The annual Red List is the most comprehensive guide to the world’s endangered species. It is compiled on the back of the work of thousands of scientists, and it documents 47,677 different species at risk, providing information on those most endangered and those that have become extinct.

It is a shocking reminder of just how much impact human activities are having on the biodiversity of the world, and should be a wake-up call for us all.

Amphibians Fare the Worst

Of all the groups of animals, it is the amphibians that seem to be facing the biggest threat. Out of 6,285 amphibians on the list, 1,895 of these are in serious danger. The list also documents 5,490 mammal species, 79 of which are extinct in the wild, 188 of which are critically endangered and 449 of which are endangered.

Reptiles are also under increasing threat. There are 293 new reptiles on the list since last year, and 1,677 of the total number are threatened, with 469 facing extinction and 22 thought to be extinct.

A Third of Species at Threat

The list reveals that over a third of all the species on the list are now threatened with extinction. Of the 47,677 at risk, 17,291 of these are thought to be threatened. This includes 21% of mammals, 30% of amphibians, 70% of plants and 35% of invertebrates. It’s clear from these startling figures that if more is not done then we could well see a mass extinction within the next few decades.

Kihansi Spray Toad

Kihansi Spray Toad

One species to get special attention in the report was the Kihansi Spray Toad. This tiny toad is now thought to be extinct in the wild, even though it was only discovered in 1996. It is only found at the Kihansi waterfall in Tanzania, and as recently as June 2003 there were about 21,000 of them. Now, following the construction of a dam and the effects of a deadly fungus, they are thought to be extinct in the wild.

Plants Also Faring Badly

Although it is the animals on the list that may provoke the biggest reaction, there are now 12,151 plants included. These include the Queen of the Andes that is found in Peru and Bolivia. This nine-foot giant only seeds once every 80 years and then dies. It is now under increasing threat from climate change and the increase in cattle numbers.

More Needs to be Done

Conservationists are saying that not enough is being done to protect the biodiversity of the planet. It is clear that we are running out of time and that harmful human practices are leading to the extinction of thousands of species.

Mark Wright, the conservation science advisor at WWF-UK, said that “the continued and unprecedented loss of species must not be accepted as just a sad reality we can do nothing about. Biodiversity loss is an alarming indicator of the general health of our planet and of the well-being of our own species. We must act to halt this decline.”

International Union for Conservation of Nature

The Red List is available on the IUCN website.

What are Primates?

Primates consist of great apes, monkeys, lemurs and us. There are over 185 species of primates in the world, 51 of which are in Africa, although this could well go up as new discoveries are made every once in a while. The latest such discovery was a new species of mangabey monkey, the Highland Mangabey, found in the Udzungwa Mountains in the south of Tanzania in 2005.

Types of Primate

Great Apes

Silverback Gorilla

Great apes consist of gorillas, chimpanzees and orang-utans. All three of these species are endangered. They are characterised by not having tails and by walking on all fours along the ground on their knuckles. They are the most similar types of primate to ourselves.

Monkeys

Monkeys have highly developed brains and tails that can often grasp the branches of a tree like an extra limb. This makes them especially suited to living in the trees where they can move freely. They also have grasping hands that can be used to make tools.

Lemurs

Madagascar Lemur

Lemurs are only found in Madagascar. They are very small compared to other primates, and have eyes that face forwards which provides them with depth perception. They have tails like monkeys, but they cannot use them to grip onto things. Both their feet and their hands have opposable fingers and toes.

Characteristics

Primates are characterised as being socially complex creatures. They nearly always live in groups, where social activities are very important to them. This can include grooming, which is not just used for cleaning but for important social bonding.

Primates often have strict social hierarchies with alpha males leading the group. Social activities like grooming often follow this social pattern, with the less important animals grooming the ones that are higher up the rankings.

Primates are also known for their prehensile hands that are used for climbing trees, eating and making tools.

Where do they Live?

babboons

The vast majority of primates live in rainforests. This is because they are very much at home amidst the trees, which they often rely on for food and protection. There are only a few species that can survive quite happily away from trees, including chimpanzees and baboons. The latter are the most common types of primates that you are likely to see on a safari to Africa.

Best Places to See Them

Primates are found all over Africa. You can often find monkeys living quite happily in the trees in town centres, but some are a lot harder to find. Two of the most popular types of primates are gorillas and chimpanzees.

Gorillas

There are two species of gorilla – the mountain gorilla and the western lowland gorilla. Mountain gorillas are amongst the most endangered creatures on earth, and the are restricted to a few groups in Central Africa. If you want to see them then you should head on an organised gorilla safari to Uganda or Rwanda.

To see western lowland gorillas, head to Cameroon for the best chance to see them. The Dzangha Sanga Reserve in the south of the country is a great place to encounter them, as well as other primates.

Chimpanzees

Chimpanzees are more widely distributed than gorillas, and they too can be found in Cameroon. However, one of the best places to see them is in Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania. This is where Jane Goodall set up her research programme, the most important of its kind in the world.

Primate Conservation

There are a number of charities and organisations that you can support if you want to help the plight of primates across Africa and the world.

International Primate Rescue is one of the largest that works with all types of primates.

The Jane Goodall Institute was set up by Jane Goodall and supports the plight of chimpanzees.

Conservation International supports primates across the world, as well as working on other conservation programmes.

The Gorilla Organisation works to support gorillas in Africa and protect them from extinction.

Elephant Conservation

The African elephant is one of the most majestic animals on earth. Graceful, beautiful and unique, a world without them is almost too awful to imagine. But that is the stark possibility that was presented this week by experts in animal conservation at the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), who said that the African elephant could be extinct in the wild in as little as 15 years.

Dwindling Population

The population of African elephants today stands at about 600,000. This may seem like a fairly healthy number, but it is going down rapidly. Experts suggest that the population is now going down by as many as 38,000 each year, or 100 each day. And at this rate they only have a certain amount of time left.

The Ivory Trade

These figures have been worked out based on seizures of illegal tusks that have been found on their way to eastern markets. This is a trade that is growing rapidly after being brought relatively under control in recent years. In 2006 alone, 11 tonnes of ivory was seized on ships heading for the far east. The trade has grown so large that the amount of elephants being killed now outweigh the number being born.

Elephants are just one of the animals under threat from illegal poaching. The illegal trade in wildlife is currently valued at a staggering $12.5 billion.

Troubled History

The problem with the poaching of elephants is that the ban on ivory trading has been undermined over the years. 20 years ago, CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) introduced new measures that effectively made the ivory trade illegal. Enormous protection was given to elephants to prevent the vast drops in numbers that had been witnessed throughout the 1980s. During the space of ten years, the numbers went down from 1.2 million to 450,000.

Despite initial success, loopholes and new efforts by the pro-ivory industry have seen the trade rise again. One of the major problems is that sales of ivory from elephants that have died from natural causes are occasionally permitted. However, this only serves to fuel demand. On top of that, the recent economic crisis has made things even worse as anti-poaching efforts are scaled back.

The problem can be witnessed starkly in Zakouma National Park in Chad. As recently as 2005, there were 3,885 elephants here. This year that number has gone down to just 617.

New Regulation Needed

Now IFAW is calling for immediate action to combat the potential extinction of this incredible animal. It is calling on all members of CITES and the EU to stop its support for the ivory trade completely.

Kenya has proposed to extend the ‘resting period’ for ivory sales from nine to 20 years, and IFAW is asking for support for this initiative at the next CITES meeting in March 2010.

Support the IFAW

If you want to help the IFAW in its bid to save the elephant from imminent extinction, you can support it through its website. Not only will you be helping the plight of the elephants, but the fund also supports animal welfare initiatives across the globe, running projects in over 40 countries.

Elephant Tusks

Kenyan authorities have reported the discovery of a huge haul of illegal ivory that was destined to head to the Asian market. In total, 684 kilograms were seized at Nairobi Airport, comprising entirely of elephant tusks.

This is a huge haul that is worth millions of dollars on the black market. Kenya Wildlife Service also revealed that a similar sized haul was found in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia at the same time. Back in July, another large haul of ivory was found in Kenya, consisting of 16 elephant tusks and two rhino horns, suggesting that poaching and the illegal ivory trade is still thriving in East Africa.

Asian Connection

The most recent haul was destined to travel to Bangkok. The demand for ivory in Asia is very high, and China is an especially popular destination. Some experts believe that the increasing Chinese workers across Africa are playing a role in the growth of the trade in recent years. Many of them are on low salaries, and as a result they have turned into middle men for the potentially lucrative trade. Ivory sells for up to $1,000 a kilogram, making it a tempting proposition for many.

A Growing Trade

Ivory

So far this year, poachers in Kenya have killed 128 elephants for their ivory. This was up from last year when 98 elephants were killed. Although all killing of game has been outlawed since 2003 in the country, restrictions are occasionally lifted on a one-off basis, which only serves to exacerbate the problem.

How to Help

Elephants may not suffer from the same endangered status as other large mammals in Africa, such as mountain gorillas and rhinoceroses. But they are still under threat all across the continent due to poaching and problems caused when they come into contact with people.

Save the Elephants is one of the biggest and most active charities dedicated exclusively to the protection of elephants across Africa. The charity focuses on different key areas to protect the animals and ensure their continued survival.

These include research through such schemes as GPS tracking to gain a greater insight into the behaviour of the animals which can lead to new and more effective protection methods. They also focus on education at a grassroots level, working on the belief that the local communities are the best ambassadors for elephants as they share the land with the animals.

Another important aspect of the charity’s work is protection. Elephants are constantly at risk from the illegal ivory trade, and poaching is rife. In order to combat poaching, effective deterrents must be put in place. Radio tracking and aerial surveillance are used to combat illegal poaching, and it is initiatives like this that help to ensure the protection of the species.

There are many other charities that support elephant conservation, two of which are Born Free and ACF (African Conservation Foundation). Visit the websites to find out more about the plight of the elephants and to find out what you can do to help.

NTV Kenya

Crocodile at Grumeti River

Crocodiles are found all over the world. These prehistoric creatures are survivors, so perfectly adapted for their environment that they have hardly changed since the extinction of the dinosaurs. Here’s a brief guide to this ultimate predator.

Crocodile Facts

Although the Saltwater Crocodile in Australasia is the biggest of the 15 crocodile species, growing up to an immense seven metres in length, it is the Nile Crocodile of Africa that is the most feared. This is because Nile Crocodiles are sometimes responsible for human deaths across the continent in locations where villagers and crocodiles are forced to live side by side. As well as killing humans, they also kill livestock, making them a menace for many people.

The Nile Crocodile can grow up to 5.5 metres in length, although there are reports of some growing over 6 metres. They can weigh up to 1,000 kg, and in the wild they generally live up to 47 years of age.

Crocodiles have an incredible ability to stave off infections. Even though they are regularly injured in dirty water, they are often able to survive their injuries in a way that humans could not possibly manage. This is one of the key reasons behind their incredible survival abilities.

Crocodile Behaviour

Crocodiles are stealthy hunters. Most of the time they hunt in the cool of the evenings, swimming right up close to their prey on the riverbanks without being seen. They wait patiently and then ambush their prey with a lightening reaction, dragging animals into the water and drowning them. However, despite what you see on the TV, most of their diet is made up of fish rather than wildebeest and other large mammals.

The Best Places to See Nile Crocodiles

Africa has three species of crocodile – the Nile Crocodile, the Slender Snouted Crocodile and the African Dwarf Crocodile. However, you are most likely to come across the Nile Crocodile. This is found all over Sub-Saharan Africa, but is most common in Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Madagascar and Botswana.

One of the best places to see crocodiles when you go on a photo safari is in the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya. During the Great Migration, they pick off large mammals as they try to cross the Grumeti river and Mara river, providing one of the best and most reliable opportunities to watch them hunting in the wild. Getting up close and personal with a mighty killer such as this is definitely an experience and one of the highlights of any safari in Africa,

Alternatively, head to the wetlands of the Okavango Delta in Botswana where crocodiles are present in large numbers and you may get to see them from the safety of your boat.

Crocodile Conservation

Up to the 1960s the Nile Crocodile was heavily hunted, almost to extinction, for its meat and leather. However, a lot more has been done since then to protect them, and now there are up to half a million living in the wild.

Despite these efforts, the Nile Crocodile is still threatened by bad fishing practices, hunting and pollution all across the continent, which continues to cause concern for conservationists. Crocodiles control certain populations of fish and clean up the waterways by eating dead animals that would otherwise decay, meaning they are hugely important to the overall picture.

For more information on crocodiles and their plight, visit International Crocodile Specialist Group.

Volunteer work with baby rhino

Gap years are looked on fondly by potential employers, but only if they are the right type of gap year. If you go to Australia and spend six months on the beach it is unlikely to impress, even though it will probably be a lot of fun. It will be a lot more valuable to volunteer your services for a conservation project of some kind, to put your skills to good use, and this will provide you with an experience that no tourist would be able to have.

If you want to go on a conservation gap year, Tanzania could be one of your best bets. This vast and beautiful country is packed full of wildlife and pristine natural environments, so if you join a programme here you could find yourself looking after turtles in the Indian Ocean, observing lions in the Serengeti or looking after chimpanzees in a sanctuary on Lake Tanganyika.

If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, a quick search of the internet will reveal a whole host of companies and charities that offer a conservation gap year. Tanzania is a popular location, so it’s also not too hard to find someone these days who has been on a similar programme who could provide you with advise. Of course, you don’t have to spend your whole gap year on a conservation programme. Instead you may want to combine an element of travel with a project to get the best of both worlds.

Gap year teaching project in Africa

If you like photography then you’ll get some great opportunities to take pictures when you go to Tanzania. Keen nature photographers are often attracted by the possibility of getting up close to nature that’s only really on offer to those who get involved in a conservation project. And to be able to combine real conservation work with taking great photographs of wildlife is often hard to resist.

There is so much more to a gap year than just taking a bit of time out. To really get the most of it, and to have the most fun, a gap year conservation project provides a great alternative. On top of that, you’ll be involved in doing something good, so there can really be no better way to spend your time.

Despite its huge surface area, Lake Victoria is a relatively shallow lake. It is also only supplied by a limited amount of rivers, and all of these factors make it particularly vulnerable to climatic changes. Indeed, it has dried up completely on no less than three occasions in the past, coinciding with previous ice ages. However, the problem is now reoccurring, and this time overpopulation and climate change are both playing their part.

Sharing borders with Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, Lake Victoria provides a lifeline for millions of people. In fact, 30 million people live in the area of the river basin and depend either directly or indirectly on it for their survival. However, a growing population has led to both a reduction in the amount of vegetation surrounding the lake and the increasing problem of over-fishing, which are all damaging the ecosystem.

The UN has already expressed its concern at the problems facing the Lake Victoria. In September 2008, a meeting was held by the UN Habitat Executive Secretary and ministers from the five countries in the catchment area of the lake: Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and Burundi. During the meeting the UN asked these countries to do more to protect the lake for future generations, so concerned is the body about the future of the region.

Despite the problems faced by Lake Victoria, it is also a draw to thousands of tourists because of its ease of access and its wild beauty. People come here to enjoy the views, to take a boat trip across the lake, to go fishing or to watch the spectacular wildlife. Bird watching is hugely popular, with cormorants, egrets and fish eagles resident in the lake. There are also crocodiles and hippos in the lake, although catching a sighting of one of these is far trickier.

It is quite clear that if people are going to enjoy this lake in the future then more needs to be done to look after it. If you decide to visit the lake during a trip to East Africa, you will see first-hand its beauty but also the problems that are blighting it. If you can go with a tour company that has environmental credentials then this can help to inject some of your cash into local community projects. There are also conservation organisations operating in the regions, such as Friends of Lake Victoria and ECOVIC, that you can support.

Lake Victoria is a fantastic place to visit, and will provide you with stunning scenery and a great adventure. But it needs protecting. If you are lucky enough to visit this special area then you will witness its beauty first-hand, but tourism can only last as long as conservation is taken seriously. If you visit Lake Victoria then you will realise that it is not just important for the people and animals that inhabit the region, but for us all.

1 – Don’t Buy Souvenirs Made from Animals

A powerful advertisement by WWF

Most people probably know that they should steer well clear of ivory products, but might not realise that poachers also pose a massive threat to other African species. For example rhinos may be hunted for their horns; gorillas, leopards and other animals are hunted for their skins; and marine creatures are harvested to sell as souvenirs.

One of the best ways that you can help conservation in Africa is to make sure that you never buy this type of souvenir. This includes steering clear of the meat of these animals in exotic restaurants, both in Africa and elsewhere.

2 – Donate to a Cause

There are lots of charities out there dedicated to conservation in Africa. This includes international charities such as the World Wildlife Fund or the Born Free Foundation, as well as smaller local charities.

Even a small donation to one of these charities can make a big difference. Next time it’s a friend’s birthday, why not adopt an animal as a gift for them? You’ll receive a great gift pack to give them as part of their present, and you will both be a little happier knowing that you are helping an animal somewhere in Africa. Check out one of our favourite charity the David Sheldrick Trust in Kenya for more information on how to adopt an orphaned baby elephant or rhino. www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org

David Sheldrick Trust

3 – Get Involved

If you don’t want to just donate money to a wildlife conservation charity, why not actually get involved yourself?

There are lots of charities which offer volunteers the chance to go and spend some time helping on a wildlife conservation project in Africa. Not only will you be helping the conservation cause, but you will get the experience of a lifetime. Projects vary from a week up to several months and are a great way to spend a gap year or a sabbatical as they give you something that is absolutely priceless.

Drop us an email and we can give you details of some of our recommended organizations in Africa and you too can start making a difference!

Save the Rhino

There is something prehistoric about rhinos. Seeing them at a distance you can almost convince yourself that you are looking upon a scene from thousands of years ago. These fantastic creatures are the highlight of any safari to Tanzania or elsewhere in Africa, but they have long been threatened by poaching. Sadly, it has now been reported that rhino poaching has hit a 15-year high.

According to a briefing from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, the situation is starting to get out of control. Rhinos are being poisoned at their watering holes or shot by poachers who then cut off their horns to sell. It is an international problem across Africa and Asia, and some experts are now predicting that it could see rhinos become extinct in the near future.

It’s sad news for anyone who cares about rhinos. These fascinating creatures have long been hunted for their horns, which are used in traditional medicine in the Far East as well as for knife handles. It’s such a waste of a wonderful animal, and such has been the problem that conservationists have been known to cut off their horns after sedating them to lower the levels of rhino poaching.

If you want to see rhinos in their natural habitat then one of the best places to head is Tanzania. Although they can be found in many countries, Tanzania has a huge number of national parks, including the Serengeti, Ngorogogo Crater and the enormous Selous Game Reserve, the biggest and wildest of the lot. Head to any of these areas and there’s a good chance you’ll be able to see and take photos of rhinos.

www.selousrhinotrust.org

Alternatively, you could opt to join a rhino conservation programme. Due to their endangered status you could help them by combining a holiday with a rhino conservation programme that aims to protect them. You could even go on a safari and stay in a lodge that boasts eco credentials which is another way to help.

Alternatively, if you can’t go to see them yourself then you could help by supporting a rhino conservation charity. One of the biggest of these is Save the Rhino International, and supporting this charity will mean you are directly helping to save these marvellous creatures from extinction. Another charity is the Selous Rhino Trust, which monitors black rhinos in the Selous Game Reserve following their reappearance in 1990 after they were thought to have become extinct there.

It is sad to hear that rhino poaching has not gone away and has risen to a 15-year high. But there are many ways that you can help to save them. Whether you join a charity or you go to Tanzania to see them in the wild, you can be sure that you are doing your bit for their welfare. And if you manage to take some great photos of them when you are over there, perhaps your snaps will help to inspire others to care for these wonderful creatures.