Rwanda’s hills and protected parks support a surprising variety of wildlife, from rainforest specialists to species that use savanna pockets and wetlands. Conservation work here mixes government protection, community initiatives and scientific monitoring to track populations and threats.
There are 18 Endangered Species in Rwanda, ranging from the African Savanna Elephant to the White-headed Vulture. The list is organized with Scientific name,IUCN status,Location — you’ll find below.
How is a species determined to be endangered in Rwanda?
Species status typically follows IUCN Red List criteria supplemented by national surveys and monitoring; assessments consider population size, trend, range and the severity of threats like habitat loss or poaching. Local research and park records help translate global categories into on-the-ground conservation priorities.
What practical steps can visitors and locals take to help these species?
Support comes from staying on designated trails, reporting illegal activity to authorities, choosing responsible tour operators, and backing community-led conservation programs; small, consistent actions that reduce disturbance and fund habitat protection make a measurable difference.
Endangered Species in Rwanda
| Name | Scientific name | IUCN status | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Gorilla | Gorilla beringei beringei | Endangered | Volcanoes National Park |
| Black Rhinoceros | Diceros bicornis | Critically Endangered | Akagera National Park |
| White-backed Vulture | Gyps africanus | Critically Endangered | Akagera National Park |
| Rüppell’s Vulture | Gyps rueppelli | Critically Endangered | Akagera National Park |
| Hooded Vulture | Necrosyrtes monachus | Critically Endangered | Akagera National Park |
| White-headed Vulture | Trigonoceps occipitalis | Critically Endangered | Akagera National Park |
| Chimpanzee | Pan troglodytes | Endangered | Nyungwe and Gishwati-Mukura National Parks |
| African Savanna Elephant | Loxodonta africana | Endangered | Akagera National Park |
| Masai Giraffe | Giraffa tippelskirchi | Endangered | Akagera National Park |
| Golden Monkey | Cercopithecus kandti | Endangered | Volcanoes National Park |
| Lappet-faced Vulture | Torgos tracheliotos | Endangered | Akagera National Park |
| Grey Crowned Crane | Balearica regulorum | Endangered | Akagera National Park and Rugezi Marsh |
| Bateleur | Terathopius ecaudatus | Endangered | Akagera National Park |
| Steppe Eagle | Aquila nipalensis | Endangered | Migratory, primarily seen in Akagera National Park |
| Grauer’s Swamp Warbler | Bradypterus graueri | Endangered | High-altitude wetlands like Rugezi Marsh |
| White-bellied Pangolin | Phataginus tricuspis | Endangered | Nyungwe and Gishwati-Mukura National Parks |
| Giant Ground Pangolin | Smutsia gigantea | Endangered | Forest and savanna habitats, including Akagera National Park |
| Bwindi Caecilian | Afrocaecilia bwindi | Endangered | Soil and leaf litter in Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe Forest |
Images and Descriptions
Mountain Gorilla
A famous great ape known for its close-knit family groups. Conservation tourism has been pivotal in protecting them from poaching and habitat loss, leading to population growth.
Black Rhinoceros
Successfully reintroduced to Rwanda, this mega-herbivore is vital for the ecosystem. It remains critically endangered due to the high demand for its horn in illegal wildlife markets.
White-backed Vulture
This social vulture is nature’s most efficient clean-up crew, preventing the spread of disease. It faces catastrophic decline from poisoning, where poachers lace carcasses to target predators.
Rüppell’s Vulture
One of the highest-flying birds in the world, this vulture faces an extremely high risk of extinction. Like other vultures, its population has plummeted due to widespread poisoning incidents.
Hooded Vulture
A smaller vulture that often cleans up scraps left by larger species. It is critically threatened by poisoning, habitat loss, and capture for traditional medicine markets.
White-headed Vulture
A striking and powerful vulture that often hunts for itself in addition to scavenging. Its populations are in steep decline due to loss of habitat and accidental poisoning.
Chimpanzee
Our closest living relative, known for its intelligence and complex social structures. Chimpanzees are threatened by deforestation for agriculture and illegal poaching for the bushmeat trade.
African Savanna Elephant
The world’s largest land animal, elephants are ecosystem engineers that create habitats for other species. They are threatened by poaching for ivory and human-wildlife conflict over resources.
Masai Giraffe
Now recognized as its own species, the Masai giraffe was successfully introduced to Akagera. It is endangered due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and illegal poaching for its meat and hide.
Golden Monkey
A vibrant and playful primate endemic to the Virunga mountains. Its diet relies heavily on bamboo, making it especially vulnerable to habitat degradation within its small, protected range.
Lappet-faced Vulture
One of Africa’s largest and most aggressive vultures, capable of tearing open tough carcasses. It faces severe threats from poisoning, reduced food availability, and habitat degradation.
Grey Crowned Crane
An elegant bird famous for its golden crest and elaborate mating dance. Its numbers are declining rapidly due to the illegal pet trade and the drainage of its wetland habitats.
Bateleur
A spectacular and colorful snake-eagle known for its unique rocking, gliding flight. This wide-ranging raptor is threatened by poisoning from agricultural pesticides and baited carcasses.
Steppe Eagle
A massive eagle that undertakes an epic migration from Eurasia to Africa for the winter. It faces threats from habitat conversion, power line collisions, and agricultural chemical poisoning.
Grauer’s Swamp Warbler
This small, secretive bird is an Albertine Rift endemic completely dependent on high-altitude swamps. Its survival is threatened by the drainage of these unique wetlands for farming.
White-bellied Pangolin
A nocturnal, tree-climbing mammal covered in protective keratin scales. It is among the most illegally trafficked animals globally, hunted for its meat and for use in traditional medicine.
Giant Ground Pangolin
The largest of all pangolin species, this solitary animal is a powerful digger. Like its smaller cousins, it is severely threatened by rampant poaching for the illegal international trade.
Bwindi Caecilian
A limbless, burrowing amphibian that looks like a large earthworm and is rarely seen. This unique creature is threatened by habitat loss and soil degradation from agriculture.
