Africa boasts a rich array of different animals in nature, but many species face endangerment due to human expansion and poaching. Yet, conservation efforts offer hope.
National parks and reserves serve as crucial havens for the survival of the wildlife, offering glimpses of these majestic creatures. The following are a few of the most endangered species found in Africa.
- Black Rhino
The black rhino, also known as the hook-lipped rhino, faces dire threats from poaching for its horn, leading to population declines. In 2011, the Western black rhino subspecies was officially declared extinct.
With just over 5,600 individuals remaining, efforts in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Kenya focus on habitat protection, monitoring, and stricter penalties for poachers.
As a keystone species, preserving black rhinos is crucial for maintaining ecosystem balance, driving intensive conservation measures.
- African Elephant
In the 1970s, Africa boasted 1.3 million elephants, but today, fewer than 30,000 remain in the wild. Rampant poaching for ivory, driven by the ivory trade, has decimated elephant populations by around 90% over the past century.
International bans on the trade of ivory haven’t stopped illicit poaching. Although conservation initiatives, such as those in Kenya, have resulted in population increases, conflicts between humans and wildlife continue because of urbanization and droughts brought on by climate change, underscoring the continuous struggle to ensure the survival of these iconic animals.
- Gorilla
Both the Eastern and Western gorillas, listed as Critically Endangered, face grave threats, including poaching, habitat loss from logging and agriculture, human conflict, and diseases. The Cross River gorilla, a Western gorilla subspecies, is especially imperiled, with a population reduced to 200-300 adults.
Population recovery is hindered by slow reproductive rates, with females birthing only every four to six years and breeding limited to three or four times in their lifetime.
Urgent conservation actions are essential to mitigate these multifaceted challenges and ensure the survival of these remarkable primates.
- Saharan Cheetah
The Saharan cheetah, facing significant habitat loss and hunting pressure, now occupies only 10% of its historical range. With populations confined to Algeria, Niger, and scattered patches across the Sahara and Sahel, their numbers have dwindled to fewer than 250 individuals.
Agricultural expansion further reduces prey availability, exacerbating the plight of this critically endangered feline outside the realm of “Big Cats.”
- African Wild Dog
Also known as the African painted dog or African hunting dog, this critically endangered species ranks as the second most endangered carnivore in Africa.
Highly social, they are profoundly impacted by habitat changes and fragmentation. Illegal poaching and wildlife trading, coupled with accidental entrapment in snares intended for other animals, pose significant threats to the survival of African-painted dogs.
Despite their speed, they face challenges from human conflicts, diseases like rabies, and competition with larger predators. With fewer than 550 individuals in southern Africa and parts of East Africa, intensified conservation efforts are imperative to safeguard this rare mammal, even though snare hunting is illegal in South African wildlife reserves.
In addition to the above, the African Penguin, North African Ostrich, Dama Gazelle, Egyptian Tortoise, Sahara Aphanius, Hirola Antelope, Riverine Rabbit, Grey Parrot and Ethiopian Wolf are also falling under the same category.
