Endangered Species in Mozambique

Mozambique’s long coastline, river systems and inland woodlands support a wide mix of wildlife, from migratory shorebirds to large mammals. Rising development, illegal hunting and unregulated fishing mean some species here face growing risks that deserve attention and clear information.

There are 20 Endangered Species in Mozambique, ranging from the African elephant to the Whale shark. The list covers terrestrial and marine species and is organized with columns: Scientific name,IUCN status,Main threats (max 15 words); you’ll find below.

How were the species on this list chosen?

Species were selected based on documented presence in Mozambique and their IUCN Red List status; entries focus on species currently assessed as endangered or facing equivalent national risk, with threats summarized to help prioritize action.

What practical steps can travelers or locals take to help these species?

Support responsible tourism operators, avoid buying wildlife products, report poaching or illegal trade to authorities, and consider donating time or funds to reputable local conservation groups working on habitat protection and community outreach.

Endangered Species in Mozambique

Images and Descriptions

African elephant

Mozambique’s savanna and forest elephants occur in Niassa, Gorongosa and Limpopo areas, using woodlands and floodplains. Majestic keystone herbivores, they face poaching, habitat fragmentation and conflict with people. Conservation includes anti-poaching units, monitoring and translocations.

Black rhinoceros

Reintroduced into Gorongosa and protected areas, black rhinos occupy dry savanna and mopane woodland. Critically endangered from intense horn poaching; small reintroduced herds are closely monitored with strict protection, surveillance and community conservation programs.

African wild dog

Occurring in Niassa and other remote reserves, wild dogs need large savanna ranges. Highly social predators suffer from habitat fragmentation, snaring and disease. Conservation emphasizes protected-area management, anti-snare patrols and community-based conflict reduction.

Cheetah

Cheetahs persist in Niassa and Gaza provinces in open savanna and scrub. Fast predators are threatened by habitat conversion, prey depletion and illegal snaring. Conservation includes monitoring, conflict mitigation and occasional translocations to strengthen small populations.

Lion

Mozambique’s lions live in Niassa, Zinave and Limpopo parks across savanna and woodland. Numbers fell from hunting and human–lion conflict. Conservation uses anti-poaching teams, community programs and cross-border protected-area cooperation.

Hippopotamus

Hippos inhabit rivers, wetlands and floodplains including the Zambezi and Limpopo systems. Vulnerable from hunting, habitat degradation and disturbance. Conservation efforts focus on protected waterways, anti-poaching patrols and wetland restoration.

Temminck’s pangolin

Ground pangolins occur in Mozambique’s savanna and dry woodlands, especially in northern reserves. Scaled mammals are heavily targeted by illegal trade and local hunting; conservation involves rescues, anti-trafficking enforcement and community awareness campaigns.

Dugong

Dugongs frequent seagrass beds around Bazaruto and Inhambane coasts. These marine herbivores are vulnerable to gillnet entanglement, boat strikes and coastal development. Conservation includes marine protected areas, seagrass restoration and fishery regulations.

Whale shark

Seasonal visitors off Tofo and Inhambane, whale sharks use plankton-rich coastal waters. The world’s largest fish faces bycatch, boat strikes and uncontrolled tourism. Local ecotourism, research and protection measures support conservation and monitoring.

Giant manta

Giant mantas are found in offshore and nearshore waters around Mozambique’s reefs. Plankton feeders threatened by fisheries bycatch and targeted capture. Conservation emphasizes manta sanctuaries, fishing regulations and scientific monitoring.

Reef manta

Reef mantas frequent Mozambique’s coral reefs and cleaning stations near Tofo and the Bazaruto archipelago. Vulnerable due to net entanglement and habitat degradation. Protection focuses on marine reserves, responsible tourism codes and fisher engagement.

Hawksbill turtle

Hawksbills nest on Mozambique’s tropical beaches and use coral reefs along Bazaruto and Inhambane. Critically endangered from illegal shell trade and nest loss; local protection, nest monitoring and community beach patrols aid recovery.

Green turtle

Green turtles nest on northern and central Mozambican beaches and forage on seagrass beds. Endangered from egg collection, bycatch and habitat loss. Conservation includes nest protection, marine reserves and community awareness programs.

Loggerhead turtle

Loggerheads nest on Mozambique’s sandy coasts and forage offshore. Vulnerable to fisheries bycatch, beach disturbance and hatchling disorientation from lights. Conservation focuses on protected nesting beaches, nest monitoring and fisher engagement.

Leatherback turtle

Leatherbacks pass Mozambique’s shores during migrations and occasionally nest. Large oceanic turtles are threatened by fisheries bycatch, egg collection and marine pollution. Conservation emphasizes monitoring, nest protection and reduced fisheries interactions.

Scalloped hammerhead

Scalloped hammerheads occur in coastal and offshore Mozambican waters. Critically endangered from targeted fisheries and finning, they are highly susceptible to nets and longlines. Conservation needs fishing restrictions and improved bycatch mitigation.

Great hammerhead

Great hammerheads patrol Mozambique’s coastal seas. Critically endangered due to targeted fishing and high fin value. Local measures include shark protection policies, bycatch reduction and international trade controls.

Oceanic whitetip shark

Oceanic whitetips roam Mozambique’s offshore waters and are critically endangered from longline bycatch and finning. Their slow life-history makes strict fisheries management and international trade restrictions crucial.

Southern ground-hornbill

These large ground-dwelling birds occur in Mozambique’s savannas and woodlands, particularly in northern provinces. Vulnerable due to habitat conversion and persecution; conservation uses nest protection, reintroductions and community education programs.

Wattled crane

Wattled cranes inhabit Zambezi floodplains and other wetlands in Mozambique. These tall, slow-breeding cranes are vulnerable to wetland loss and disturbance. Conservation focuses on wetland protection, monitoring and community stewardship.

Endangered Species in Other Countries