Wildlife & Biodiversity

Tiwai Island is one of the last examples of what was once an ancient rainforest in West Africa, and as a result has retained a rich and exciting biodiversity.

  • Tiwai has one of the highest concentrations of primates in the world, with 11 different species, including the rare and endangered Diana Monkey.
  • When taking a guided forest walk or boat tours there is also the possibility of seeing a rare pygmy hippopotamus, which can only be found in the Gola rainforest.
  • Tiwai is also the home to over 135 different bird species, including eight types of hornbills and the rare white breasted Guinea fowl, making Tiwai a birdwatchers paradise.
  • The Island also hosts a number of rare mammals such as Duiker (small deer), the Bongo, and it has been reported that the local community has spotted a leopard.
Sooty
Mangabey
(CERCOCYBUS ATYS)
Pygmy
Hippopotamus
(CHOEROPSIS LIBERIENSIS)
White-breasted guineafowl
(AGELASTES MELEAGRIDES)
Maxwell’s
duiker
(PHILANTOMBA. MAXWELLII)
Western
Chimpanzee
(PAN TROGLODYTES VERSUS)
Red
Colobus
(PROCOLOBUS B. BADIUS)