At Africa's southern tip lies South Africa, a land of contrasts and beauty. From the wild beauty of the Cape Floristic Region to the arid stretch of the Karoo Desert, South Africa's diverse landscapes set the stage for an incredible array of wildlife. Known for iconic destinations like Kruger National Park, South Africa is home to some of the world's most captivating creatures. In this journey through South Africa's wildlife wonders, let's focus on four of the country's most remarkable animals: the regal lion, the charming African penguin, the endangered rhinoceros and the majestic right whales.
The lion: King of the savanna
Lions, often called the "kings of the savanna," embody regal authority as apex predators. These majestic animals roam South Africa's national parks and reserves, such as Kruger National Park and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
Lions are social animals, typically forming a pride that consists of male lions, lionesses and their cubs. Male lions are recognized for their impressive manes, while lionesses take on most of the hunting. Their diet mainly consists of large herbivores such as antelopes, zebras and even young elephants.
A male lion in South Africa's savanna. /CFP
African penguin: The waddling coastal star
The African penguin, also known as the Cape penguin, waddles along the southwestern coast of Africa. These flightless birds are easily recognizable by their sharply contrasting black and white plumage and the distinctive pink patches of skin above their eyes, which help with heat regulation. African penguins are relatively small, standing about 60 to 70 centimeters tall and weighing around 2.1 to 3.7 kilograms. They breed on rocky shores and islands, where they lay their eggs in burrows they excavate themselves or in natural depressions sheltered by vegetation.
These penguins form colonies on 24 islands between Namibia and Algoa Bay, near Port Elizabeth. This species is the only penguin species that breeds on the African continent, and their colonies have indeed contributed to the naming of the Penguin Islands. Sadly, the African penguin is classified as endangered due to factors like oil spills, overfishing of their food sources, and habitat destruction. Conservation efforts are in place, including habitat restoration and establishing new breeding colonies, to help protect this unique species.
A diving African penguin. /CFP
Rhinoceros: The horned guardian
Rhinos are some of the largest land mammals on Earth, representing the spirit of African wildlife. South Africa is home to two species of rhinoceros – the white rhino and the black rhino. The white rhino, particularly the southern white rhino, is larger and more numerous than the black rhino, inhabiting the grasslands and savannas across southern Africa, from South Africa to Zambia. The black rhino is smaller and adapted to living in bushy areas because it has a more diverse diet.
However, due to poaching – primarily for their horns – the rhino populations in South Africa are under severe threat. Local and international conservation groups are working tirelessly to protect these magnificent animals through monitoring, legislation and sanctuaries.
A mother black rhino with its calf in the savanna of South Africa. /CFP
Right whales: Gentle giants of the ocean
The southern right whale is one of the three species of right whales in the world. The species, like other right whales, is distinguished by its broad back without a dorsal fin, callosities on its head, and a long arching mouth that begins above the eye. Southern right whales have made Hermanus, a coastal town in South Africa, particularly famous for land-based whale watching, a popular whale-watching spot. From July to October, during the southern hemisphere's winter, southern right whales migrate to South Africa's coastal waters, providing visitors with spectacular views of their behaviors, like breaching, lob-tailing and spy-hopping.
Two southern right wales swim in the water near the Hermanus, South Africa. /CFP
BRICS' wildlife wonders
The BRICS nations span vast and diverse landscapes, from lush rainforests to arid deserts. Within these ecosystems lies a treasure trove of wildlife, much of which is unique to these regions. Join us on a journey to explore the extraordinary biodiversity of the BRICS countries.
BRICS' Wildlife Wonders: China
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BRICS' Wildlife Wonders: India
BRICS' Wildlife Wonders: Brazil
(Cover image designed by CGTN's Li Wenyi & Liu Shaozhen)