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.
African Wild Cat Species
Big Cats
The cheetah, leopard and lion are the big cats in Africa. Cheetahs and leopards can be found throughout most of Africa in isolated populations.
Cheetahs inhabit scrub forests and savannahs. They are extremely fast, reaching speeds up to 75 mph.
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.
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.
Small Wild Cats
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.
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Wild Cat Conservation in Africa
Here is a list of groups and organizations involved in African wild cat conservation:
Carries out a research project at Benfontein Nature Reserve and Nuwejaarsfontein Farm in central South Africa, where seven black-footed cats have been radio-collared.
Wildlife Conservation Network - Preserve the nation's cheetah population through scientific research, community outreach and education, working with rural communities to promote coexistence with Botswana's rich diversity of predator species.
A non-profit organisation, founded in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1988, that seeks a better life for all people without exploiting other people or degrading their environment; animal action campaign.
Advances the conservation of the world’s 37 felidae species and their habitats through a combination of pioneering research, compelling education and state-of-the-art technology.
The Lion Conservation Fund (LCF) supports projects that esatblish the distribution and abundance of African lions in areas of great global conservation importance.
Living with Lions is a conservation research group of seven scientists and 34 Maasai warriors working in nonprotected areas of Kenya to save the remaining wild lions and other predators outside National Parks.
The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) is the only non-governmental organization (NGO) in Mauritius to be exclusively concerned with the conservation and preservation of the nation's endangered plant and animal species.
Provides support for the people and wildlife of Zambia (lion research and the elimination of meat poaching) as well as working for grizzly bear conservation in the northwestern US.
Responsible cheetah breeding and re-wilding concepts in the form of teaching them to hunt naturally in the ideal environment is possible and has also been achieved by us.
The Tanzania Carnivore Conservation Project at the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI) is funded by the Zoological Society of London and the British Government to build the capacity of the TAWIRI to monitor and conserve carnivores.
Manages the longest-running in-depth study of a wild cheetah population, and is now estabishing a scheme for monitoring cheetah numbers across the country.
The Cape Leopard Trust aims to optimally facilitate conservation of the Cape's predator diversity through simultaneously implementing conservation strategies, research projects and tourism initiativ
Promoting conservation through lifelong education, environmental regeneration, research on and protection of wildlife, sustainable income opportunities, and the application of appropriate agricultural technologies; Sub-Saharan Lion Project
A Kenya and US registered charitable organization founded by African conservationist Dr Richard Leakey. Connects conservationists working on the frontlines with those who care about wildlife worldwide; Kilimanjaro Lion Conservation Project
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