An estimated 400 gorillas are killed each year in Africa. Popular for their bushmeat, gorillas are turned into smoked meat and sold in markets in the Republic of Congo. On top of being targeted by humans, the animals have a very low reproduction rate, making it very difficult for them to replenish in numbers.
Source: Mongabay.com
This animal is considered critically endangered however hunting of the Black Rhinoceros is still legal in Namibia and South Africa, with certain limitations. Asian markets, which use Rhinoceroses horns for medicinal purposes, have put further pressure on African hunters to deliver the animal.
Source: Panda.org
The Hippopotamus is considered “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The species has notably decreased throughout western Africa and the Nile region and is now mostly found mostly in East Africa. The hippopotamus can be hunted in Tanzania and Ethiopia.
Source: Pawnation.com
Although the cheetah is the fastest land animal in the world, it cannot outrun the dangerous human. Up to 150 cheetahs per year can be legally hunted in Namibia. Cheetah hunting is also legal in Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Source: F0dors.com
Leopard hunting is a popular sport throughout Africa, and special leopard hunting safaris are even offered. In particular, young male leopards are hunted, which is problematic for the species because without them, leopard cubs are left vulnerable.
Source: Plosone.org
Bonobo babies are quickly filling up primate sanctuaries as their parents are being hunted for their meat. Bonobo hunting is particularly active along the Lomami River and in forests of the Congo.
Source: Nationalgeographic.com
The Pangolin is a nocturnal mammal that looks like an armor-plated lizard. Because they live in well-concealed habitats, it’s hard to determine exactly how much the Pangolin’s population has dropped in numbers. That being said, hunting Pangolin has become illegal in China—where it’s used in cooking—and so the Chinese have turned to African hunters to import the meat.
Source: Cnn.com
The Green Sea Turtle is one of the largest sea turtles and although it is a peaceful herbivore, it sadly has both animal and human predators. In West Africa, the animal is hunted for medicinal purposes, as well as some traditional ceremonies.
Source: Worldwildlife.org
While the Lion might be one of the biggest predators in the animal kingdom, he is no match for human weapons. Lion hunting is still very much active in South Africa. In fact, one Arizona restaurant made lion meat burgers from meat they’d purchased from South Africa.
Source: Africanskyhunting.co.za
Manatees are easy targets for hunters for two reasons: they’re enormous, and they don’t move around much. Throughout West Africa manatees are hunted for their skin, their bones (which are turned into potions), and their natural oils. The international trade of any part of this animal is closely monitored, as hunting it in other parts of the world—like the U.S.—is illegal.
Source: Arkive.org
Sharks, scary as they may be, are an important part of the marine ecosystem, but reports have predicted over 70 million are caught each year. St. Louis Village in Senegal is a big shark-landing site, and the local fishermen make good income selling shark meat to Asia.
Source: Terradaily.com
Elephant hunting has been banned in most African countries, and for foreign hunters, bringing home parts of elephants from some countries, like Tanzania and Zimbabwe, has also been banned. However, it is still legal for hunters to bring home trophies from hunted elephants in South Africa and Namibia.
Source: Cnn.com
