Wildlife of Sierra Leone - Mammals

Mammals

There are approximately 147 known species of wild mammals within Sierra Leone. Members of fourteen orders of placental mammals inhabit Sierra Leone. The endangered Pygmy Hippopotamus has territories around the islands on the Moa River and is widespread in the Gola Forest area. There are three species of wild pig that occur across Sierra Leone Wart Hog, the Giant Forest Hog and the Red River Hog.

Sierra Leone has 15 identified species of primates that include bushbaby, monkeys and a great ape, the Common Chimpanzee which is Sierra Leone's largest primate. Chimpanzees are found across the country with the 2010 chimpanzee census estimated a wild population in excess of 5500 more than double the number previously thought to live in the country. This is the second largest population of the endangered subspecies of Western chimpanzee, after Guinea, with the largest density in the Loma area, 2.69 individuals per km2, and the Outamba, with 1.21 individuals per km2.

There are several species of whales and the African Manatee in the waters of Sierra Leone. The Manatee is an endangered species and lives in the rivers and estuaries of Sierra Leone especially around Bonthe.

Mammals found in Sierra Leone include:

• Hippopotamus
• African Bush Elephant
• Bongo antelope