopotamusコビトカバ

Choeropsis liberiensisEN— Endangered

The pygmy hippopotamus is a reclusive, nocturnal relative of the common hippo, found only in the forests and swamps of West Africa, primarily Liberia. Far more terrestrial and solitary than its larger cousin, it emerges from water at dusk to forage for several hours before returning to cover. With fewer than 2,500 mature individuals estimated in the wild, the IUCN lists it as Endangered, and international captive breeding programs now play a significant role in the species' conservation.

Pygmy Hippopotamus (reference photo)
Photo: Chuckupd / Public domain / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification
Artiodactyla / Hippopotamidae Source
Distribution
Found in the forests and swamps of West Africa, primarily Liberia, with populations in Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Ivory Coast; it has been extirpated from Nigeria. Source

Did You Know?

  • It is one of only two living species in the family Hippopotamidae, alongside the much larger common hippopotamus. Source
  • Genetically, hippos and whales are thought to share a common semi-aquatic ancestor that lived roughly 60 million years ago. Source
  • In September 2024, a pygmy hippo calf named Moo Deng at a Thai zoo became a viral internet sensation, significantly boosting the zoo's attendance. Source

Where to See This Species

6 facilities · 0 individuals

東京都恩賜上野動物園 (Toukyoutoonshiueno Doubutsuen)TokyoOpened in 1882

「アフリカの動物」エリアで展示。繁殖プログラムに取り組む。 Source

Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical GardensAichiOpened in 1937

北園の「コビトカバ舎」でメス「コユリ」（上野動物園生まれ）・オス「ミライ」（いしかわ動物園生まれ）を展示。 Source

いしかわ動物園 (Ishikawa Doubutsuen)Ishikawa

「カバの池」で複数頭を展示。 Source

神戸どうぶつ王国 (Koubedoubutsuoukoku)Hyogoポートライナー「計算科学センター駅（神戸どうぶつ王国・「富岳」前）」下車すぐ。

「アフリカの湿地 コビトカバ展示場」で母「コウメ」と2025年7月生まれの赤ちゃん「ウタ」を親子展示。 Source

NIFREL (Nifureru)OsakaOpened in 2015

メス「テンテン」「ネムネム」「フルフル」の3頭を展示。 Source

広島市安佐動物公園 (Hiroshimashiasa Doubutsu Kouen)Hiroshima

広島市安佐動物公園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

Latest news

4

Open the news index

Source links to official sites, official YouTube channels, and news aggregators such as Zoo Ring. Visit the publisher for the full item.

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

IUCNレッドリストで絶滅危惧(Endangered)に指定されており、2015年評価で野生の成熟個体数は2,500頭未満と推定される。

Habitat

西アフリカのリベリアを中心に、シエラレオネ・ギニア・コートジボワールの森林・湿地に分布する。

Threats

  • 伐採や農地転換による生息地の消失
  • 食肉目的の密猟
  • 地域紛争による保護活動の停滞

Conservation & Breeding Efforts

  • ゴラ森林保護区など保護区での個体群保護
  • バーゼル動物園が管理する国際血統登録に基づく飼育下繁殖計画
  • 飼育下個体群の方が野生よりも安定しているとされる

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

Support Conservation

A visit is a small, positive way to support the daily lives of the animals you care about.

Visit
A visit itself helps support the facility.
Animal Supporter Programs & Giving
Find ways to support the facility through its official website.
Furusato Nozei
Municipally run facilities may share official guidance for this Japanese hometown-tax program.

FAQ

How is the pygmy hippo different from the common hippo?
The pygmy hippo is much smaller, more solitary, more terrestrial, and strictly nocturnal, spending less time in water than its larger, highly social relative. Source
Is the pygmy hippo endangered?
Yes. The IUCN classifies it as Endangered, with fewer than 2,500 mature individuals estimated to remain in the wild as of 2015. Source
Where do pygmy hippos live in the wild?
They live in forests and swamps of West Africa, mainly in Liberia, with smaller populations in Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Ivory Coast. Source

Source: www.tokyo-zoo.net www.higashiyama.city.nagoya.jp www.ishikawazoo.jp www.kobe-oukoku.com www.nifrel.jp www.iucnredlist.org