If, when you think of Africa, you picture herds roaming across the savanna or exotic animals swinging through the rain forest, you're familiar with one of Africa's richest resources—its dizzingly diverse variety of wildlife. There are lions, elephants, gorillas, zebras, aardvarks, ostriches, crocodiles, pythons, and sharks, just to name a very, very few.
However, the loss of habitat and poaching are threatening Africa's animals, and many species are now in danger of being lost forever. That's why many African countries and governments are working to create national parks and game reserves, as well as establishing large-scale conservation efforts to ensure that Africa does not lose its animals to extinction.
Learn about conservation efforts and meet Africa's wildest residents!
Photograph of hippopotamuses in Uganda's Ruwenzori National Park by George Mobley/National Geographic Image Collection
MORE ABOUT AFRICA'S ANIMALS AND CONSERVATION
In Google Earth
Learn more about chimpanzee champion and passionate conservationist Jane Goodall's work and subjects in this beautifully done georeferenced blog. To view the blog entries, open Google Earth (get it free here) and click the box next to "Jane Goodall's Gombe Chimpanzee Blog" in the Featured Content folder. Then zoom into the African continent, click on the yellow chimp and binoculars icons, and explore!
Fun and Games
From National Geographic Xpeditions: