Wildlife in South Africa is abundant, with almost 300 mammal species. South Africa's Big Five. Pinterest . Because of its nocturnal nature, it can only exist in the Karoo region. Africa is home to many of the world's most famous animals. The oribi is not critically endangered but its population size is growing smaller. An Oribi Working Group has been established within the Endangered Wildlife Trust to focus on their specific habitats and on conserving them. Current conservation efforts? The creature only survives in the deep silt deposits of the Karoo river. Major threats? Photo by Nobby Clarke, IUCN Red List status: Critically endangered. By eating off carcasses they prevent diseases from spreading amongst the animal kingdom. Endangered species of South Africa include everything from the gigantic hippopotamus to the miniscule white-tailed mouse. From 2006 to 2015, over a million pangolins were poached for traditional medicine, food, and tokens in Asia. As a response to this crisis, there are extensive … Pangolins are now one of the most endangered animals in Africa. Many farmers end up poisoning, shooting or trapping the cheetah culprits. Become a member of the African Association of Zoos and Aquaria. Endangered species found in South Africa: WhatsApp. As cheetahs aren’t aggressive animals, they’ll rather find dinner somewhere else than face a physical confrontation. We all know that the rhino is in a very vulnerable position – the western black rhino is already declared extinct and elephants are also constantly hunted for their ivory, but there are many less obvious animals that are currently endangered in South Africa. African animals list with pictures and facts. Unfortunately, many farmers don’t feel the same because cheetahs are smart enough to know that a sheep is a much easier catch than an antelope on the run. The Oribi It is the only antelope, and undeniably one of the cutest animals, on the list. Although their numbers seem high, you must remember that elephants were once widespread across the entire continent. The biggest threat to this beautiful cat is humans take over its living space. IUCN Red List status: Vulnerable Cheetah. The blue crane is South Africa’s national bird, and although there are small pockets and occasional breeding pairs found in neighbouring countries, they are mostly found in the Western Cape. Pickergill’s Reedfrog. Habitat loss, collision with electric wires, poisoning. Major threats? Other than some successes in Botswana and South Africa these magnificent animals are being lost due to human greed. Black Rhino (Diceros bicornis) The black rhino is one of many of Africa’s endangered species. Stay informed about mining developments in Mpumalanga. Because of this, there are fewer than 450 painted dogs left in South Africa. The Pickersgill’s reed frog is one of the most endangered amphibians in South Africa. The roots penetrate cracks in the stone and anchor it firmly in place, while the cylindrical leaves, up to 1.5m in length, hang vertically down. ; Juliana's Golden Mole (Amblysomus julianae). The University of Pretoria and Cape Town have both done extensive research on the habitat and survival of the golden moles. Pickergill’s Reedfrog The only frog on the list, Pickergill’s Reedfrog is considered to be critically endangered. The African penguins are the only penguins found on the African content. The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) has named the Pickersgill’s reed frog its flagship species for its amphibian conservation programme. Some even believe that … South Africa’s very first captive breeding project for the conservation of a threatened amphibian species has included the Pickersgill’s reed frog. TEN ENDANGERED ANIMALS IN SOUTH AFRICA 1. Also read: the battle for ethical farming in the Cederberg. Unfortunately, the Knysna estuary is also very important to South Africa’s fishing industry and the major industrial developments are proving challenging for the seahorse’s survival. Violent snaring of wild dogs is one of the most brutal ways of killing, and unfortunately this happens much too often in our wildernesses. With Kruger National Park drives, you will be seeing plenty of animals not on this list. VulPro is one of the leading Cape Vulture conservation organisations in the country. Facebook. Both have active guard dog programmes that place Anatolian shepherd dogs on farms to chase away predators. This delicate little creature, with a head like a horse and a tail with a perfect curl, occurs naturally in three estuaries around the country, namely Knysna, Swartvlei, and Keurbooms. There has long existed a very negative misconception around the African wild dog, or painted dog. Their territory has been reduced to a few … Also read: nine ways to stop elephant poaching before it’s too late. Major threats Pangolins feed on ants and termites with their long sticky tongues, and the mother carries her young infant on her back. Coastal development, habitat fragmentation, and draining of water used for agricultural and urban development. 1. Two of the wetland areas where they live are currently protected. Photo by Greg de Klerk. The Cheetah You might spot a cheetah while enjoying a Kruger Park safari, but did you know this is an endangered animal? The African elephant, aka Savanna Elephant, is the largest living terrestrial mammal in the world. The frog is tiny, only 3 cm in length, but the size of the creature should not be what determines its importance. How you can help Cheetah female – photo by Dumay de Boulle. These cheerful-looking birds occur mostly in the highland grasslands of the Drakensberg, a beautiful region, but also South Africa’s most threatened grassland biome. However, some endangered animals get more attention than others. Spotting an endangered animal is not only a memorable moment, but it is a reminder that we all have a duty to be, at the very least, concerned about these animals. The last century has been a disaster in terms of wildlife loss, with poaching and loss of habitat being the prime culprits, but efforts are in place to protect these beautiful creatures. By. Threatened Species: The following list includes all mammals which occur in South Africa and are rated as Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN) or Vulnerable (VU) in the 2004 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals.. Current conservation efforts Lions, zebras, giraffes, gorillas, hippos, crocodiles and rhinos are all found in the wild in the continent. Africa’s Endangered Species by the Numbers. The bulbs are situated … Although the Kruger National Park, and other national parks around the country, do their best to keep fences fixed, the occasional cheetah finds a way out. 241. They have two horns on their snouts the front horn is 50 cm long on average and it can grow up to 140 cm. Endangered – Critically endangered. The project is run by the African Association of Zoos and Aquaria. The continuous urban expansion is not helping either. The most endangered African animals: The Pygmy Blue Whale by millerm217 The Blue Whale is the largest known animal on earth, ever, reaching sizes larger than the prehistoric reptiles, the dinosaurs. Elephants are a symbol of Africa’s endangered animal species. Endangered animals – there’s more to this than rhinos! No one can deny the grace and beauty of the fastest land animal on earth. The park is one of the last places in the world where the wildlife is untouched and roaming free. Habitat loss and illegal hunting (poaching). They have already successfully reintroduced wild dogs into the park and hope to continue doing this great work. It’s called a specialist grazer because it doesn’t eat just any type of grass and therefore it’s incredibly vulnerable to habitat loss. See Africa’s Endangered Animals on Safari There are several animal species that are among the world’s tallest, fastest or even tiniest animals such as the majestic giraffe, the speedy cheetah or the tiny pygmy shrew. May 4, 2018 Written by Thomson Safaris. In South Africa, the only viable population exists in the Kruger National Park, and the Endangered Wildlife Trust has sponsored a major monitoring and reintroduction programme here. The Riverine Rabbit (Bunolagus monticularis) is one of the world's rarest and most endangered mammals and is South Africa's most endangered wildlife species. Sadly, they are endangered. The Blue Crane While you won’t see this bird in the Kruger National Park, the blue crane is South Africa’s national bird. Major threats? You may not see them often, but these tiny diggers are on their way to extinction. This is largely due to decades of habitat fragmentation, infectious diseases, and both accidental and targeted killings by humans. A very rare and unusual plant found in Krantzkloof is the Green Medusa Lily – Drimia flagellaris, which was discovered in Krantzkloof about 10 years ago and now known to occur only in one other location. What you might not know is that it is far from the only vulnerable animal that you might spot during your Kruger Park drives. We have put together a list of our top 5 endangered animals in Africa you can see while on a safari or overland tour with us. SANParks are doing their bit to restrict further urban development around the Knysna estuary. Twitter. The cheetah is known as the fastest animal in the world. South Rift Galaxy Safaris - February 28, 2019. 0. Pickergill’s Reed Frog – critically endangered. They launched a breeding and rehabilitation project fairly recently and the first captive bred vulture chick hatched on 1 September last year at the Johannesburg Zoo. Juliana’s golden moles are currently protected in the southwestern area of the Kruger National Park (Mpumalanga), and in the Nylsvley Nature Reserve in the Northern Province. Mainly found in South and Central Africa, it is the world’s most trafficked animal today. Should they not be taken care of, the future generations will only see them in pictures. IUCN Red List status: Critically endangered. The population numbers of the Blue Whale are more difficult to estimate and predict compared too many of the Earth’s amazing creatures. All wildlife is special. By Jessica Phelan. Cape Vultures are only found in Southern Africa, limiting the already decreasing population. When you visit any national park in South Africa, you are aiding conservation by helping the park not only with funding but with awareness. Keep in mind that farmers are only one of the reasons the populations are declining. Major threats? Google+. They are endemic to South Africa, in the area near Dullstroom in Mpumalanga to the northern section of the Eastern Cape and also a small section of Lesotho. They’re working hard to implement ways of making power lines more visible to blue cranes. Habitat loss due to commercial livestock farming in the areas where they stay. There are many conservation organisations spread out around Africa that are working hard to protect the African wild dog in its natural habitat. Hundreds of thousands of rhinos, and lions and millions of elephants wandered nearly every region of the continent except the uninhabitable deserts. How you can help Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Of countless incredible wildlife images, with almost 300 mammal species private landowners to participate in conservation stewardship population of! 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