Animal life ( from southern Africa )
The semiarid plains and plateaus that cover much of the region contain animals commonly associated with the East African plains e.g., antelope, gazelle, elephant, and the big cats. However, different animals are found in the coastal woodlands of South Africa and in the desert regions to the north and northwest. Many habitats have been extensively modified by agriculture, thus restricting the ranges of certain species that were formerly more widespread. Most of the endangered species (i.e., those under immediate threat of extinction) in southern Africa are mammals, especially large mammals, but, if vulnerable species are included, some reptiles are also threatened. Endangered species include the giant golden mole (Chrysopalax trevelyani), riverine rabbit (Bunolagus monticularis), and Cape mountain zebra, all of which are found only in South Africa; the black-faced impala in Namibia; the sable antelope from Angola; and the black rhinoceros, which is mainly restricted to Zimbabwe. The only endangered bird is the Cholo alethe found in Malaŵi.
Vulnerable mammals include another species of zebra, the Hartmann’s mountain zebra of Namibia, as well as the cheetah, brown hyena, lechwe, African elephant, African wild dog, and bontebok. The Smith’s dwarf chameleon and the geometric tortoise, found in the Cape region, are vulnerable species of reptile, as is the Nile crocodile, found along the Zambezi. The Cape platanna, an aquatic frog, is also vulnerable.
Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra) number fewer than 500 and are almost entirely restricted to the Mountain Zebra National Park in South Africa. The geometric tortoise (Psammobates geometricus) is found only in the Cape region. Its near extinction has been brought about by the destruction of its habitat by agricultural and urban expansion—less than 5 percent of its natural range remains. The best-known vulnerable and endangered species are the African elephant (Loxodonta africana) and black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis). In both cases, hunting and poaching for ivory in the case of elephants and potions and dagger handles (popular in Yemen) in the case of the black rhinoceros have significantly reduced their numbers.
Conservation measures are variable in their application. Namibian wildlife officers have begun to saw off rhino horns to make them less attractive to poachers, although most southern African countries oppose the ban on the ivory trade. There are 16 large national parks and game reserves in the area, as well as many smaller ones. Most of them are located in the open or partially wooded plains, the most famous being South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
[tags]animal, africa, life, south[/tags]
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