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 This site is no longer updated but can help with most enquiries whilst we focus on redevelopment.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
319639
Taxon name
Mesoplodon densirostris
(Blainville, 1817)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Mesoplodon densirostris
(Blainville, 1817)
Common name(s)
Blainville'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
densirostris
Species authority
(Blainville, 1817)
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
319638
Taxon name
Megaptera novaeangliae
(Borowski, 1781)
Subpopulation
Humpback Whale (B2 stock)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Megaptera novaeangliae
(Borowski, 1781)
Common name(s)
Humpback Whale (B2 stock)
Assessed taxon level
Subpopulation
Subpopulation
Humpback Whale (B2 stock)
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
cetacea
Family
balaenopteridae
Genus
Megaptera
Species
novaeangliae
Species authority
(Borowski, 1781)
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
Barendse J, Carvalho I
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
Near endemic
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
319637
Taxon name
Megaptera novaeangliae
(Borowski, 1781)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Megaptera novaeangliae
(Borowski, 1781)
Common name(s)
Humpback Whale
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
cetacea
Family
balaenopteridae
Genus
Megaptera
Species
novaeangliae
Species authority
(Borowski, 1781)
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
Barendse J, Carvalho I
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
319636
Taxon name
Lissodelphis peronii
(Lacépède, 1804)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Lissodelphis peronii
(Lacépède, 1804)
Common name(s)
Southern Right Whale Dolphin
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
cetacea
Family
delphinidae
Genus
Lissodelphis
Species
peronii
Species authority
(Lacépède, 1804)
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, Preston-Whyte F, Relton C
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
319635
Taxon name
Lagenorhynchus obscurus
(Gray, 1828)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Lagenorhynchus obscurus
(Gray, 1828)
Common name(s)
Dusky Dolphin
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
cetacea
Family
delphinidae
Genus
Lagenorhynchus
Species
obscurus
Species authority
(Gray, 1828)
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
Elwen S, 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
319634
Taxon name
Lagenorhynchus cruciger
(Quoy and Gaimard, 1824)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Lagenorhynchus cruciger
(Quoy and Gaimard, 1824)
Common name(s)
Hourglass Dolphin
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
cetacea
Family
delphinidae
Genus
Lagenorhynchus
Species
cruciger
Species authority
(Quoy and Gaimard, 1824)
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
319633
Taxon name
Lagenodelphis hosei
Fraser, 1956
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Lagenodelphis hosei
Fraser, 1956
Common name(s)
Fraser's Dolphin
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
cetacea
Family
delphinidae
Genus
Lagenodelphis
Species
hosei
Species authority
Fraser, 1956
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
319632
Taxon name
Kogia sima
(Owen, 1866)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Kogia sima
(Owen, 1866)
Common name(s)
Dwarf Sperm Whale
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
cetacea
Family
physeteridae
Genus
Kogia
Species
sima
Species authority
(Owen, 1866)
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
Plön S, Relton C
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
319631
Taxon name
Kogia breviceps
(Blainville, 1838)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Kogia breviceps
(Blainville, 1838)
Common name(s)
Pygmy Sperm Whale
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
cetacea
Family
physeteridae
Genus
Kogia
Species
breviceps
Species authority
(Blainville, 1838)
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
Plön S, Relton C
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
319630
Taxon name
Indopacetus pacificus
(Longman, 1926)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Indopacetus pacificus
(Longman, 1926)
Common name(s)
Longman's Beaked Whale
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
cetacea
Family
ziphiidae
Genus
Indopacetus
Species
pacificus
Species authority
(Longman, 1926)
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.