Urgent: 2025 Red List reveals heightened threats to eleven mammals in southern Africa
The Thick-tailed Bushbaby's conservation status was uplisted to Near Threatened in the 2025 Mammal Red List of South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini.
Image: Endangered Wildlife Trust / www.ewt.org.za
The 2025 Regional Mammal Red List of Threatened Species documents that 11 mammal species in South Africa, Eswatini, and Lesotho have moved to higher threat levels due to habitat loss, climate change, and human development.
The red list ranks mammals based on how threatened the species are from Least Concern to Endangered or the worst category, Extinct.
The Red List, which was coordinated by the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) with input from 150 species experts, assessed 336 mammal taxa.
It found that 20% of mammals in the region are threatened, and 12% are Near Threatened, underscoring the urgent need for conservation action.
Among the species uplisted (declining conservation status) is the Thick-tailed Bushbaby (Otolemur crassicaudatus), which has moved from Least Concern to Near Threatened due to pressures from agriculture, urban development, and climate change.
In contrast, Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra (Equus zebra hartmannae) was downlisted from Vulnerable to Near Threatened thanks to a population rebound.
Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra was downlisted due to a population rebound.
Image: Endangered Wildlife Trust / www.ewt.org.za
“The main threats to these species are ongoing habitat loss and degradation due to agricultural and urban expansion, climate change and extreme weather conditions, as well as over-exploitation and poaching,” the assessment notes.
Yet, only around 76% of mammal species are well or moderately protected, leaving nearly a quarter vulnerable.
To access the Red List of Threatened Species, visit: https://ewt.org/resources/mammal-red-list/
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