Top 10 Animals Nearing Extinction in Africa

The continent of Africa is a favorite destination for many tourists. The visit isn’t exactly because of the pristine beaches and the like. It is about animals.

With more than 1,100 different mammal species and over 2,600 species of birds, no other continent offers a diverse spectrum of wildlife in proximity like Africa.

The famous Africa Safari is usually for the thrill of seeing the Big 5 – the lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and the buffalo. In fact, four of the five fastest animals alive on earth live in Africa.

There is one problem though, soon these animals will be extinct as most of them are affected by the harsh environment, poaching, among other reasons. Their numbers are gradually decreasing.

• Wild Dog

The wild dog is perhaps one of the most critically endangered carnivores in Africa. The population stands at 5000, of which a little over 1000 are adults.

The painted hunting dog live and hunt in packs. They are very social and spectacular. Human interference is partly to blame for their reduction in numbers.

• Mountain Gorilla

It is one of the subspecies of the eastern gorilla and is natives to central Africa regions including Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda. Mountain gorilla is critically endangered.

Despite numerous efforts to ensure their safety, these animals are far from saving. They are diminishing as a result of habitat loss, poaching, and war. By 2018, only about 800 mountain gorillas remained the world. The numbers have, however, slightly grown to about 1000.

• Black Rhino

They are among the most illegally poached animals in Africa. These eastern and central Africa natives are distinguished by an upper lip that is hooked and two or three horns used to dig for food. Their horns are used for international illegal trading.

By 2018, there were about 4000 black rhinos remaining in the world. Thanks to conservation efforts, today we have a population of 5,600. Nonetheless, three of its subspecies are already extinct.

• Cheetah

Known as the fastest animal in the world, this animal is part of the cat family and is sadly on the endangered list. Cheetahs are popular in the Savannah. They hunt by day and the males form groups while the females most choose to remain loners.

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There are doubts about the survival of this cat. In 2018, the estimated population of cheetahs around the world was between 9,000 and 12,000. Now there are about 7,100 of them living in the wild.

• Giraffes

Giraffes are not entirely endangered but their population is rapidly decreasing. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources note that these animals are at a risk of disappearing. Over the last three decades, the population of giraffes has reduced from 36 percent to 40 percent.

Habitat loss and poaching are the attributed reasons. Currently, their population is estimated at 111,000.

• Riverine Rabbit

Reproducing only once a year, this species of rabbits is critically endangered and they are fast disappearing in South Africa. Predation, human interference, and habitat destruction are responsible for the decrease in number.

Only 500 living adult riverine rabbits are predicted to be extant.

• Blue Crane

The bird is commonly found in South Africa. The bird is also endangered based on the statistics that their numbers have reduced by 90 percent in the last twenty years. There are only about 25 000 Blue Cranes left in the world, about half of which can be found in the Cape Overberg.

The destruction of their habitats and other human factors like poisoning are responsible for the decrease.

• Green Turtle

The green turtle traverses’ oceans to feed and to nest. It is the last surviving species of the largest sea turtles. They have a lifespan of 75 years and they take 69 years to reach maturity.

Their population has, however, gradually declined despite their laying off between 100 to 150 eggs in a nest. The estimates of the number of nesting females based on nesting beach monitoring reports and publications showed that there were between 85,000 and 90,000 nesting females in 2004.

Over-harvesting of their eggs, fishing impacts, and loss of niches due human habitation are factors that have reduced their numbers.

• The White Antelope/Addax

They are the most endangered animals in Africa. Fewer than 500 individuals are thought to exist in the wild today, most of the animals being found between the Termit area of Niger.

The numbers continue to decrease due to hunting. Drought is another factor since their diet is mainly grass and herbs. They are also nomadic and they rest under shades.

• Ethiopian Wolf

With a population of less than 500, the Ethiopian wolves are also disappearing. Only a few hundreds can be accounted for. It is the only wolf species found in Africa and like the others, they travel and hunt in packs.

All over the world, animals are disappearing. Orangutans, chimpanzees, tigers, lions, among others, are slowly decreasing in numbers. At the end of the day, human interference is to blame.