West African Seahorse Conservation Facts

The video captures the first known footage of the West African seahorse in the wild, recorded by Kate West of the Zoological Society of London. The seahorse is difficult to film due to poor visibility and rough diving conditions. Researchers are concerned about the species' conservation status as they are increasingly harvested for traditional Chinese medicine, with an estimated 150 million used annually. The West African seahorse, one of two native species, has been on the IUCN Red List of threatened species since 2002.

Who recorded the first video of the West African seahorse in the wild?

• Steve Irwin

• David Attenborough

• Kate West

• Jane Goodall

What is a major concern for the West African seahorse population?

• Harvesting for traditional medicine

• Climate change

• Pollution

• Overfishing

Approximately how many seahorses are used in the traditional medicine trade each year?

• 50 million

• 200 million

• 100 million

• 150 million

What makes it difficult to study the West African seahorse?

• Their rapid swimming speed

• Their nocturnal nature

• Poor visibility and rough diving conditions

• Their small size

Since when has the West African seahorse been on the IUCN Red List?

• 2010

• 2002

• 1998

• 2015

What color is the West African seahorse?

• Yellow

• Blue

• Reddish brown

• Green