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Africa’s landscapes once teemed with incredible creatures, some now lost to time. From the majestic North African elephant to the powerful Cape lion and the famed quagga, these animals roamed the continent’s vast savannahs, dense forests, and rugged mountains. Their stories are a crucial part of Africa’s natural history. Join us as we journey through time, retracing the fading footprints of Africa’s extinct animals.
1. Western Black Rhinoceros (West and central Africa)
The Western black rhino is one of the most recently extinct species on this list. Although similar in appearance, it was a separate subspecies of the black rhino and was once widespread in the savannahs of sub-Saharan Africa. Unfortunately, the extinction of this once magnificent creature is entirely due to poaching.
Since the beginning of the 20th century, western black rhinos have been heavily hunted due to their double horns. A surge of poaching occurred in the 1970s and 1980s due to the demand for rhino horns in Southeast Asian countries, where the horn was used as an ingredient in certain Traditional Chinese Medicine practices.
By 1980, the population was in the hundreds. Poaching continued, and by 2001, their numbers had dwindled down to five individuals. Despite several conservation efforts, after no sightings for a decade, the western black rhino was officially declared extinct in 2011.
2. Quagga (South Africa, Karoo Region)
One of Africa’s most iconic extinct animals, the quagga was a subspecies of the plains zebra, endemic to South Africa, until it was hunted to extinction in the late 19th century. It was easily distinguished from other zebra species due to its brown and white stripes on the front of its body and its brown rear, which appeared more horselike.
Following the European settlement of South Africa, the quagga was extensively hunted as it competed with other domestic animals for forage. Some were also taken to zoos in Europe – one of the only known photographs of a mare was taken at the London Zoo.
All is not lost, however, as certain initiatives like The Quagga Project have attempted to selectively breed Burchell’s zebras with similar striping patterns to the quagga. The project has seen some success, as selective breeding over the generations has resulted in animals that bear an eerie resemblance to the original quagga.
In their own words, the project is “…aimed at rectifying a tragic mistake made over a hundred years ago through greed and shortsightedness. It is hoped that if this revival is successful, in due course herds showing the phenotype of the original quagga will again roam the plains of the Karoo.”
3. North African Elephants (North Africa, from the Atlas Mountains to the Nile)
The North African elephant was a distinct population of African elephants that once traversed the regions north of the Sahara Desert. Renowned for their relatively smaller size compared to their sub-Saharan counterparts, these elephants played a significant role in the ecosystems of ancient North Africa. They were well-adapted to varied terrains, from coastal areas to forested regions, and were integral to the cultural and economic practices of the indigenous peoples.
Historically, the North African elephant gained prominence as the war elephant of Carthage during the Punic Wars against Rome. Under the leadership of generals like Hannibal, these elephants were utilised for their strength and imposing presence, famously crossing the Pyrenees and Alps to confront Roman forces.
The decline of the North African elephant began with its overexploitation for military purposes and intensified with excessive hunting by the Romans, who sought them for entertainment in arenas and for their ivory. This relentless pressure, combined with habitat loss due to expanding human settlements, led to their extinction by the 4th century AD.
4. Cape Lion: South Africa’s (Cape Provinces & Karoo Region)
The majestic Cape lion once roamed the plains of South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal and Cape provinces. It was described by those who saw it to be very large with black-edged ears and a black mane extending beyond its shoulders and under its belly. It has been locally extinct since the mid-19th century.
Records show that these lions were common near Cape Town until the turn of the 17th century. Following the British occupation of the Cape Colony in 1795 and up until the 19th century, Cape lions were hunted away from their natural habitat, especially in the Karoo and Kariega.
The advent of weapons made it simpler to kill these incredible animals, increasing the frequency of hunting. The decline was so rapid that by the middle of the 19th century, the Cape lion was practically extinct in the wild, though the exact year of extinction remains uncertain.
5. Zanzibar Leopard (Zanzibar Archipelago, Tanzania)
The Zanzibar leopard was once an apex predator native to the Zanzibar archipelago in Tanzania. This big cat is thought to have evolved in isolation from mainland African leopards, with it eventually turning out smaller than its continental relatives. Its famous rosettes on its coat had also partially disintegrated into spots.
Unfortunately, it is now considered extirpated (locally extinct) due to persecution by local hunters. Leopard and human conflict increased in the 20th century, partly due to local beliefs associating them with witchcraft. Sadly, efforts for a leopard conservation programme in the 1990s were shelved after wildlife researchers concluded that there was little prospect for the population’s long-term survival.
All is not lost! In 2018, American biologist and TV personality Forrest Galante claimed to have spotted a leopard on the island on a camera trap. Galante and his crew were filming a segment for his show “Extinct or Alive” for Animal Planet.
However, experts remain sceptical. To this day, sporadic leopard sightings are still reported by local residents, long after its “extermination.” Since the cat was declared extinct in the 1990s, not one claim has been proven.
The extinction of these remarkable African animals serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of our natural world. Whether due to overhunting, habitat destruction, or human conflict, their disappearance highlights the impact humans have on the environment. Yet, there is hope; initiatives like the Quagga Project and ongoing conservation efforts strive to preserve the species that remain. By learning from the past and taking action today, we can help protect the incredible animals that still roam Africa’s vast landscapes.
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Written by Thaakiera Ackerdien
• Travel Writer
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Written by Thaakiera Ackerdien
• Travel Writer
Part of the East Africa Safari & Southern Africa Safari Collections