Africa is one of the most biodiverse continents on Earth, but it is also a place where many animals face enormous threats to their survival. Pollution, habitat destruction, overgrazing, and deforestation are all major reasons for the sharp decline in animal populations. In Africa, the problem of both legal and illegal hunting (poaching) must also be added, pushing many animals to the brink of extinction.
Currently, animals facing extinction threats in Africa include: white rhinoceros, African elephant, African wild ass, pygmy hippopotamus, cheetah, chimpanzee, gorilla, giraffe, blind snake, Eljero monitor lizard, and leatherback tortoise . We will introduce each of these in turn below.
1. White rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum)
Despite its name, the white rhinoceros is actually gray or light brown in appearance. It is mainly distributed in southern Africa and parts of central Africa (south of Sudan).
White rhinoceroses have long been prized by hunters, and their horns are particularly sought after illegally. According to some ancient superstitions, rhinoceros horns are believed to possess "miraculous medicinal properties," leading to their extremely high price and making them a major commodity in the black market. Although strict protection laws exist today, poaching continues.
2. African elephant (Loxodonta africana)
African elephants are the largest land animals in the world, larger than Asian elephants, and have much larger ears and tusks.
However, it is precisely because of ivory that these enormous creatures have been hunted relentlessly for centuries. Although the international ivory trade has been banned (except for some antique ivory artworks), the illegal ivory market persists , posing the greatest threat to African elephants.
3. African wild ass (Equus africanus)
Unlike lions and elephants, the African wild ass is not widely known, but it is one of Africa's most endangered animals. Its numbers are extremely small, and it is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Today, they exist only in a small area on the border of Ethiopia and Eritrea, with limited habitat and difficulty in breeding.
4. Pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis)
The pygmy hippopotamus is a small hippopotamus species that mainly inhabits the forest wetlands of the Gulf of Guinea. In the past, they had a wide range, but due to deforestation and human expansion, their global population is now less than 3,000 , and they are listed as an endangered species.
5. Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)
Cheetahs are the fastest land animals in the world, capable of running at speeds exceeding 100 km/h. They are found in the African savanna and parts of Asia.
However, due to habitat shrinkage and poaching , the cheetah population has declined sharply and it has been listed as a vulnerable species.
6. Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes)
There are four subspecies of chimpanzees, all of which are threatened. The main reason is the burning and deforestation of their habitat—tropical rainforests—for conversion into farmland. Today, chimpanzees exist only in central Africa and the western Gulf of Guinea.
7. Gorilla
Gorillas share similar habitats with chimpanzees and therefore face the same threats: deforestation and poaching . They currently exist only in a few areas of central Africa, particularly the Congo Basin.
8. Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)
Giraffes were only recently officially listed as an endangered species. Their numbers have declined by more than 40% over the past 30 years. Experts fear their numbers will continue to plummet due to ongoing poaching and land development.
9. Blind snake (Blanus cinereus)
The blind snake is a burrowing reptile with a wide global distribution, but it is endangered in parts of Africa. Its numbers are threatened by habitat destruction, although it is currently listed as "Least Concern" globally.
10. El Yero Monitor (Gallotia simonyi machadoi)
This monitor lizard is native to Eljero Island in the Canary Islands, geographically located in African waters. Its population has drastically declined due to long-term hunting, and it is listed as a critically endangered species . Currently, protected areas and captive breeding programs have been established to prevent its extinction.
11. Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
Leatherback sea turtles are the largest sea turtles in the world, found in tropical and subtropical waters, including the western and southern coasts of Africa.
Despite international protection, leatherback sea turtles are still illegally hunted in some areas, and their shells and meat are sold at high prices in some Asian countries. This makes them one of the most endangered marine reptiles.
How to save endangered animals in Africa?
Protecting these species requires a combined effort of government policies and public participation :
Government and international organization level
We will crack down on poaching and illegal trade.
Establish and expand nature reserves to protect key habitats.
Implement a wildlife breeding and reintroduction program.
Promote environmental education and community protection projects.
Citizen level
Boycott illegal products related to ivory, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shells, etc.
Choose local, sustainable products and avoid products that damage rainforests (such as timber and palm oil of unknown origin).
Support environmental organizations, participate in volunteer activities, or donate to projects.
When traveling or visiting, respect wild animals and do not participate in hunting or inappropriate viewing activities.
Conclusion
Africa is a treasure trove of global biodiversity, but it is also one of the continents most severely affected by species extinction. From white rhinoceroses to leatherback turtles, the survival of these animals depends on human actions. Only through legal protection, international cooperation, and public participation can we preserve their future.
