Endangered Species of the Kgalagadi

Mammalian carnivores are well represented in the park, comprising six families.

Five cat species namely lion Panthera leo, leopard Panthera pardus, cheetah Acinonyx jubatus, caracal Felis caracal and African wild cat Felis lybica can be seen.

There are also three hyaena species namely spotted hyaena Crocuta crocuta, brown hyaena Hyaena brunnea and aardwolf Proteles cristatus.

Three canid species namely black-backed jackal Canis mesomelas, bat-eared fox Otocyon megalotis and Cape fox Vulpes chama are also found in the park.

The endangered African wild dog Lycoan pictus was last recorded in the park in 1984 when a small pack settled close to the Nossob rest camp (Mills and Mills 2013).

Two Mustelids, (honey badger Mellivora capensis and striped polecat Ictonyx striatus), three Herpestids, (Meerkat Suricata suricatta, yellow mongoose Cynictis penicillata and slender mongoose Galerella sanguinea) and one Viverrid, small-spotted genet Genetta genetta are also found in the park.

Sightings of the banded mongoose Mungos mungo have been reported around Nossob and in the far north; however they do not appear to be resident in the park. Because of its size, habitat and pristine status, the KTP is one of the few areas where these species can exist under near natural conditions and exhibit their full range of behavioural and ecological evolutionary adaptations in the purest form of biodiversity conservation.

Here again through its incorporation into the KTP, the park plays a crucial role in maintaining a natural predator-prey system. Two threatened species, lion and cheetah, and a unique gemsbok hunting spotted hyaena population are important components of this system.
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Amphibian

Pyxicephalus adspersus Giant bullfrog Near threatened

Birds

Gyps coprotheres White-backed vulture Endangered
Torgos tracheliotus Lappet faced vulture Endangered

Aegypius occipitalis White-headed vulture Endangered
Polemaetus bellicosus Martial eagle Endangered

Neotis ludwigii Ludwig’s bustard Endangered
Terathopius ecaudatus Bateleur Endangered

Aquila rapax Tawny eagle Endangered
Circus maurus Black harrier Endangered
Falco biarmicus Lanner falcon Vulnerable
Sagittarius serpentarius Secretary bird Vulnerable
Ardeotis kori Kori bustard Near Threatened