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 This site is no longer updated but can help with most enquiries whilst we focus on redevelopment.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
Assessment ID
319579
Taxon name
Civettictis civetta
(Schreber, 1776)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Civettictis civetta
(Schreber, 1776)
Common name(s)
African Civet
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
carnivora
Family
viverridae
Genus
Civettictis
Species
civetta
Species authority
(Schreber, 1776)
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
Swanepoel LH, Camacho G, Power RJ, Amiard P, Do Linh San E
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.
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
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
319578
Taxon name
Caracal caracal
(Schreber, 1776)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Caracal caracal
(Schreber, 1776)
Common name(s)
Caracal
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
carnivora
Family
felidae
Genus
Caracal
Species
caracal
Species authority
(Schreber, 1776)
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
Avenant NL, Drouilly M, Power RJ, Thorn M, Martins Q, Neils A, du Plessis J, Do Linh San E
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.
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
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
319577
Taxon name
Canis mesomelas
Schreber, 1775
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Canis mesomelas
Schreber, 1775
Common name(s)
Black-backed Jackal
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
carnivora
Family
canidae
Genus
Canis
Species
mesomelas
Species authority
Schreber, 1775
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
Minnie L, Avenant NL, Kamler J, Butler H, Parker D, Drouilly M, du Plessis J, Do Linh San E
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.
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
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
319576
Taxon name
Canis adustus
Sundevall, 1847
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Canis adustus
Sundevall, 1847
Common name(s)
Side-striped Jackal
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
carnivora
Family
canidae
Genus
Canis
Species
adustus
Species authority
Sundevall, 1847
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
Camacho G, Child MF, Do Linh San E
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.
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
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
319575
Taxon name
Atilax paludinosus
(G.[Baron] Cuvier, 1829)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Atilax paludinosus
(G.[Baron] Cuvier, 1829)
Common name(s)
Water Mongoose
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
carnivora
Family
herpestidae
Genus
Atilax
Species
paludinosus
Species authority
(G.[Baron] 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
Least Concern
Abbreviated status
LC
Criteria system used
IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment details
Year assessed
2016
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
Baker C, Stuart C, Stuart M, Nquinana A, Peinke D, Maddock AH, Perrin MR, Somers MJ, Do Linh San E
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.
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
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
319574
Taxon name
Arctocephalus tropicalis
(J. E. Gray, 1872)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Arctocephalus tropicalis
(J. E. Gray, 1872)
Common name(s)
Subantarctic Fur Seal
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
carnivora
Family
otariidae
Genus
Arctocephalus
Species
tropicalis
Species authority
(J. E. Gray, 1872)
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
Hofmeyr GJG, de Bruyn PJN, Wege M, Bester MN
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.
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
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
319573
Taxon name
Arctocephalus pusillus
(Schreber, 1775)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Arctocephalus pusillus
(Schreber, 1775)
Common name(s)
Cape Fur Seal
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
carnivora
Family
otariidae
Genus
Arctocephalus
Species
pusillus
Species authority
(Schreber, 1775)
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
Kirkman SP, Hofmeyr GJG, Seakamela SM, Pistorius, PA
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.
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
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
319572
Taxon name
Arctocephalus gazella
(Peters, 1875)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Arctocephalus gazella
(Peters, 1875)
Common name(s)
Antarctic Fur Seal
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
carnivora
Family
otariidae
Genus
Arctocephalus
Species
gazella
Species authority
(Peters, 1875)
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
Hofmeyr GJG, de Bruyn PJN, Bester MN, Wege M
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.
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
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
319571
Taxon name
Aonyx capensis
(Schinz, 1821)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Aonyx capensis
(Schinz, 1821)
Common name(s)
Cape Clawless Otter
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
carnivora
Family
mustelidae
Genus
Aonyx
Species
capensis
Species authority
(Schinz, 1821)
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
Near Threatened
Abbreviated status
NT
Criteria system used
IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment details
Year assessed
2016
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
Okes N, Ponsonby DW, Rowe-Rowe D, Avenant NL, Somers MJ
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.
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
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
319570
Taxon name
Acinonyx jubatus
(Schreber, 1775)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Acinonyx jubatus
(Schreber, 1775)
Common name(s)
Cheetah
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
chordata
Class
mammalia
Order
carnivora
Family
felidae
Genus
Acinonyx
Species
jubatus
Species authority
(Schreber, 1775)
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
Van der Merwe V, Marnewick K, Bissett C, Groom R, Mills MGL, Durant 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.
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
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.