Pygmy hippopotamuses are rare, solitary forest dwellers from West Africa that require specific welfare management in zoo settings quite different from their common hippopotamus relatives.
Pygmy hippo welfare in zoo settings requires forest-like humid exhibit conditions, water access for bathing and thermoregulation, and appropriate solitary management. Unlike common hippos, their solitary nature means they should not be housed in close groups — compatible pairs can be maintained for breeding but the option to separate must always exist. They are primarily nocturnal, requiring activity management appropriate for their natural timing. Forest floor substrate and browse enrichment mimics their wild habitat more closely than open grass areas. Their relatively small size compared to common hippos means pool dimensions can be modest but still allow complete immersion. The species is less commonly maintained in zoos than common hippos, and welfare expertise is more limited.