Conservation Strategy for the Pygmy Hippopotamus

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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). Tw o 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-

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

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

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

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 7 015’, and east to the estuary of the Agneby River at about 4 018’ (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

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.

Map 1 Pygmy hippo distribution in Ivory Coast

Map 2 Pygmy hippo distribution in Guinea

Map 3 Pygmy hippo occurrences in Liberia

Map 4 Pygmy hippo occurrences in Sierra Leone

Map 5 Pygmy hippo occurrences in Nigeria

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/km 2 in primary forest, with a maximum of 7.6/km 2 in one locality, and 2.9/km 2 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/km 2 in 1998 and 0.2/km 2 in 2001 and in the west to 0.8/km 2 in 1995 and 1.4/km 2 in 1998; while the latest figures showed densities in the best areas of 1.4-2.5/km 2 (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/km 2 and a minimum population of 120 pygmy hippos in 300 km 2 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 km 2 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.

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.

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 21 st 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.).

Table 1. Protected areas containing pygmy hippo populations

Site Area (km 2) IUCN Pygmy hippo status Category 1 Côte d’Ivoire Ta ï 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 R eserve 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 ? ? Confirmed Recent Protected Area Wonegizi Proposed Protected area 428 ? Confirmed recent

Sierra Leone Gola Rainf orest National Park 750 ? Confirmed recent Loma Mountains Non -hunting Forest 333 II? Confirmed recent Reserve 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

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.

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

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.

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 20 th 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 20 th 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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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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Appendix 1. List of participants and contributors

Name Address Email Ibrahim Bakarr Department of Wildlife Management, School of Forestry & [email protected] Horticulture, Njala University, Sierra Leone Moses Beah Forestry Development Authority, PO Box 10-3010, [email protected] Monrovia, Liberia

Dickson Chowolo Forest Cry Liberia Inc, PO Box 3493, Monrovia [email protected]

Ben Collen Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's [email protected] Park, London NW1 4RY Saidou Condé Conservateur, Parc National du Haut Niger, Conakry, [email protected] République de Guinée Cécé Papa Condé Directeur Général, Centre Forestier Nzérékoré, République [email protected] de Guinée John Conteh Conservation and Wildlife Management Unit, Forestry Division, MAFFS, Sierra Leone April Conway 930 Wren Court Conyers GA 30012 USA [email protected]

Abdoulaye Office Ivoirien des Parcs et Réserves, Parc National de Taï [email protected] Diarrassouba Paul De Ornellas West and North Africa Conservation Programme, [email protected] Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY Sylvain Dufour SYLVATROP, 26 Rue de Vannes, hh100, Nantes [email protected]

Joel Gamys Conservation Manager, CI, Liberia [email protected]

Kate Garnett Assistant Director, Conservation and Wildlife [email protected] Management Unit, Forestry Division, Sierra Leone Tommy Garnett Environmental Foundation for Africa, 1 Beach road, Lakka, [email protected] Freetown, Sierra Leone Edward Gbeintor Forestry Development Authority, PO Box 10-3010, [email protected] Monrovia, Liberia Annika Hillers Across the River Project, 38 Maxwell Khobe Street, [email protected] Kenema, Sierra Leone Chloe Hodgkinson FFI, Jupiter House, Station Rd, Cambridge CB1 2JD, UK [email protected]

Jonathan Johnny School of Forestry & Horticulture, Njala University, Sierra [email protected] Leone René Kabran Ministère de l'Environnement, des Eaux et Forêts / [email protected] Direction de la Faune et des Ressources Cynégétiques, Côte d'Ivoire

Henry Kolié Conservateur de Tinzou, Conakry, République de Guinée [email protected]

Inza Koné Centre Suisse des Recherches Scientifiques 01 BP 1303 [email protected] Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire David Mallon IUCN/SSC Species Conservation Planning Sub-committee [email protected]

Mohamed Conservation and Wildlife Management Unit, Forestry

Mansaray Division, MAFFS, Sierra Leone [email protected] Andrew Muana Across the River Project, 38 Maxwell Khobe street, [email protected] Kenema, Sierra Leone Dje Francois Office Ivoirien des Parcs et Réserves, Côte d’Ivoire [email protected] N'goran

Karim Ouattara Taï Hippopotamus Project, VSRS, 01 BP 1303 Abidjan 01 Centre Suisse des Recherches Scientifiques en Côte [email protected] d’Ivoire Monique Paris Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, [email protected] Utrecht, The Netherlands Alexander Peal Society for the Conservation of Nature in Liberia, Capital [email protected] Hill, Monrovia, Liberia Joshua N. Quawah Forestry Development Authority, PO Box 10-3010, [email protected] Monrovia, Liberia Chris Ransom West and North Africa Conservation Programme, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 [email protected] 4RY Phil Robinson 3755 Sulphur Spring Road, Toledo, Ohio, USA 43606 [email protected]

D.D. Siaffa Executive Director, Conservation Society of Sierra Leone, [email protected] 18B Becklyn Drive, Congo Cross, Freetown Amos Smith Society for the Conservation of Nature in Liberia, Capital [email protected] Hill, Monrovia, Liberia Beatrice Steck Zoo Basel, Binningerstrasse 40, CH-4054 Basel, Switzerland [email protected]

Martina Vogt FFI Liberia, PO Box 10-3010, FDA, Lonestar Comp, Congo [email protected] Town, Monrovia, Liberia Chrissie Wightman West and North Africa Conservation Programme, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 [email protected] 4RY

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.

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

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

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 :

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

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

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 1.1 Carry out a threat analysis of each site containing pygmy 2014 Government agencies, NGOs effectively protected hippos

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 2.1 Identify and prioritize key sites for survey By end 2011 Government agencies, NGOs assessed 2.2 Develop standardized field techniques for survey and By end 2011 FFI, IBREAM, RSPB, University of monitoring Georgia, ZSL

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

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 2011 -2012 CSRS, FFI, IBREAM, ZSL; OIPR and individual identification to understand population structure, University of Georgia (sample connectivity and guide population estimates collection)

2.6 Investigate range wide population structure, dispersal By 2015 Universities, NGOs and interconnectivity using genetic analysis

2.7 Clarify the relationship of the Nigerian subspecies By 2015 Universities through DNA analysis of museum material

2.8 Investigate recent or current presence in the Nigerian By end 2012 NGOs range through a questionnaire survey

3. Key corridors identified and 3.1 Identify potential corridors between known populations 2012 -2013 Government agencies, NGOs managed through satellite imagery and ground truthing

3.2 Recommend official recognition and legal status f or By 2014 Government agencies, NGOs corridors

3.3 Engage key groups (communities, media, decision - From 2012 Government agencies, NGOs makers, private sector) in corridor management

3.4 Develop corridor management plans By 2014 Government agencies, NGOs , communities

3.5 Implement corridor management plans From 2014 Government agencies, NGOs , communities

4. Poaching pressure on pygmy 4.1 Intensify law enforcement activities against poaching in 2011 -2020 Government agencies hippos reduced all key sites

4.2 Educate hunters in the conservation importance of 201 1-2020 Government agencies, NGOs pygmy hippos

4.3 Train law enforcement officers at every level (minimum 2011 -2015 Government agencies, NGOs 3 people/level/PA)

4.4 Support alternative protein source programs where 2011 -2020 Government agencies, NGOs appropriate 4.5 Reinforce cultural aspects of conservation From 2011 Government agencies, NGOs

4.6 Educate consumers, traders and transporters in From 2011 NGO s importance of pygmy hippos

5. Causes of habitat loss are 5.1 Engage mining, timber, and agribus iness companies in From 2011 ALL mitigated by 2020 pygmy hippo conservation

5.2 Promote sustainable land use management and From 2011 ALL agricultural practices

5.3 Promote alternative livelihood programmes i n From 2011 Government agencies , NGOs communities adjacent to pygmy hippo populations

6. The regional Protected Area 6.1 Review protected area legislation and recommend By end -2012 Government agencies , NGOs Network (PAN) is fully effective revisions where needed to meet the needs of pygmy hippo conservation 6.2 Demarcate boundaries of current PA s By 2014 Government agencies

6.3 Carry out a GAP analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of By end 2012 Government agencies , landscape the current PAN planners

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 20 14 NGOs, biomonitoring specialists.

6.6 Ensure effective operations and law enforcement in all From 2011 Government agencies protected areas

7. Pygmy hippo is recognized as 7.1 Raise awareness of the conservation significance of By 201 5 ALL a flagship species for the Upper pygmy hippos among communities, authorities, media, Guinea Forest ecosystem and decision-makers, locally, nationally, regionally an indicator of its health 7. 2 Raise awareness of the conservation significance of From 2011 ALL pygmy hippos internationally

7.3 Develop range -wide environmental education material By 20 13 Universities, NGOs, researchers, for communities and schools government agencies

7.4 Integrate environmental education into the school By 201 5 Universities, NGOs, researchers, curriculum in all range states government agencies

8. Mechanisms for regional 8.1 Integrate pygmy hippo conservation within the 2012 Government agencies cooperation on all aspects of framework of the Mano River Union pygmy hippo conservation established 8.2 Develop protocols for data sharing within the regio n 2012 ALL wherever possible

8.3 Maximize opportunities for regional cooperation From 2011 ALL including transfrontier initiatives

9. National pygmy hippo action 9.1 Identify focal person or agency in each range state to end 2011 Government agencies plans produced and endorsed lead the national action planning process in all range states 9.2 Organise stakeholder meeting(s) in each range state By 2013 Government agencies, NGOs

9.3 Draft, review, and finalise national action plans for By 2014 Government agencies, NGOs pygmy hippo in each range state

9.4 Secure government endorsement for each national By 2014 Government agencies action plan

10. The ex -situ population in 10.1 Update the pygmy hippo studbook on a regular basis Annually Zoo Basel coordinated breeding programmes is managed to 10.2 Continue research into reproductive biology of pygmy Ongoing IBREAM, University of Vienna, maximise genetic diversity hippos, the biased sex ratio in the captive population and Leibnitz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife polycystic kidney disease Research (Berlin) 10.3 Establish a pygmy hippo gene bank for the wild and 2013 captive populations Action 10.4 Continue to develop genetic markers and the full 2014 IBREAM , RZZS, University of Chester programme of genetic studies

Action 10.5 Distribute research results regularly to all Annually IBREAM, Leibnitz Institute, RZSS, stakeholders University of Vienna,

11. The conservati on strategy is 11. 1 Create a pygmy hippo conservation website By 201 2 ZSL coordinated and resourced 11. 2 Obtain adequate financial and resources to implement 2011 -2020 ALL the strategy

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