Mammal
Red list
About the 2025 regional Mammal red list
The Mammal Red List of South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini revision was coordinated by the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). It forms part of a series of national Red List projects including assessments of Amphibians, Birds, Butterflies, Dragonflies & Damselflies, Fairy Shrimps, Freshwater Crabs, Freshwater Fishes, Mammals, Plants, Reptiles, Sharks, Sparids, and Spiders.
This Regional Red List provides an up-to-date assessment of the conservation status of our mammals, of which 67 (~20%) are deemed to be threatened with extinction, and 39 (11.5%) are Near Threatened.
336
taxa
evaluated
20%
threatenedÂ
with extinction
11.5%
near threatened
11 species were uplisted to higher threat categories in this revision, while three species were downlisted. The main threats were identified as habitat loss and degradation due to agricultural and urban expansion, climate change and extreme weather conditions, as well as over-exploitation and poaching.
Of the 336 taxa assessed, 67 are endemic to the assessment region. 28 (42%) endemic mammals are threatened with extinction, making the country fully responsible for their protection.
A large proportion of mammals are Well Protected within the South African Protected Areas Network; however, 25% of mammals are Poorly Protected or Not Protected, and need intervention to increase their protection level.
Acknowledgments
Building on the 2016 Mammal Red List, the 2025 revised assessments were based on data and expertise from 163 experts.
Thank you to all the Data Providers that contributed data, making it possible to revise the assessments.
The 2025 Mammal Red List revision was funded by SANBI (via the French Development Agency (AFD and FFEM)), De Beers Group, Eskom and the Leiden Foundation.
Contact us
for more information
Dr Tamanna Patel
Mammal Red List Coordinator
The Endangered Wildlife Trust
Tel: +27 11 372 3600
Email: tamannap@ewt.org
Caitlin Smith
Conservation Special Projects Intern
The Endangered Wildlife Trust
Tel: +27 11 372 3600
Email: caitlins@ewt.org
dr Lizanne Roxburgh
Senior Scientist
The Endangered Wildlife Trust
Tel: +27 11 372 3600
Email: lizanner@ewt.org
dr Ian Little
Head of Conservation
The Endangered Wildlife Trust
Tel: + 27 21 799 8800
Email: ianl@ewt.org
Domitilla Raimondo
Threatened Species
Programme Manager
Biodiversity Research and Monitoring
South African National Biodiversity Institute
IUCN Red List Committee
Tel: +27 11 483 5000