ENDANGERED Species Day is celebrated each year on the third Friday of May. Landing on May 19 in 2023, the day serves to raise awareness of endangered species and to celebrate conservation efforts to help these species recover.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature has created a red list of endangered species from all over the world that face human-induced threats to their survival daily.
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In an effort to conserve the listed animals, Getaway has selected some South African endangered animals from the red list. Here are five endangered South African animals and how they are affected.
1. Pickersgill’s reed frog
Pickersgill’s reed frog is one of the most endangered amphibians in South Africa. It’s endemic to the coastline of KwaZulu-Natal where their numbers are shockingly low and vastly spread out along the coast.
Major threats
Coastal development, habitat fragmentation and draining of water used for agricultural and urban development.
2. Cape vulture
The essence of being a vulture is to clean up, and therefore, do good. By eating off carcasses, they prevent diseases from spreading amongst the animal kingdom. Cape vultures are only found in Southern Africa, limiting the already decreasing population.
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Major threats
Loss of habitat, electrocution on pylons or collision with cables, and unintentional poisoning.
3. Blue Crane
The Blue Crane is South Africa’s national bird, and although there are small pockets and occasional breeding pairs found in neighbouring countries, they are mostly found in the Western Cape. Because they have a blind spot in their vision, they tend to collide with powerlines, and since they have very long, dangly legs, they get entangled in the wires.
Major threats
Habitat loss, collision with electric wires, poisoning.
4. Riverine rabbit
This little nocturnal rabbit can only be found in the Karoo regions and is currently the most endangered mammal in South Africa. It only lives in the deep silt floodplains of seasonal Karoo rivers and can’t be found anywhere else in the world, making it incredibly vulnerable to habitat loss.
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Major threats
Loss of habitat due to cultivation and livestock farming.
5. Golden mole
Golden Moles rank surprisingly high on the list of most endangered animals in South Africa, with five different species reaching the top ten most endangered mammals in the country. You may not see them often, but these tiny diggers are on their way to extinction.
Major threats
The development (mining and agriculture) of South Africa’s grasslands.
Source: https://www.getaway.co.za/
Conservational efforts are in place to help save these animals, and the public is invited to join the Endangered Wildlife Trust to either donate money or support an event. More information can be found on their website.
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