Taï, Dec. 21, 2025 (AIP) – The CSRS officially launched the pygmy hippopotamus conservation program in Côte d'Ivoire on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, in the conference room of the Taï prefecture.

Combining scientific research and education on biodiversity conservation issues, this program aims to reduce the very high risk of extinction of the species, threats due to uncontrolled anthropogenic pressures, a lack of scientific data, and insufficient awareness-raising actions on the phenomenon. The creation of local associations dedicated to the conservation of the species is also planned to remedy this situation.

The participants in this launch workshop mainly emphasized two key recommendations for optimizing the results of this conservation program. The first is to increase the involvement of local communities living near Taï National Park (TNP), home to the largest population of pygmy hippos, in the development and implementation of conservation strategies, thereby ensuring a broader impact of awareness-raising efforts.

Secondly, to ensure the sustainability of the conservation program's achievements, the coordinator of the pygmy hippopotamus conservation program in Côte d'Ivoire, Dr. Elie Bogui, pointed out the need to establish a solid and ongoing education program on the challenges and benefits of conserving this species in schools, targeting the potential decision-makers of tomorrow.

Classified since 1849 under the scientific name “Choeropsis liberiensis,” the pygmy hippopotamus is a rare animal species that is difficult to study due to its fearful nature and discreet lifestyle, but unfortunately has been classified as “endangered” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List since 2015.

This conservation program, currently being set up by the CSRS, aims to expand, diversify, and sustain the ad hoc actions already carried out in this direction for several years through the “Pygmy Hippopotamus Day,” the 2025 edition of which was held in Djouroutou, in the department of Grabo, on December 17.

(AIP)/mac/fmo