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African Wildlife Animals, Vacation ExperienceThe African Wild Animals
It is important to know that are formed for the preservation of such species. The most notable organization devoted to this purpose is the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). One of its valuable contributions is presenting the Red List, and this is a detailed record of endangered plants and animals around the world. Species under the Red List are placed under categories which are defined based on actual population and factors affecting a species' decline, among other statistics. The domestic donkey is said to be a direct descendant of the African Wild Ass. It actually played a significant part in the history of some regions in Africa. An African Wild Ass was used as a pack animal for the Ancient Egyptians. Drawings of this creature have even been found in Northern African caves. The African Wild Ass is gray to light brown in colour, and a black stripe usually runs along its back. On the ends of their black-and-white striped legs are narrow hooves, or 'shoes' which help them move faster and safer in rocky terrain. The African Wild Ass is an herbivore, and its mouth makes it capable of eating tough and thorny bushes left alone by other plant eaters. They are also known to survive for as long as three days without water. Over the past centuries African Wild Asses and other pack animals have been captured to be used in fields and caravans. These creatures are adapted for the tough burden of life. The largest number of domesticated African Wild Asses had little to contribute to the species' survival. It usually mated with other donkeys in captivity, yielding mixed breeds. Those African Wild Asses which literally remained in the 'wild' could very well be the ancestors of the few left roaming in the arid areas close to the coast of the Red Sea. They are hunted and are pitted against domesticated animals when it comes to obtaining good grazing grounds and water sources. The recent count has placed only a few hundreds are left in the wild. The Riverine Rabbit also known as the Bunolagus monticularis The Riverine Rabbit is native to the South African inland basin known as the Karoo. This brown, tall-eared rabbit is quite attractive with its visual features. Around the eyes of a Riverine Rabbit is a ring which is distinctively white in colour. This serves as a good contrast to the black stripes which run from the corners of its mouth over its cheeks, looking like a moustache or a collar. These nocturnal rabbits seem to settle in densely vegetated locations in and around the Karoo. Here, the rabbits enjoy the different shrubs and flowers that are included in their diet. Additionally, these locations provide good cover for them as they tend to their young and go about their peaceful lives. It is unfortunate that their tactics in concealment are simply inadequate against the many threats to its survival. The Riverine Rabbits are in danger of being hunted by predators easily. Farmers that clear more and more plots of land in the Karoo take away valuable grazing area, forcing the rabbits to compete with other herbivores more frequently. There is one more final and most painful fact which contributes to the decline in numbers for the Riverine Rabbit. Rabbits are generally known to breed quickly, but for some reason the Riverine Rabbit is the exception of this virtue. Female Riverine Rabbits gives birth to a poor average of 1-2 young every year. These circumstances have made it one of the rarest mammals on earth. There are only roughly 200 Riverine Rabbits left on the planet. The African Wild Ass and Riverine Rabbit are two beautiful creatures that serve as a living example of the continent's beauty. But there are obviously many more African animals found on the Red List. Let us join the effort in protecting these critically endangered animals. About the AuthorRichard Dickson is a freelance Writer in Africa.For adventures,visit Kenya Safari Maasai, and Gorilla Safari Uganda or Chimpanzee Tracking
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Television movies and documentaries have described Africa as a continent reach with wildlife, exotic plants, and tribes with their own unique traditions and rituals. While this may be true, the continent is no stranger to the world's demand to keep up with the times. However, Africa is not a stranger to the fact that there are certain species are endangered as an effect of urbanization.
