Threatened Species & Ecosystems 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SPECIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Riverine Rabbit

 

 

 

Bunolagus monticularis
The Riverine Rabbit is one of Southern Africa’s most endangered mammals. In fact, the latest edition of South Africa’s Red Data book lists the species as critically endangered. Not surprising, when it’s estimated that there are less than 250 adult rabbits left in the wild!
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Oribi  

 

 

 

Ourebia ourebi
The Oribi is a highly-evolved antelope species inhabiting temperate African grasslands. Due to the ever increasing loss of their grassland habitat and continued persecution by man, Oribi numbers in South Africa have declined sharply in recent years with more than 25% of the population having disappeared since 1981.
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Cranes  

 

 

 

Bugeranus carunculatus; Anthopoides paradiseus; Balearica regulorum
All three of South Africa's crane species are threatened with extinction. These elegant birds are amongst the tallest flying birds, with long legs and necks and distinctive head and facial features. They are extremely valuable indicator species for the condition of our grasslands and wetlands. The Wattled Crane is Critically Endangered (235 left) while the Blue and Grey-Crowned Cranes are classified as Vulnerable.
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Blue Swallow

 

 

 

Hirundo atrocaerulea
Blue Swallows are intra-African migrants with breeding populations in South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania. During non-breeding seasons these feathered travellers migrate to Uganda, Kenya, DRC and Tanzania, and have even been spotted as far north as Kidepo Valley National Park in north-eastern Uganda.
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African Grass Owl

 

 

 

Tyto capensis
Classified as vulnerable in South Africa, the African Grass Owl has lost valuable habitat through industrialisation and urbanisation. Grass Owls closely resemble the more common Barn Owl, Tyto alba, but are larger, have darker brown colouring and a rounder facial disk.
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Oxpeckers

 

 

 

Buphagus africanus; Buphagus erythrorhynchus
The Yellow-billed Oxpecker Buphagus africanus and Red-billed Oxpecker Buphagus erythrorhynchus have a long history with mankind. These birds are associated with large animals such as antelopes, bovines, horses and rhinoceroses that supply them with ticks as a food source.
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Humpback Dolphins

 

 

 

Sousa chinensis
Humpback dolphins are a rare species that can be found along South Africa’s east coast. Most people are not familiar with the Humpback Dolphin, which looks quite similar to its better-known cousin, the Bottlenose Dolphin.
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Bats 

 

 

 

Bats are a critical part of many ecosystems in southern Africa. From an environmental and economic perspective, they play an important role by eating harmful insects and pollinating plants. This positive role that bats play is however, largely misunderstood.
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Wild Dogs

 

 

 

Lycaon pictus
Southern Africa's most endangered carnivore and one of the most endangered carnivore species in the world, the Wild Dog, is the flagship species of the Carnivore Conservation Group.
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Honey Badgers 

 

 

 

Mellivora capensis
The Honey Badger or ‘ratel’ is a tenacious small carnivore that has a reputation for being, pound for pound, Africa's most fearless animal despite its small size. It is even listed as the 'most fearless animal in the world' in the 2002 Guinness Book of Records!
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Ground Hornbills

 

 

 

Bucorvus leadbeateri
Southern Ground Hornbills are charismatic birds, easily identifiable by their appearance and signature call. Unfortunately, less than 1500 Ground Hornbills are left in South Africa. The species is classified as vulnerable in the Eskom Red Data Book of Birds of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland.
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Giant Bullfrog

 

 

 

Pyxicephalus adspersus
Giant Bullfrogs are the largest, and perhaps most intriguing, of the roughly 130 native southern African frog species! They inhabit open grassland areas that are based on poorly drained soils, since these promote the formation of rain-filled depressions, or pans, which are required for successful breeding.
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Source : Verbatim from https://www.ewt.org.za/species_default.aspx

 

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