| Are you excited for your African Safari? Are you | | | | even close to Kilimanjaro. Already expected to be |
| waiting in anticipation to see the grandeur of the | | | | extinct in many African countries, this endangered |
| rhinoceros or the sheer size of the great | | | | species has an estimated population of 5500 |
| elephant? If you are, then you better act quickly | | | | worldwide with only 400 of those residing in South |
| because according to recent findings and research, | | | | Africa. The reason why these animals are so |
| these animals are only some of the wildlife that is | | | | highly endangered is because of factors such as |
| on the endangered species list in South Africa | | | | infectious disease, habitat fragmentation and |
| Endangered species are animals that are | | | | conflict with our species. |
| categorized according to how threatened they are | | | | A wildlife species many of us are fascinated with |
| in relation to becoming extinct. In terms of wildlife | | | | but are unfortunately endangered is the African |
| animals that we would normally spot on our Sabi | | | | Elephant. The sad truth is that this elephant is also |
| Sands safari, animals like the Black Rhinoceros are | | | | feature on the vulnerable list and is an endangered |
| "critically endangered" and are in high risk of | | | | species. This larger than life animal can be found in |
| becoming extinct very soon. The Black | | | | grasslands, deserts, forest and marshes and |
| Rhinoceros is found in dry areas like the desert to | | | | these majestic creatures are smarter than they |
| wetter areas like forests but their highest density | | | | come across. Unfortunately these animals have |
| occurs on the bushveld. This endangered species | | | | become endangered species also owing to the |
| with its poor eyesight but excellent hearing is in | | | | fact that they are killed for their ivory tusks. It is |
| danger of full extinction and sadly this is owing to | | | | estimated that at the beginning of the 19th |
| the fact that this species is in high demand for | | | | century, there was a population of as many as 27 |
| their endangered horns. They have been | | | | million elephants but the last figures taken in 2004 |
| vulnerable to extinction since the 1960s and when | | | | show that this number has depleted to as little as |
| last counted in 2003, South Africa had 1284 Black | | | | 402 000. |
| Rhino's. Other South African species that are | | | | So while you are sightseeing on your Kruger park |
| critically endangered are the Riverine Rabbit and | | | | Safari, make sure that you take a second to |
| the Golden Mole. | | | | really appreciate the animals that you see and |
| Next on the endangered species list is the | | | | know that it is more of a privileged than a right. |
| "endangered" section. The Wild Dog is a part of | | | | Make sure that you have the opportunity to see |
| this list as this dog shows a rapidly decreasing | | | | these creatures in their natural habitat before it's |
| population and is in serious danger of becoming | | | | too late and they become endangered species or |
| extinct. This endangered species is found in areas | | | | even worse, extinct. |
| of South Africa as well as the Sahara desert and | | | | |