How to Help the Endangered Wildlife in Africa

Take a look at the hard facts about 5 endangered and critically endangered African wildlife species that you can still sight on safari in Africa. This is a quick overview of where in Africa you can see these rare wild animals and how many of each is left in the wilderness. Also, find out the status of each animal, according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

5 of The Most Endangered Animals in Africa

Riverine Rabbit - Critically Endangered since 2003 - 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. Critically Endangered since 2003, this rare rabbit is an important species for measuring ecosystem health.

Photo credit: Riverine-Rabbit-Wildmoz.com

Ethiopian Wolf - Endangered since 2004 - The Ethiopian Wolf (Canis simensis) is one of the rarest canid species in the world. Also known as the Simien Jackal or Simien Fox, in 1996 the Ethiopian Wolf was listed as Critically Endangered, but in 2004 it was reclassified as Endangered.

Black Rhino - Critically Endangered since 1996 -Three subspecies of Black Rhino remain, with the fourth (West African black rhino) declared extinct in 2011, in the savanna habitats of central-west Africa where it once existed.

Photo credit: wwf.panda.org

Grevy's Zebra - Endangered since 1986 - espite its ability to stand six minutes after birth and run within an hour, Grevy's Zebra has been endangered since 1986 and was still classified as such in 2013.

Photo credit: nature.ca

Pickergill’s Reedfrog - Critically Endangered since 2010 - Listed as Critically Endangered since re-assessment in 2010, Hyperolius pickersgilli (Pickergill’s Reed Frog) was first classified as endangered in 2004. This critically endangered reed frog is a habitat specialist, found only on 9km² of the earth's surface in total. This elusive, shy amphibian is found in highly fragmented and declining wetland habitats within a narrow 16km stretch along the KwaZulu-Natal Province coastline in South Africa.

Photo credit: jhbzoo.org.za

African Wild Dog - Endangered since 1990 - Also known as the Painted Hunting Dog and Cape Hunting Dog, this canid is Africa's second most endangered carnivore.