Wildlife of
Ghana

There are 221 amphibian and reptile species, 724 bird species, and 225 mammalian species in this nation renowned for its copious quantities of gold which sits on the West African coast with its upper limits extending just shy of the Sahara desert.

Of the bird species found in Ghana, about 66% live in the country all the time while the others are seasonal visitors. At least 20 species of endemic or near-endemic species of butterflies live in the country. That said climate change, a shrinking habitat, and possible poaching may pose a threat to existing wildlife populations in the coastal nation.

The Official National Animal of Ghana

The tawny eagle is the national animal of Ghana. This bird was chosen as a symbol of protection and strength. Two tawny eagles appear on the country’s crest, their gaze vigilant as though overseeing the wellbeing of the nations.

A large raptor somewhat reminiscent of a golden eagle with lighter-colored plumage, this avian can be found throughout western Africa, eastern, and southern Africa, and India. It may also be found in a few north African locations, such as south-central Morocco and even Algeria.

This national emblem is a skilled hunter although it is not above eating carrion or engaging in theft to obtain a meal. Compared to other eagles which live in the tropics, it enjoys a rather varied diet and hunts 200 species including flamingos, genets, and pigeons. The tawny eagle has a preference for savannahs, dry steppes, and desert regions.

As far as eagles go, the tawny eagle certainly isn’t the biggest and is actually considered rather small in size for a member of the Aquila genus, and medium-sized in general. That said, it is pretty large for a raptor and is capable of reaching 30 inches in length, and 7 lbs in weight.

The eagle is fairly tolerant of humans in Asia and may remain passive when approached by observers as long as a certain distance is maintained. About 100,000 individuals are believed to exist in the wild, at present.

Where To Find The Top Wildlife in Ghana

If you want to see wildlife in Ghana, visit the country’s different ecosystems. As various animals live in each one.

• Mole National Park – In Northern Ghana, Mole National Park is a great place to go hiking, where you may see many examples of native animals, including hippos, buffalo, elephants, lions, and leopards. While you can visit animals in zoos in Ghana, like the Accra Zoo and the Kumasi Zoo, you may also want to see them in their natural surroundings.
• Bui National Park – The Black Volta River, which is home to a large herd of hippos, bisects this national park. You are also very likely to see other native animals, like antelope, leopards, and monkeys.
• Boin Tano Forest Reserve – The swampy area created by the Bisao and Tano rivers at this reserve is a great place to see endangered yellow-backed duiker and ursine colobus primates. This reserve’s bush-filled areas are also a fantastic place to see many of Ghana’s endangered birds, including white-breasted guinea fowls and the yellow-bearded greenbuls, along with other wildlife.
• Nini Suhien National Park and Ankasa Resources Reserve – Managed as one unit, this area in southern Ghana is a great place to see African elephants and endangered Diana monkeys. Look in the bush at this park and reserve to see how many of the 260 bird species known to have visited this park you can spot.
• Kakum National Park – The 1,150-foot-high Kakum Canopy Walkway is a fantastic place to spot Diana monkeys, yellow-backed duikers, red river hogs, and African elephants. This park’s bush-filled areas are home to many endangered birds, including African grey parrots and hornbills.

The Most Dangerous Animals in Ghana Today

While most Ghana animals are friendly if you do not hurt them, there are some deadly animals in the country.

• Hippopotamuses are large animals that often weigh more than 3,000 pounds, and they are highly unpredictable. They often use their tusks as weapons. Hippos have enormous teeth that can tear predators, including humans, to shreds. They are some of the most deadly animals in Ghana.
• Mosquitoes – While the mosquito is tiny, but it is one of the most deadly animals in Ghana because it can transmit malaria. If you are going to travel to Ghana, be sure to take precautions to avoid this deadly animal.
• Elephants – While elephants tend to be peaceful animals when left alone when humans encroach upon their territories, elephants often become dangerous. They often crush people to death.
• Black mamba – The black mamba is the longest poisonous snake in Africa, and it can strike up to 12 times within a minute. These strikes shut down the respiratory system, so they are generally fatal. Help usually cannot act fast enough, which makes this one of the most dangerous animals in Ghana.
• Lions – While the number of lions in Ghana is relatively small, there have been reports of lions killing humans.

Endangered Animals In Ghana

There are many types of endangered animals in Ghana, and the number continues to grow as humans encroach on more native habitats regularly. Other animals are poached, and their body parts are sold for use in traditional medicine. The country is home to five endangered mammals, 11 vulnerable species and 14 near-threatened species. While shrews and bats make up many of these endangered animals, there are also other threatened species. Most of them are not poisonous.

• African white-bellied pangolin: Also known as the tree pangolin (Phataginus tricuspid), this elusive mammal looks something like a sentient pineapple, with its pale three-pointed scales which seem to slightly extend outwards. Found in Western, Central, and Eastern Africa, it prefers humid heavily forested areas.
• Baer’s wood mouse: A tiny rodent with light brown fur, this wood mouse also has large dark eyes, and can be found in neighboring Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast. Not much is known about the diminutive critter although scientists agree it is threatened by its shrinking habitat.
• Big-eyed forest treefrog: This medium-sized, arboreal amphibian is characterized by light brown skin, bulging brown eyes, and large dark pupils. It is mostly found close to streams.

Other endangered species include:

• Bobini reed frog
• Dark-brown serotine
• Ghana river frog
• Ivory Coast frog
• Ivory Coast running frog
• Johnston’s genet
• Liberia River frog
• Olive colobus
• Sooty mangabey

The Largest Animal in Ghana

Ghana’s largest animal is the African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) which can be found in its deciduous evergreen forests. Like their larger relatives, the African savannah elephant, they possess two protuberances at the end of their trunks. Unlike them, however, males of this subspecies reach a maximum height of 9 feet at the shoulder and are capable of weighing of 7 tons at the most.

Like their southern cousins, they are also highly sociable and can form groups as large as 20 individuals comprising of mothers, calves, and youngsters, under the sage direction of the family matriarch. They also enjoy a diet of calcium-rich bark, leaves, and fruits, and sip on mineral-rich water while also taking advantage of mineral licks to supplement their nutritional needs.

Unlike their cousins, their tusks are straight rather than curved and point downwards. These pachyderms which were revered as a symbol of power in ancient Ghana have experienced a drastic decline in terms of their population: at the start of the 19th century, they numbered 26 million as opposed to less than 100,000 today.

The Rarest Animal in Ghana

The giant pangolin (Smutsia gigantea) is one of this west African nation’s rarest, and most elusive creatures. Found along the heavily forested regions close to the Atlantic coast, the largest of all pangolin species can also be found in Central and Eastern Africa. It is also capable of living in the savanna and prefers lowlands with water supplies.

The insectivore which spends its spare time breaking open termite mounds and extracting proteinous goodness thanks to a sticky tongue, is capable of measuring 16 inches in length. Such a feat of strength however is often beyond young giant pangolins and they must traipse after their mother tucking in once she’s exposed the hidden arthropods by shattering their mound.

Males of the species are capable of growing to 4.6 feet and weighing up to 72 lbs. Wildlife experts aren’t too sure just how many of these scaly mammals are left in the wild. However, they are certain that poaching and an interest in their scales has resulted in them becoming rather vulnerable.

The Flag of Ghana

Ghana’s flag is comprised of red, gold, and green, with a black star situated in the center. Red symbolizes those who lost their lives as the country struggled to gain independence from British rule. The gold color symbolizes the mineral which once gave the nation its name, of which there is an abundance, as well as bauxite and diamond.

The flag’s green stripe represents Ghana’s verdant forests and fertile land which provides abundant crops and the timber and shea butter it is renowned for. Finally, the black star, also known as the Lodestar of African Freedom, represents Ghanaians’ ownership and control over their land. The flag itself was designed by artist and academic Theodosia Okoh and made official at the moment of the nation’s independence from Britain, on March 6, 1957.