Endangered Animals From Zambia

While many countries and continents are home to a variety of threatened and endangered species, Africa is home to many of the most known. A few of those animals (like the African Elephant) reside in the Republic of Zambia, a country in the southern half of Africa below the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Illegal animal trades, farming growth and weather have all played a part in the demise of the endangered animal population in the country.

African Wild Dog

The African Wild Dog is not only one of the endangered species in Zambia, it is also the most endangered mammal in all of Africa. One of the main reasons they are endangered today is because of their feeding habits. They move from one place to another in search of food, which means it is hard for them to stay in restricted environmental parks for their own protection. They usually leave the parks to find food on local farms, which is dangerous as the farmers try to protect their livestock by killing the wild dogs. Habitat loss has impacted this species and others harshly in Zambia.

Shoebill Stork

The Shoebill stork is one of many birds listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species from Zambia. Although it is currently listed as "vulnerable," which is one step above "endangered" and below "near threatened," the population of this bird is dwindling. There are only between 5,000 and 8,000 of these marsh-loving creatures left in Africa. Reasons for its demise are hunting, bird trading and habitat destruction, as fire and drought threaten the Zambian population.

Black Rhino

One of the most endangered creatures in Africa is the black rhino. These majestic beasts were nearly wiped out by poaching, because their horn was valued for Chinese medicines and other uses like jewelry and knife handles. Conservation efforts have been made because their numbers dropped by over 90 percent over the last 60 years. In 2009, their numbers are rising gradually, and although they were once extinct in Zambia, they have been recently reintroduced to this African country.

African Elephant

One of the most popular animals in Africa is also listed on the endangered species list, although it is currently listed as "near threatened." The elephant population has been rising due to conservation efforts, but the elephants are still being hunted for their tusks and they are still losing out to habitat loss and destruction. African Elephants inhabit over 35 countries in Africa, including Zambia.

Ansell's Shrew

Ansell's Shrew, which is a mouse-like creature that only lives in Zambia and nowhere else in the world, is classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List. The animal can be found in evergreen forests along the rivers in Zambia, including the Zambezi River. Habitat destruction is a major threat to these small creatures, as more farmers begin to take over land near the river. Not much is known about this animal because they are hard to find, and only four specimens have been found--the last one in 1990.

Hippopotamus

The hippo is another recognizable animal that is on the endangered species list. However, the hippo is currently listed as "vulnerable" as opposed to "endangered," although its numbers are decreasing. In Zambia, these animals live near the Zambezi river, which is a problem because of increased farming and habitat loss. The main problem for the hippo, though, is illegal hunting for meat and for their ivory teeth. In the Congo, just north of Zambia, the population has decreased by 90% because of conflict within the country.

References

• IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
• African Wild Dog Conservation
• Zambia Wildlife Endangered Species

Resources

• African Wildlife Foundation