IUCN SSC Hippo Specialist Group

More about the Specialist Group

The Hippo Specialist Group (HSG) focuses its attention on the two extant hippo species, common hippos (Hippopotamus amphibius), whose remaining range covers 38 sub-Saharan countries, and pygmy hippos (Choeropsis liberiensis), which is found in just four countries in West Africa. 

Both hippo species face significant threats to their future population viability. We are committed to working with the global conservation network, government and other entities to ensure the long-term survival of these species and to support sustainable conservation and management of both species of hippos across their range.

The HSG has 3 main areas of activity:

• Communication and outreach. With the help of our partner Ostrava Zoological Gardens and Botanical Park (Czechia) we developed a new website as the face of the HSG, the means by which we can reach, educate and communicate with a global audience. The websites include much important information like general info on both species, detailed info on conservation projects, a list of individual HSG members, and a list of scientific references on both hippo species. 
• Establishment of Conservation action plans for both species. For common hippos, action plans that capitalize on existing information and translate information into action are desperately needed. To date, no regional or national action plans have been developed for common hippos. While the need for such plans is clear, the HSG is keen to engage with partners and other interested organizations to identify the most appropriate scale for these plans– regional, national, and border region clusters. 
• Endorsing individual Conservation projects that catalyse research and conservation action. For this quadrennium, we have identified eight individual conservation and research projects that directly address the threats and challenges to hippo populations and their habitat. We are working with our partners to secure resources to support these projects.