Wildlife of
Cabo Verde

Primary Threats

• Rising temperatures and increasing rainfall variability intensify drought frequency and severity, worsening water scarcity and vegetation stress on already arid islands. Sea-level rise and stronger storm surges threaten low-lying coastal habitats and nesting beaches for sea turtles (notably on islands like Boa Vista and Sal), while ocean warming and acidification can affect marine productivity that supports fisheries and seabirds.
• Coastal habitat loss occurs through tourism-oriented development, shoreline hardening, sand extraction in some areas, and expansion of settlements and roads near beaches and dunes. On land, limited fertile areas face pressure from cultivation and grazing, contributing to the decline/fragmentation of native dry forests and shrublands, especially on more mountainous islands where remnant native vegetation persists.
• Artisanal fishing is economically and culturally central, but nearshore stocks can be depleted by high fishing pressure, including capture of vulnerable species (some sharks/rays) and competition with industrial/foreign fleets operating in Cape Verde's waters. Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and weak monitoring capacity can undermine sustainable management, affecting food security and marine biodiversity.
• Introduced predators (e.g., rats and feral cats) depredate seabird eggs/chicks on nesting islets and coastal cliffs, reducing breeding success of globally important colonies. Invasive plants and free-ranging livestock can suppress regeneration of native island flora and increase erosion, particularly where native vegetation is already sparse and fragmented.
• Marine litter-especially plastics-accumulates on beaches due to ocean currents and local waste-management limitations, threatening sea turtles (entanglement/ingestion) and degrading tourism and nesting habitat quality. Localized sewage and runoff near growing urban/coastal areas can affect water quality in bays and nearshore ecosystems.
• Chronic freshwater scarcity is exacerbated by over-abstraction of groundwater and salinization in coastal aquifers, constraining ecosystem restoration and increasing reliance on desalination. Overgrazing and fuelwood collection in some rural areas can further deplete vegetation cover and soil fertility, amplifying desertification processes.
• Nighttime activity, beach traffic, off-road driving on dunes, lighting from resorts, and uncontrolled visitation can disturb nesting sea turtles and seabirds. Disturbance is especially acute on high-use tourism beaches where nesting overlaps with peak visitation periods.
• Roads, ports, coastal defenses, and tourism infrastructure can fragment remaining habitats and alter sediment dynamics. Artificial lighting associated with coastal development disorients sea turtle hatchlings and can reduce nesting success on key beaches.
• Direct hunting pressure is generally lower than in many mainland contexts, but opportunistic take of some wildlife (including historically seabirds or turtles in some areas) has occurred; even low levels can be significant for slow-reproducing island populations if enforcement and community buy-in are weak.
• Island wildlife populations can be vulnerable to novel pathogens; risks include disease introduction via pets/livestock and impacts on seabird colonies or endemic reptiles. Monitoring capacity is limited, making early detection and response challenging, particularly during climate-stress years that can increase susceptibility.