Africa’s unique wildlife faces mounting threats, with species like the Nguru spiny pygmy chameleon, Whale shark and African Wild Dog among the endangered animals on a global ‘watch list’ compiled by Fauna & Flora, an international nature conservation group.
The 2025 list highlights 10 species at risk of extinction as conservationists work to ensure their survival against challenges like habitat destruction, climate change and hunting.
The Nguru spiny pygmy chameleon, native to the montane forests of Tanzania, is small enough to fit on a paper clip. It relies on leaf litter and low vegetation for survival.
However, its existence is being threatened by agricultural expansion, logging and illegal poaching for the pet trade. Conservation efforts aim to safeguard its habitat and curb these activities.
The Whale shark, the largest fish on the planet, is found in African coastal waters such as Mozambique and Madagascar. These gentle giants, which can grow up to 18m long, are threatened by targeted fishing, accidental net entanglements and warming oceans.
Fauna & Flora is collaborating with local communities and policymakers in regions including São Tomé and Príncipe to improve protections for Whale sharks and related species.
The African Wild Dog, another species native to the continent, is one of the world’s most endangered carnivores. With around 6 000 individuals remaining, habitat fragmentation and conflict with humans have driven their populations into steep decline. Efforts are under way to ensure their survival through habitat preservation and engagement with local communities.
The Fauna & Flora watch list also includes species from across the world, reflecting the urgency of addressing the biodiversity crisis globally.
Among the notable species are the critically endangered European mink, the Great Hornbill of South Asia and the Antillean manatee from the Americas.
Kristian Teleki, Chief Executive of Fauna & Flora, emphasised the critical need for action: “The nature loss crisis has never been more urgent, with countless species at risk of extinction globally – threatening ecosystems essential for human survival, including food water and livelihoods.”
However, Teleki said "glimmers of progress and hope" in 2024 included breakthroughs in aligning nature and climate at UN conferences and formalising the vital roles of indigenous peoples and local communities in conservation policy and decision-making.
