Introduction
Several Awesome species of Malian wildlife are on the brink of loss despite their fully protected status in Mali. It is an ecological, economic and scientific disaster.
In just a few decades, Mali has lost nearly 60 million hectares of woodland, leaving only a million hectares due to deforestation resulting from human activities, climate-related hazards and wildfires. The disaster has seriously affected the country’s biodiversity, and now threatens many animal species with total extinction.
The elephants
In Mali, the last elephants face a triple threat: poaching, drought and armed conflict. To escape these dangers, they took refuge in a nature reserve located 700 km from Bamako, in the Gourma region. In 2016, the population of these elephants was estimated at around 300 individuals, according to data from the Douentza water and forest cantonment. Despite the “conservation of the Malian elephant” project supported by the UNDP and the GEF, the protection of Mali’s last remaining elephants faced serious threats which made their preservation complex.
The chimpanzee
In 2013, the National Directorate of Water and Forests recorded 2,000 chimpanzees in the Bafing reserve in Mali. Unfortunately, these species are on the brink of extinction due to the threat of hunters and jihadist groups who control the area and forest rangers are rarely found. Since 2001, chimpanzees have benefited from a protection program (GRASP) within the framework of UNEP (United Nations Environment Program).
The GIRAFFE
Formerly present in various regions of Mali, the giraffe is now rare. However, due to the lack of sufficient data, the true extent of its decline remains largely unknown. According to a water and forestry agent, three giraffes were spotted in Ménaka in 2022.
Lion
According to a USAID briefing note, the lion may no longer roar in Mali. However, the latest national report on the implementation of the convention on biological diversity indicates the presence of a few individuals in certain specific areas: Baoulé in Kolokani, Kogossambougou in Kolokani, Talikourou in Kita and Sounsa in Dioila.
The Dama Gazelle
In the heart of the Sahel, southern Tamesna in Kidal is shed to one of the last refuges of gazelles. Unfortunately, this magnificent white-sided doe is in danger, a victim of hunting and extreme drought. Its population remains small. As per the available statistics, it is difficult to determine their precise number.
The Hippopotamus
The pygmy hippopotamus, also known as the African hippopotamus, is in danger of extinction in the Sahel region. The main threats to these species are global warming, loss of their natural habitat and poaching for the ivory found in their teeth. Currently, only 125,000 species remain across the continent, making their preservation an urgent concern.
The Manatee
The manatee, present in the Inner Niger Delta, the Senegal River and lakes such as the Debo, is seriously threatened with extinction due to pollution and silting of waterways, as well as excessive fishing by residents, attracted by the particular taste of its flesh and its mystical character. It is a danger to the species’ survival.
Conclusion
The preservation of these emblematic species is of capital importance, not only to preserve the ecological balance and the diversity of Malian wildlife but also to safeguard the cultural and scientific heritage of the country. To achieve this objective, close cooperation between national and international actors is essential. To ensure a better future for these endangered species, it is essential to strengthen protection measures, raise public awareness of the importance of wildlife conservation and jointly act.
