Canary Current - A Global Ecoregion
Where the hippopotamus ventures into the sea
Snapshot: Ecoregion 216
Size:
N/A
Habitat type:
Tropical Upwelling
Geographic Location:
Eastern Atlantic Ocean off the northwestern coast of Africa
Conservation Status:
Critical/Endangered
N/A
Habitat type:
Tropical Upwelling
Geographic Location:
Eastern Atlantic Ocean off the northwestern coast of Africa
Conservation Status:
Critical/Endangered
Quiz Time!
Hippopotamuses that swim in the sea?
Answer:
Bijagos Archipelago is home to a rare population of hippopotamuses that swim in the sea - the only ones in the world to do so. Hippos elsewhere live only in lakes and rivers, but it's possible that some swam in the sea two million years ago when they lived all over the waters near Asia, Africa, and Europe.
About the Area
Driven by prevailing winds, the Canary Current flows southwestward along the coast of West Africa, bringing cool water towards the equator. As the wind moves the surface water, nutrient rich water from below the surface moves upward. This upwelling creates a highly productive region, especially for deep-sea fish and lobsters.
The Banc d'Arguin and Bijagos Archipelago are highly productive, shallow water ecosystems that support millions of Palearctic migratory birds during their journey. The Bijagos also support an unusual population of marine hippopotamuses (Hippopotamus amphibius).Local Species
Selected species include the Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), Olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), West African manatee (Trichechus senegalensis), Sardine (Sardinops ocellata), Pilchard (Sardina pilchardus), Spanish sardine (Sardinella aurita), Horse mackerel (Tracharus sp.), Hake (Merluccius spp.), and the breeding Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).
Threats
Problems include overfishing, urban development, runoff as a product of soil erosion, release of agrochemical products, sewage discharge, and oil pollution.
Resources
• NationalGeographic.com
