There are several species of wild cats in Africa, including big cats like the lion, cheetah and leopard, as well as several small wild cats – the African golden cat, caracal, serval, African wildcat, sand cat, jungle cat and the black-footed cat.
More About Africa
Africa covers approximately 6% of the earth’s surface. It is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean (west) Mediterranean Sea (north), the Suez Canal, Red Sea and Sinai Peninsula (northeast) and the Indian Ocean (southeast).
The largest country in Africa is Algeria. The country with the highest population is Nigeria.
The climate of Africa is extremely diverse, including tropical and subarctic regions. The northern part of Africa is mostly desert and extremely dry. The southern part of Africa consists of jungles, plains and steppes. Africa is believed to have more wildlife than any other place on earth. However, deforestation (cutting down wide areas of trees) is resulting in significant wildlife habitat loss.
Key geographical features of Africa include the Kalahari and Sahara Desert, Serengeti grasslands, Ethiopian Highlands, Mount Kilimanjaro and the Atlas Mountains.
According to recent studies, Africa is losing its forests twice as fast as other countries in the world – an estimated 4 million hectares a year. One hectare is the equivalent of 2.471 acres. Some researchers believe that the country may lose up to 30% of its animal and plant species by the end of the century.
The Big Cats of Africa
The cheetah, leopard and lion are the big cats in Africa. Cheetahs and leopards can be found throughout most of Africa in isolated populations.
Lions once roamed all over Africa as well, but their population has been on a steep decline. They can no longer be found in North Africa, and less than 400 lions remain in West Africa.
Leopards are a big cat with fur covered in spots called rosettes. They live in many different habitats, such as deserts, mountains, forests and grasslands.
Cheetahs inhabit scrub forests and savannahs. They are extremely fast, reaching speeds up to 75 mph.
Lion
Panthera leo
Conservation Status Vulnerable
Lions used to inhabit southeastern Europe, the Middle East, and parts of India. Although a small population still exists in India, the species now mainly resides in various parts of Africa. While it was previously believed that there were numerous lion subspecies, as of 2017, only two subspecies are considered valid.
Leopard
Panthera pardus
Conservation Status: Vulnerable
Leopards inhabit Africa, India, Asia, the Middle East, and the Malay Peninsula. They can be found in different regions, from grassland areas to rainforests. Their fur ranges in color from yellow to golden brown.
Cheetah
Acinonyx jubalus
Conservation Status: Vulnerable
Cheetahs are the fastest land animals in the world. They used to inhabit areas across India, Pakistan, Russia, Iran, and the Middle East. However, due to declining populations, most cheetahs can now only be found in the eastern and southern parts of Africa, as well as Iran. Currently, there are approximately 7,000 cheetahs left in the world.
Estimated Big Cat Populations in African Countries
| Country | Lion Population | Cheetah Population | Leopard Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tanzania | ~14,500 | 1,500–2,000 | Data not available |
| South Africa | ~3,000 | 1,166–1,742 | 4,000–5,000 |
| Namibia | Data not available | ~3,500 | 5,000–7,500 |
| Botswana | ~3,000 | 1,700–2,000 | 3,000–5,000 |
| Kenya | ~2,500 | 1,200–1,300 | 2,000–2,500 |
| Zimbabwe | ~2,500 | 165 | 1,500–2,500 |
| Zambia | ~2,500 | 100 | 1,000–1,500 |
| Mozambique | Data not available | 50–90 | Data not available |
| Malawi | Data not available | 25–30 | 200–300 |
| Angola | Data not available | 15–30 | 1,000–1,500 |
| Eswatini | Data not available | >1 | 50–100 |
| Uganda | Data not available | Data not available | 300–400 |
| Ethiopia | Data not available | Data not available | 500–1,000 |
| Somalia | Data not available | Data not available | 300–500 |
| Central African Republic | Data not available | Data not available | 500–1,000 |
| Democratic Republic of Congo | Data not available | Data not available | 1,000–2,000 |
| Gabon | Data not available | Data not available | 500–1,000 |
| Senegal | ~35 | Data not available | Data not available |
| Total Estimated in Africa | ~23,000 | ~7,100 | ~50,000 |
Big Cat Conservation Issues in Africa
Big cats are very important to Africa, but they are facing big problems that put their survival at risk. Here are the main issues:
- Habitat Loss
As more people build homes, farms, and roads, big cats are losing the wild spaces they need to live. Without enough land, it’s hard for them to find food, water, and shelter.
- Human-Wildlife Conflict
Sometimes, big cats attack farm animals like cows or goats. This makes farmers angry, and they may try to scare away or even kill the cats to protect their animals.
- Poaching and Illegal Trade
Some people hunt big cats for their skins, teeth, or bones. Others catch them to sell as pets or use in traditional medicine. This is illegal, but it still happens.
- Loss of Prey
Big cats need to hunt animals like antelope and zebra to survive. But when people hunt these animals too much or take over their land, there’s not enough food left for the big cats.
- Weather
Changes in the weather can make it harder for big cats to survive. For example, longer droughts can dry up water holes and reduce the number of prey animals.
- Weak Protection
In some areas, there aren’t enough rangers, parks, or laws to protect big cats. Even when rules exist, they’re not always followed.
The Small Wild Cats of Africa
The small wild cats in Africa are the caracal, African golden cat, serval, black-footed cat, jungle cat, African wildcat and sand cat.
The caracal is considered a relatively common cat in Africa. It has a strong build, long legs and tufted ears.
African golden cats can be found primarily in rainforests. They have an unusual ridge of fur in the front of their shoulders.
The serval, a relative of the caracal and African golden cat, can be found throughout the Sahara, usually in savannas (grasslands with occasional trees). The serval has excellent hearing and can leap several feet.
The smallest wild cat in Africa is the black-footed cat. These cats inhabit the Southwestern part of Southern Africa. Males weigh a little over 4 lbs.
Jungle cats inhabit Africa’s Nile River Valley, usually in areas with tall grass, brush or reeds. You can find them in desert regions, forested areas and near riverbeds.
The African wildcat is roughly the size of a domestic cat and can be found throughout most of Africa. The cat has extremely long legs and walks somewhat like a cheetah.
Sand cats live in the deserts of North Africa. They can also be found in some areas of West Africa. They are one of the smallest wild cats.
Small Wild Cats of Africa Population
| Species | Scientific Name | Estimated Population |
|---|---|---|
| African Wildcat | Felis lybica | Estimated 500,000+ |
| Black-footed Cat | Felis nigripes | Less than 10,000 |
| Caracal | Caracal caracal | Unknown (widespread) |
| Serval | Leptailurus serval | More than 250,000 |
| Sand Cat | Felis margarita | Unknown (rare in North Africa) |
| Jungle Cat | Felis chaus | Unknown (very rare in Africa) |
| African Golden Cat | Caracal aurata | Unknown (estimated less than 10,000) |
Small Wild Cat Conservation in Africa
Small wild cats are important to Africa as well, and have many of the same conservation issues as the larger cats, but also some different problems.
1. Loss of Habitat
As more people build homes, farms, and roads, the places where small wild cats live are being destroyed. They lose their homes and have a harder time finding food.
2. Human-Wildlife Conflict
Sometimes these cats go after chickens or small livestock. Farmers may kill them to protect their animals.
3. Poaching and Illegal Pet Trade
Some small wild cats are hunted for their fur, or taken from the wild and sold as pets, which is illegal and harmful.
4. Lack of Awareness
They don’t get much media attention as lions and cheetahs, so fewer people donate or care about protecting them.
5. Less Research
There is less research and fewer programs focused on small cat conservation.
Protecting Wild Cats and Preventing their Extinction
Saving big cats and small wild cats in Africa is very important for the health of the environment. Animals like lions, leopards, cheetahs, servals, and caracals all play a special role in nature. They help keep the number of other animals in balance by hunting prey like antelope, rabbits, and rodents. Without these cats, some animals could grow in number too fast, which could lead to problems like overgrazing and less food for other species.
Taking care of big and small wild cats helps protect the entire ecosystem. When we save these powerful and beautiful animals, we are also protecting trees, rivers, other animals, and even the air and water we all need. That’s why conservation is so important — for the animals, for the planet, and for people too.
Important African Conservation Laws
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
Summary: Regulates international trade in wildlife to ensure it does not threaten their survival. Wild cats like lions, cheetahs, and leopards are listed under its Appendices.
URL: https://cites.org/
- African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (1968/2003)
Summary: A pan-African legal framework for conservation of natural resources including wild fauna.
URL: https://au.int/en/treaties/african-convention-conservation-nature-and-natural-resources
- South Africa’s Animal Protection Act No. 71 of 1962
Summary: Prohibits cruelty to animals, including wild animals in captivity or under human control.
URL (summary via World Animal Protection): https://api.worldanimalprotection.org/regions/africa
- South Africa’s 2024 Ban on Captive Lion Breeding
Summary: South Africa announced a ban on the breeding and keeping of lions for commercial purposes such as tourism and hunting.
URL: https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/south-africa-lion-breeders-face-uncertain-future-after-ban-2024-08-30/
- South Sudan’s Penal Code Act (2008)
Summary: Includes provisions against animal cruelty, applying to wild animals as well.
URL: https://www.sudantribune.com/IMG/pdf/The_Penal_Code_Act_2008.pdf
- Nigeria’s Criminal Code Act (1990), Section 495
Summary: Criminalizes cruelty to animals, with relevance to wild animals kept in captivity or harmed.
URL (summary via World Animal Protection): https://api.worldanimalprotection.org/country/nigeria
- Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)
Summary: Promotes the conservation of migratory species, including some wild cats like the cheetah.
URL: https://www.cms.int/
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