Description
Though the pygmy hippopotamus has been designated as a flagship species of West African forests (meaning that by raising conservation efforts for a single species, an entire ecological region could benefit), very little research has been published on the animal. They are solitary, nocturnal, and highly evasive, and until recent developments in "camera trap" technology, they were considered the least-photographed large mammal species in the world. The information currently available on this endangered species is scattered, limited, redundant, and often inaccurate, and no major volume exists as a resource for those interested in the conservation effort for the species, until now.Phillip Robinson and his coauthors provide a treatment of the natural history, biology, and ecology of the pygmy hippo, along with a discussion of the rare animal's taxonomic niche and a summary of the research initiatives involving it up to this point. The authors show the ways in which the pygmy hippo has come into contact with people in West African countries, both in terms of ecological and cultural impact. This creature has been the subject of local folktales, and is treated as almost mythic in some regions. Information on issues related to captivity, breeding, and zoos is provided. The book is heavily illustrated with original photographs and anatomic drawings. The project should be of use to conservation biologists, zoologists and natural history readers, and will be the definitive single-volume account of an animal that the scientific community has designated to be ecologically significant to West Africa.
Table of Contents
Foreword - David P. Mallon, Manchester Metropolitan UniversityPreface - Phillip. T. RobinsonAuthors' Introduction - The AuthorsI. DISCOVERY, HISTORY AND CAPTURE1. What is a Pygmy Hippopotamus - Gabriella L. Flacke2. Hippos in Popular Culture and Folklore - Gabriella L. Flacke3. Looking for Enigmas in the Forest - Phillip T. Robinson4. The Use and Abuse of Hippos in Nature - Phillip T. Robinson5. Heslop's Pygmy Hippopotamus - Phillip T. Robinson6. Hans Schomburgk - Hunter, Trapper, Bush Bicyclist - Phillip T. Robinson7. Frans Van den Brink- Master Hippo Catcher - Phillip T. RobinsonII. WORKING IN PYGMY HIPPO COUNTRYPhillip T. Robinson8. Arriving in West Africa9. Just Getting There is Most of the Journey10. Wrestling the Town Chief in Pygmy Hippo Country11. Journeys Without Destinations12. Going Bush in Sierra Leone13. Traveling Hammocks and Piggyback Rides14. A Six to Six Walk15. Small Planes16. Navigating Pygmy Hippo CountryCo-authors and Contributors17. Pygmy Hippo Research on Tiwai Island - April L. Conway18. Living the Dream - Gabriella L. Flacke19. Pygmy Hippo Research in the Ivory Coast - Knut M. Hentschel20. The Hippo Hotel of Ivory Coast - Waldemar BülowIII. BIOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY21. The Flora and Fauna of Pygmy Hippo Country - Gabriella L. Flacke22. The Feeding Behavior of Pygmy Hippos in the Wild - Knut M. Hentschel23. The Pygmy Hippo Hunters - Phillip T. Robinson24. Common Ground for Hippos in West Africa - Phillip T. Robinson25. Sly, Shy or Focused? The Origins of Elusiveness - Phillip T. Robinson26. Husbandry, Health and Pathology of Pygmy Hippos - Gabriella L. FlackeIV. CONSERVATION DURING WARTIME27. Staying Alive During the War - Phillip T. Robinson28 The Disruptions and Setbacks of Civil War - Phillip T. Robinson and Henk Dop29. The Shortcut from Master Sergeant to President - Phillip T. RobinsonV. CONSERVATION AND THE FUTURE30. A Very Sad Story of Greed - Knut M. Hentschel31. Conservation Genetics and Fragmented Populations - Gabriela L. Flacke and Phillip T. Robinson32. Distribution and Population Estimates - Gabriella L. Flacke33. Conservation Planning and Priorities - Gabriella L. FlackeAFTERWORD - The AuthorsIMAGE CREDITSINDEX
