Pygmy Hippos are elusive, solitary forest animals, listed as Endangered by IUCN. Their habitat has been eroded to such an extent that they are now restricted to just a 5,000 km² area of West Africa and in 1994 approximately 3000 animals were estimated to exist in the wild, although this is now likely to be much lower. We are carrying out pioneering work both in zoos and in the wild to help preserve the Pygmy Hippo and save it from extinction.

The Ethiopian Wolf plays a vital role in its local ecosystem but with less than 500 adults remaining it is in critical danger. IBREAM is working to develop tools that will allow us to understand the reproductive biology of the species, enabling assisted breeding as a backup plan for its long-term preservation. We also aim, together with our local partners, to set up an Ethiopian Wolf semen bank.

Less than 2,500 adult African Wild Dogs remain on the planet and this number continues to decline. But not enough is known about the species to allow an effective program of assisted reproduction. IBREAM is researching the reproductive biology of African Wild Dogs to help prevent the species from being lost forever.

PhD student Annemieke van der Goot is studying reproduction in free-living white rhinos in their natural habitat in Africa, which will help us understand and solve reproductive problems that are threatening the survival of the white rhino, one of the last giant mammals living on our planet.