Found on the coast of West Africa, Guinea is exceptionally abundant in all kinds of wildlife. The country is unique in that it encloses a variety of habitats including dry savanna woodlands and forests in the lowlands and mountains. The southern part of the country is also part of a vast biodiversity hotspot called the Guinean forests of West Africa. Many of Guinea’s animals, including birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and insects are shared with its neighboring countries of Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Sierra Leone, Cote d’Ivoire, and Liberia. Following are facts about Guinea’s wildlife.
The Official National Animal of Guinea
The national animal of the wonderfully unique country of Guinea is the African elephant, specifically the African forest elephant, Loxodonta africana. One of the largest and most magnificent mammals, the African elephant is endangered in much of its range. Once ranging widely throughout central and southern Africa and found in a variety of habitats, including deserts and beaches, elephant populations are now mostly found in protected areas around the continent. Some of those protected areas are to be found in Guinea.
Where To Find The Top Wild Animals in Guinea
The top wild animals in Guinea are most often seen in its reserves and national parks. These are the National Park of Upper Niger, a 214 square mile park near the center of the country, and Pinselly Classified Forest, which is found in the Fouta Djallon Highlands. Pinselly is famous for being a haven for the Western chimpanzee, which is critically endangered. The 213.9 square miles Badlar National Park is found right on the border of Senegal and indeed can be thought of as part of Senegal’s Niokolo-Koba National Park.
Like Badlar National Park, Guinea shares Ziama Massif with a neighboring country, in this case, Liberia. Though it’s known for the diversity of its flora, Ziama Massif shelters over 500 types of animals. Bossou Hills Reserve is also famous for sheltering chimpanzees. Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve is shared by Guinea and Cote d’Ivoire and has an abundance of animals that are unique to the area, including species of toads that give birth to live young. The 21,833 square mile Diécké Classified Forest is shared with Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The Most Dangerous Animals In Guinea Today
The most dangerous animals in Guinea are the most dangerous wildlife in all of the Africa continent. Here are facts about some of them:
- African buffalo — African buffalo can be extraordinarily aggressive and dangerous. It is said that an African buffalo that has been wounded will lie in wait for its attacker to return then take its revenge. Every year about 200 people are gored by an African buffalo and thousands of people are charged.
- Hippopotamus — The hippopotamus looks like it can’t maneuver very well on dry land, so people tend to underestimate how aggressive these mammals can be. This animal kills about 500 people every year in Africa.
- West African lion — Lions in Africa are believed to kill 250 people every year.
- African puff adder — a single bite from this aggressive snake can have enough venom to kill an adult human within about 25 hours if they’re not treated.
- Anopheles mosquito — species of this mosquito transmit malaria, a disease responsible for 200,000 deaths a year in West Africa, and some claim the death toll can be as high as 1,000,000.
- Elephant — the male members of Guinea’s national animal can be aggressive, especially if they’re in a condition called musth. Most elephants simply trample people to death.
Endangered Animals In Guinea
Endangered animals in Guinea include:
- African forest elephant
- West African lion. This lion is included in CITES Appendix II, and is considered vulnerable.
- Pygmy hippopotamus
- Western giant eland
- Western chimpanzee
These animals are endangered through hunting, poaching and habitat fragmentation and destruction.