10 Endangered and Critically Endangered African Animals
Africa is home to some of the most majestic and diverse wildlife on Earth — but many of these species are disappearing fast due to poaching, illegal wildlife trade, and shrinking habitats. Learn about ten endangered and critically endangered African animals and how conservation efforts are fighting to keep them alive.
What You Need to Know About Africa’s Wildlife Crisis
Africa’s animals are under pressure from habitat loss and poaching. Experts make a critical distinction:
- Trophy Hunting – legal and highly regulated; can fund habitat protection and anti-poaching programs when well managed.
- Poaching – illegal hunting for trade; kills breeding females and young, pushing species toward extinction.
Meet 10 Endangered and Critically Endangered African Animals
1. African Penguin
Nicknamed the “jackass penguin” for its bray-like call, fewer than 52,000 mature individuals remain. Overfishing, oil spills, and habitat loss devastate their colonies along South Africa and Namibia.
2. African Wild Dog
Once widespread, now fewer than 5,000 survive. Habitat fragmentation, disease outbreaks, and conflict with farmers drive their decline.
3. Black Rhino
Only about 4,900 left due to poaching for horns. Namibia and South Africa use tightly controlled hunting fees to fund rhino protection.
4. Chimpanzee
About 150,000 remain; extinct in Togo and The Gambia. Logging, bushmeat hunting, and Ebola outbreaks threaten their survival.
5. Ethiopian Wolf
Fewer than 500 survive in Ethiopia’s Bale Mountains. Rabies and shrinking alpine habitat put the world’s rarest canid at risk.
6. Grevy’s Zebra
Fewer than 2,500 remain in Kenya and Ethiopia. Water scarcity, disease, and grazing competition endanger this largest zebra species.
7. Mountain Gorilla
Only ~900 survive in Rwanda, Uganda, and DRC. Poaching and unrest threaten them, but eco-tourism funds bring hope.
8. Riverine Rabbit
One of the world’s rarest mammals — only about 250 remain in South Africa’s Karoo. Farming destroys its fragile habitat.
9. White Rhino
Still more numerous than black rhinos, but the northern subspecies has just five individuals left. Poaching remains relentless.
10. Rothschild’s Giraffe
Fewer than 700 remain in Uganda and Kenya. Habitat loss and poaching have left them in small, isolated groups.
