Wildlife under threat
Forest elephants
The forest elephants of West and Central Africa are now recognised as a separate species from their larger cousins, the savannah elephants. Tragically, they are being slaughtered for their tusks.
These magnificent animals have recently been officially classed as ‘critically endangered’, meaning they face a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Rhinos
Africa’s rhinos continue to be poached for their horns. Between 2012 and 2021, white rhino populations fell by 25 per cent. There are now believed to be fewer than 16,000 left.
Pangolins
African pangolins - shy, gentle creatures whose main defence technique is to roll up into a ball - risk being poached to extinction. They are hunted for their scales, which are used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Sharks
Shark fins are used in traditional Chinese medicine and in shark fin soup. Many species of shark are categorised as vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered.
Seahorses
Seahorses have suffered a serious decline in recent decades, with 14 species now listed as endangered or vulnerable. West Africa plays a growing role in the international trade, which is driven by demand for dried seahorses used in traditional Chinese medicine.