Endangered Species in the Comoros: The Complete List

The Comoros archipelago sits at a crossroads of the western Indian Ocean, where small islands, volcanic slopes and coral reefs create a patchwork of habitats. That isolation has produced unique plants and animals, but it also makes them vulnerable when land use, fishing pressure and climate impacts change quickly.

There are 23 Endangered Species in the Comoros, ranging from Agaricia undata to Whale Shark. For each species you’ll find below the Scientific name,IUCN status (year),Islands to show taxonomy, current threat category and where each occurs — see the list you’ll find below.

What are the main threats pushing Comorian species toward endangered status?

Most threats are local and cumulative: habitat loss from agriculture and development, unsustainable fishing and bycatch, coral bleaching and ocean change, plus invasive species and small geographic ranges that magnify impacts. Limited conservation capacity and data gaps also slow effective responses.

How can people help protect endangered species in the Comoros?

Support practical measures: back local conservation groups, follow sustainable tourism and fishing guidelines, report sightings to researchers, reduce plastic and coastal pollution, and favor policies that protect reefs and native forests; targeted local action and better data make the biggest difference.

Endangered Species in the Comoros

Images and Descriptions

Comoro Scops-Owl

A small, elusive owl found only in the remaining montane forest on Mount Karthala. Its survival is critically threatened by rapid habitat loss due to deforestation for agriculture, logging, and invasive species.

Kirk’s White-eye

A small, sociable songbird with a distinctive white eye-ring, living in the forests of Mount Karthala. It faces severe threats from habitat destruction and degradation, as well as potential competition from introduced bird species.

Humblot’s Flycatcher

One of the world’s rarest birds, this flycatcher is restricted to a tiny patch of forest on Mount Karthala. It is highly vulnerable to habitat loss from logging and agriculture, and climate change poses a long-term threat.

Mayotte Drongo

A large, glossy-black bird with a deeply forked tail, found only in the native forests of Mayotte. Its population is threatened by ongoing habitat loss and predation by introduced black rats, especially on its nests.

Mayotte Scops-Owl

A small owl endemic to the island of Mayotte, where it inhabits native forest patches. The species is primarily threatened by continued deforestation for agriculture and infrastructure, which fragments its small and isolated population.

Moheli Brush-Warbler

A small, secretive bird found only in the remnant montane forest on the island of Mohéli. Its tiny population is severely threatened by habitat destruction for agriculture and predation by introduced species like black rats.

Green Sea Turtle

A large, migratory sea turtle that nests on Comorian beaches, especially in the Mohéli Marine Park. It’s threatened by poaching of eggs, coastal development destroying nesting sites, plastic pollution, and accidental capture in fishing nets.

Whale Shark

The largest fish in the ocean, this gentle, filter-feeding shark is a seasonal visitor to Comoros waters. It is threatened globally by accidental capture in fishing gear (bycatch), vessel strikes, and disturbance from unregulated tourism.

Giant Manta Ray

A majestic, highly intelligent ray that travels through Comoros’ oceanic waters. It is primarily threatened by targeted fishing for its valuable gill plates, used in traditional medicine, and by becoming entangled in fishing lines and nets.

Humphead Wrasse

A massive, colourful coral reef fish with a distinctive forehead hump. Found in Comorian reefs, it is heavily threatened by overfishing for the luxury live fish food trade, which has decimated populations across its range.

Comoros Swallowtail

A large, spectacular butterfly found only in the humid forests of the Comoros. Its existence is threatened by severe deforestation for agriculture and timber, which destroys the specific host plants its caterpillars need to survive.

Angle Coral

A type of stony coral that can form plates or crusts on reefs. It is highly vulnerable to coral bleaching caused by rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, and outbreaks of coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish.

Anacropora spinosa

A delicate, branching coral species found in sheltered lagoon and reef environments. It is threatened by climate change-induced bleaching events, pollution from land runoff, and physical damage from destructive fishing practices.

Cantharellus noumeae

A species of solitary mushroom coral, often found unattached on reef slopes. Like other corals, it is at high risk from the effects of climate change, particularly mass bleaching events and increasing ocean acidity.

Agaricia undata

A reef-building coral that forms thin, plating colonies, providing habitat for other reef life. It is severely threatened by rising sea temperatures that cause widespread coral bleaching, as well as disease and local pollution.

Fimbriate Anchor Coral

A stony coral known for its large, distinctive polyps. While popular in the aquarium trade, its wild populations in the Comoros are threatened by over-collection, habitat destruction, and coral bleaching events.

Comoros Tree Fern

A large, ancient tree fern that grows in the humid, high-altitude forests of the islands. Its survival is imperiled by deforestation for agriculture and logging, which removes the forest canopy it depends on for shade and moisture.

Comoros Hibiscus

A beautiful flowering shrub found only in a very small area of heathland on Mount Karthala. This extremely rare species is highly vulnerable to habitat degradation from invasive plants, fire, and potential volcanic activity.

Comoros Mimusops

A tree species belonging to the sapodilla family, found in coastal and lowland forests. Its population is severely fragmented and declining due to clearing of land for agriculture, coastal development, and unsustainable logging.

Comoros Nuxia

A flowering tree found in the montane forests of the islands. It faces significant threats from the conversion of its forest habitat into agricultural land and the harvesting of wood for charcoal production, which has fragmented its range.

Noronhia comorensis

A tree in the olive family, endemic to the humid forests of three Comoros islands. It is threatened by extensive habitat loss and fragmentation caused by the clearing of forests for farming and human settlements.

Psiadia boivinii

A shrub found only in the dry forests and coastal thickets of Mayotte. Its habitat is extremely limited and under severe pressure from urbanization, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure development on the densely populated island.

Weinmannia comorensis

A small tree that grows in high-altitude forests and heathlands. It is threatened by the destruction of its specialized habitat for agriculture, logging, and the encroachment of aggressive, non-native plant species.

Endangered Species in Other Countries