What are the origins of this fun-filled festive custom?
In the 1960s, the white rhino’s numbers increased drastically due to conservation efforts. But increased poaching on the African continent has resulted in endangerment once again.
The white rhino is noticeably larger than the black rhino, and has square lips. The northern subspecies has only two confirmed living rhinos, both female and in captivity. The last known male northern white rhino died in Kenya in 2018.
Between 1970 and 1990, more than 96% of the black rhino population was decimated due to poaching. Now these glorious animals can only be found as far north as Kenya.
The black rhino is actually gray in color and is native to sub-Saharan Africa. There are only an estimated 3,142 remaining black rhinos, while most of its subspecies have gone extinct.
The bamboo plant is used in a variety of different ways by local Madagascan populations. As such, slash-and-burn agriculture has caused the lemur to become increasingly threatened.
This primate species is indigenous to south-eastern Madagascar and has a penchant for consuming bamboo, hence its name. Sadly, fewer than 250 golden bamboo lemurs can still be found in the wild.
This species of penguins are the only ones to be found in Africa. Their numbers have dropped due to depleted fish stocks in the area, a result of overfishing and climate change.
Although the African penguin tends to be a staple of the South African coastline, the species' numbers have plummeted drastically in recent years.
This is one of the world’s most recognizable animals, and it is also the tallest land mammal. There are nine subspecies of giraffe, each one occupying its own part of the African continent. But the most endangered of them all is the West African giraffe, with only 400 remaining in the wild.
The West African giraffe is particularly native to southwestern Niger, and its loss in numbers can be attributed to habitat loss, illegal hunting, and conflict with humans.
The only wolf species on the continent is the Ethiopian wolf, Africa’s most endangered carnivore. It is similar to the coyote in size and build. There are fewer than 440 individuals remaining.
Diseases carried by domestic dogs have been primarily attributed for the wolf’s drop in population, as well as loss of habitat to farmland.
The African elephant is the largest land animal in the world, and is divided into two species: forest and savanna elephants. These species are two of only three elephant species in the whole world, all of which are in danger of going extinct.
Much like the rhino, the primary threats to elephants include poaching and loss of habitat. Elephants also take a long time to reproduce, with an elephant pregnancy lasting up to 22 months. This presents difficulties for their species to recover.
The geometric tortoise is a beautiful yellow and black reptile native to the south-western Cape of South Africa. There are fewer than 800 of them left.
Like most species on this list, the geometric tortoise’s loss of population can be blamed on human activity resulting in habitat loss.
Even though the dolphin species tends to avoid humans, the population of the species is still threatened by human-caused habitat degradation.
The Atlantic humpback dolphin is a marine mammal that lives along Africa’s west coast. The species is known to be shy and elusive, and only 1,500 remain in the wild.
There are two major gorilla species in Africa: the eastern gorilla and western gorilla, both of which are critically endangered. There are only about 2,600 eastern gorillas left, while one of its subspecies, the mountain gorilla, has only 600 remaining.
The western gorilla is decreasing tremendously in population. One particular subspecies has only 250 gorillas remaining. Threats to gorillas include human-borne diseases, habitat loss, and hunting.
This species of chameleon, most recognizable by its large nose, is native to the northern parts of Madagascar. The chameleon’s remaining population is fragmented, and there are no concrete indications as to how many are left.
Much like the golden bamboo lemur, the chameleon’s Madagascan habitat is threatened by slash-and-burn agriculture. Other threats include logging, fires, and cattle grazing.
The Table Mountain ghost frog is native to Table Mountain National Park in South Africa. The size of its habitat is incredibly restricted, having only been found on the slopes of the mountain.
This frog’s tadpoles live in permanent water streams on the mountain, but these streams are continually drying up due to the establishment of pine plantations in the area.
The Madagascar pochard is a duck that can be found in a very limited area in the north-west of Madagascar. Its population is critically low, with only about 50 left in the wild.
The species was thought to be extinct in the late 1990s, but it was rediscovered in 2006. The wetlands that the pochard calls home have been largely degraded due to rice growing and other forms of human disturbance.
The African wild dog is a wild canine native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is the largest wild canine in Africa, and there are only about 6,600 adults remaining.
The canine species requires a large area to hunt for prey, and due to encroaching human settlements the habitat that they occupy has become increasingly smaller.
The riverine rabbit has an extremely limited area of distribution in the Karoo Desert of South Africa. One of the most endangered mammals in the world, the species has fewer than 200 adults remaining.
Up to 60% of the rabbit’s habitat has been lost over the last century due to agriculture and climate change.
Sources: (IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) (WWF)
See also: Climate change—how extreme weather is affecting our world
It is not a secret that a lot of animals have faced extinction over the years. In fact, the famed dodo bird is a popular example of how entire species of animals can cease to exist if their habitats are threatened. But there are millions of wildlife species around the world, and keeping up with the most endangered of them all can be a struggle. Not to mention that Africa alone has the most animal species of any continent on Earth.
Shining the spotlight on African animals, which ones are on the endangered list? Click through this gallery to find out.
The most endangered animals in Africa
How endangered are certain species in today's world?
LIFESTYLE Wildlife
It is not a secret that a lot of animals have faced extinction over the years. In fact, the famed dodo bird is a popular example of how entire species of animals can cease to exist if their habitats are threatened. But there are millions of wildlife species around the world, and keeping up with the most endangered of them all can be a struggle. Not to mention that Africa alone has the most animal species of any continent on Earth.
Shining the spotlight on African animals, which ones are on the endangered list? Click through this gallery to find out.