The National Red List Project

Please note, this National Red List website contains a subset of data whilst we transition to national focal point driven data uploads. We thank you for your patience with this and welcome national contributors to get in touch to update their national dataset. Terms of Use including citation guidance are found here.

The previous dataset is available via: https://archive.nationalredlist.org/. This site is no longer updated but can help with most enquiries whilst we focus on redevelopment.

South Africa

Official name
Republic of South Africa
ISO alpha-2 code
ZA
ISO alpha-3 code
ZAF
ISO numeric-3 code
710
Continent
Africa
Subscribe to South Africa
Assessment ID
319649
Taxon name
Stenella attenuata
(Gray, 1846)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Stenella attenuata
(Gray, 1846)
Common name(s)
Pantropical Spotted Dolphin
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
cetacea
Family
delphinidae
Genus
Stenella
Species
attenuata
Species authority
(Gray, 1846)
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland
Scope (of the Assessment)
Regional (multi-national)
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
South Africa
Lesotho
Eswatini
Country ISO code(s)
ZAF
LSO
SWZ
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Assessed as
Least Concern
Abbreviated status
LC
Criteria system used
IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment details
Year assessed
2016
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
Plön S, Relton C, Cockroft V
Criteria system used
IUCN
Reference for methods given
IUCN (2012) IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1. Second edition. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iv + 32pp; IUCN (2012) Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.
URL (link) of redlist assessment or publication
https://www.ewt.org.za/Reddata/reddata.html
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Endemic to region
No
Is there a map available in assessment?
Not_assigned
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Terrestrial
Not_assigned
Freshwater
Not_assigned
Marine
Not_assigned
Publication
The 2016 Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho
Child MF, Roxburgh L, Do Linh San E, Raimondo D, Davies-Mostert HT, editors. The 2016 Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. South African National Biodiversity Institute and Endangered Wildlife Trust, South Africa.
Assessment ID
319648
Taxon name
Sousa plumbea
(G. Cuvier, 1829)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Sousa plumbea
(G. Cuvier, 1829)
Common name(s)
Indian Humpback Dolphin
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
cetacea
Family
delphinidae
Genus
Sousa
Species
plumbea
Species authority
(G. Cuvier, 1829)
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland
Scope (of the Assessment)
Regional (multi-national)
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
South Africa
Lesotho
Eswatini
Country ISO code(s)
ZAF
LSO
SWZ
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Assessed as
Endangered
Abbreviated status
EN
Criteria system used
IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment details
Year assessed
2016
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
Plön S, Atkins S, Conry D, Pistorius P, Cockcroft V, Child MF
Criteria system used
IUCN
Reference for methods given
IUCN (2012) IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1. Second edition. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iv + 32pp; IUCN (2012) Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.
URL (link) of redlist assessment or publication
https://www.ewt.org.za/Reddata/reddata.html
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Endemic to region
No
Is there a map available in assessment?
Not_assigned
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Terrestrial
Not_assigned
Freshwater
Not_assigned
Marine
Not_assigned
Publication
The 2016 Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho
Child MF, Roxburgh L, Do Linh San E, Raimondo D, Davies-Mostert HT, editors. The 2016 Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. South African National Biodiversity Institute and Endangered Wildlife Trust, South Africa.
Assessment ID
319647
Taxon name
Pseudorca crassidens
(Owen, 1846)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Pseudorca crassidens
(Owen, 1846)
Common name(s)
False Killer Whale
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
cetacea
Family
delphinidae
Genus
Pseudorca
Species
crassidens
Species authority
(Owen, 1846)
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland
Scope (of the Assessment)
Regional (multi-national)
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
South Africa
Lesotho
Eswatini
Country ISO code(s)
ZAF
LSO
SWZ
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Assessed as
Least Concern
Abbreviated status
LC
Criteria system used
IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment details
Year assessed
2016
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
Relton C, Photopoulou T
Criteria system used
IUCN
Reference for methods given
IUCN (2012) IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1. Second edition. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iv + 32pp; IUCN (2012) Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.
URL (link) of redlist assessment or publication
https://www.ewt.org.za/Reddata/reddata.html
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Endemic to region
No
Is there a map available in assessment?
Not_assigned
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Terrestrial
Not_assigned
Freshwater
Not_assigned
Marine
Not_assigned
Publication
The 2016 Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho
Child MF, Roxburgh L, Do Linh San E, Raimondo D, Davies-Mostert HT, editors. The 2016 Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. South African National Biodiversity Institute and Endangered Wildlife Trust, South Africa.
Assessment ID
319646
Taxon name
Physeter macrocephalus
Linnaeus, 1758
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Physeter macrocephalus
Linnaeus, 1758
Common name(s)
Sperm Whale
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
cetacea
Family
physeteridae
Genus
Physeter
Species
macrocephalus
Species authority
Linnaeus, 1758
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland
Scope (of the Assessment)
Regional (multi-national)
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
South Africa
Lesotho
Eswatini
Country ISO code(s)
ZAF
LSO
SWZ
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Assessed as
Vulnerable
Abbreviated status
VU
Criteria system used
IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment details
Year assessed
2016
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
Elwen S, Findlay K, Meà¿er M, Oosthuizen H, Plön S
Criteria system used
IUCN
Reference for methods given
IUCN (2012) IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1. Second edition. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iv + 32pp; IUCN (2012) Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.
URL (link) of redlist assessment or publication
https://www.ewt.org.za/Reddata/reddata.html
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Endemic to region
No
Is there a map available in assessment?
Not_assigned
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Terrestrial
Not_assigned
Freshwater
Not_assigned
Marine
Not_assigned
Publication
The 2016 Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho
Child MF, Roxburgh L, Do Linh San E, Raimondo D, Davies-Mostert HT, editors. The 2016 Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. South African National Biodiversity Institute and Endangered Wildlife Trust, South Africa.
Assessment ID
319645
Taxon name
Peponocephala electra
(Gray, 1846)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Peponocephala electra
(Gray, 1846)
Common name(s)
Melonheaded Whale
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
cetacea
Family
delphinidae
Genus
Peponocephala
Species
electra
Species authority
(Gray, 1846)
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland
Scope (of the Assessment)
Regional (multi-national)
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
South Africa
Lesotho
Eswatini
Country ISO code(s)
ZAF
LSO
SWZ
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Assessed as
Least Concern
Abbreviated status
LC
Criteria system used
IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment details
Year assessed
2016
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
Cockcroft V, Relton C, Plön S
Criteria system used
IUCN
Reference for methods given
IUCN (2012) IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1. Second edition. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iv + 32pp; IUCN (2012) Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.
URL (link) of redlist assessment or publication
https://www.ewt.org.za/Reddata/reddata.html
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Endemic to region
No
Is there a map available in assessment?
Not_assigned
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Terrestrial
Not_assigned
Freshwater
Not_assigned
Marine
Not_assigned
Publication
The 2016 Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho
Child MF, Roxburgh L, Do Linh San E, Raimondo D, Davies-Mostert HT, editors. The 2016 Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. South African National Biodiversity Institute and Endangered Wildlife Trust, South Africa.
Assessment ID
319644
Taxon name
Orcinus orca
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Orcinus orca
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Common name(s)
Killer Whale
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
cetacea
Family
delphinidae
Genus
Orcinus
Species
orca
Species authority
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland
Scope (of the Assessment)
Regional (multi-national)
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
South Africa
Lesotho
Eswatini
Country ISO code(s)
ZAF
LSO
SWZ
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Assessed as
Least Concern
Abbreviated status
LC
Criteria system used
IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment details
Year assessed
2016
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
Reisinger RR, de Bruyn PJN, Bester MN, Findlay K
Criteria system used
IUCN
Reference for methods given
IUCN (2012) IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1. Second edition. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iv + 32pp; IUCN (2012) Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.
URL (link) of redlist assessment or publication
https://www.ewt.org.za/Reddata/reddata.html
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Endemic to region
No
Is there a map available in assessment?
Not_assigned
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Terrestrial
Not_assigned
Freshwater
Not_assigned
Marine
Not_assigned
Publication
The 2016 Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho
Child MF, Roxburgh L, Do Linh San E, Raimondo D, Davies-Mostert HT, editors. The 2016 Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. South African National Biodiversity Institute and Endangered Wildlife Trust, South Africa.
Assessment ID
319643
Taxon name
Mesoplodon mirus
True, 1913
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Mesoplodon mirus
True, 1913
Common name(s)
True's Beaked Whale
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
cetacea
Family
ziphiidae
Genus
Mesoplodon
Species
mirus
Species authority
True, 1913
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland
Scope (of the Assessment)
Regional (multi-national)
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
South Africa
Lesotho
Eswatini
Country ISO code(s)
ZAF
LSO
SWZ
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Assessed as
Data Deficient
Abbreviated status
DD
Criteria system used
IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment details
Year assessed
2016
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
Relton C, Cockcroft V, Hofmeyr GJG
Criteria system used
IUCN
Reference for methods given
IUCN (2012) IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1. Second edition. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iv + 32pp; IUCN (2012) Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.
URL (link) of redlist assessment or publication
https://www.ewt.org.za/Reddata/reddata.html
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Endemic to region
No
Is there a map available in assessment?
Not_assigned
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Terrestrial
Not_assigned
Freshwater
Not_assigned
Marine
Not_assigned
Publication
The 2016 Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho
Child MF, Roxburgh L, Do Linh San E, Raimondo D, Davies-Mostert HT, editors. The 2016 Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. South African National Biodiversity Institute and Endangered Wildlife Trust, South Africa.
Assessment ID
319642
Taxon name
Mesoplodon layardii
(Gray, 1865)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Mesoplodon layardii
(Gray, 1865)
Common name(s)
Strap-toothed Whale
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
cetacea
Family
ziphiidae
Genus
Mesoplodon
Species
layardii
Species authority
(Gray, 1865)
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland
Scope (of the Assessment)
Regional (multi-national)
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
South Africa
Lesotho
Eswatini
Country ISO code(s)
ZAF
LSO
SWZ
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Assessed as
Data Deficient
Abbreviated status
DD
Criteria system used
IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment details
Year assessed
2016
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
Relton C, Cockcroft V, Hofmeyr GJG
Criteria system used
IUCN
Reference for methods given
IUCN (2012) IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1. Second edition. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iv + 32pp; IUCN (2012) Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.
URL (link) of redlist assessment or publication
https://www.ewt.org.za/Reddata/reddata.html
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Endemic to region
No
Is there a map available in assessment?
Not_assigned
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Terrestrial
Not_assigned
Freshwater
Not_assigned
Marine
Not_assigned
Publication
The 2016 Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho
Child MF, Roxburgh L, Do Linh San E, Raimondo D, Davies-Mostert HT, editors. The 2016 Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. South African National Biodiversity Institute and Endangered Wildlife Trust, South Africa.
Assessment ID
319641
Taxon name
Mesoplodon hectori
(Gray, 1871)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Mesoplodon hectori
(Gray, 1871)
Common name(s)
Hector's Beaked Whale
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
cetacea
Family
ziphiidae
Genus
Mesoplodon
Species
hectori
Species authority
(Gray, 1871)
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland
Scope (of the Assessment)
Regional (multi-national)
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
South Africa
Lesotho
Eswatini
Country ISO code(s)
ZAF
LSO
SWZ
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Assessed as
Data Deficient
Abbreviated status
DD
Criteria system used
IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment details
Year assessed
2016
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
Relton C, Cockcroft V, Hofmeyr GJG
Criteria system used
IUCN
Reference for methods given
IUCN (2012) IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1. Second edition. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iv + 32pp; IUCN (2012) Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.
URL (link) of redlist assessment or publication
https://www.ewt.org.za/Reddata/reddata.html
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Endemic to region
No
Is there a map available in assessment?
Not_assigned
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Terrestrial
Not_assigned
Freshwater
Not_assigned
Marine
Not_assigned
Publication
The 2016 Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho
Child MF, Roxburgh L, Do Linh San E, Raimondo D, Davies-Mostert HT, editors. The 2016 Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. South African National Biodiversity Institute and Endangered Wildlife Trust, South Africa.
Assessment ID
319640
Taxon name
Mesoplodon grayi
von Haast, 1876
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Mesoplodon grayi
von Haast, 1876
Common name(s)
Gray's Beaked Whale
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
cetacea
Family
ziphiidae
Genus
Mesoplodon
Species
grayi
Species authority
von Haast, 1876
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland
Scope (of the Assessment)
Regional (multi-national)
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
South Africa
Lesotho
Eswatini
Country ISO code(s)
ZAF
LSO
SWZ
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Assessed as
Data Deficient
Abbreviated status
DD
Criteria system used
IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment details
Year assessed
2016
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
Relton C, Cockcroft V, Hofmeyr GJG
Criteria system used
IUCN
Reference for methods given
IUCN (2012) IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1. Second edition. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iv + 32pp; IUCN (2012) Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.
URL (link) of redlist assessment or publication
https://www.ewt.org.za/Reddata/reddata.html
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Endemic to region
No
Is there a map available in assessment?
Not_assigned
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Terrestrial
Not_assigned
Freshwater
Not_assigned
Marine
Not_assigned
Publication
The 2016 Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho
Child MF, Roxburgh L, Do Linh San E, Raimondo D, Davies-Mostert HT, editors. The 2016 Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. South African National Biodiversity Institute and Endangered Wildlife Trust, South Africa.