Being aware of which animals are pitifully disappearing is part of being an eco-friendly traveller.

We've already covered the bigwigs.

Read on to discover which animals need your help. Next time you do a bush trip, check some of them out and contribute positively to projects that aim to stop the complete disappearance of these animals on our earth.

Riverine rabbits

These nocturnal rabbits are rare and prefer solitude to large pack travelling. They are also unusually low breeders, falling out of step with the usual rabbit reputation. They are endemic to the Western Cape.

They've disappeared twice before back in the early 1900s. They are around now but endangered. This is thanks to hunting and loss of habitat due to farming, firewood collection and dams that have drained the rabbits' much-loved rivers and ravines.

The riverine rabbits are currently conserved by the Wildlife Trust Riverine Rabbit Working Group and the Northern Cape nature conservation departments among others. See how you can help the next time you're in the area.

Blue whales

At 181 metric tons and about 33 metres at their longest, the blue whales are easily believed to be the biggest animals ever in existence. It is found in all oceans around the world.

Commercial whaling during the 20th century nearly annihilated the species. Despite it being banned in 1964, some whale hunters persisted, especially from Asia and the Soviet Union. Today, the negative impact of environmental changes on krill, the blue whale's primary food, is also responsible for declining Blue whale populations.

If you’re lucky you might see smaller versions of these majestic whales in the Indian Ocean. Otherwise contact the WWF conservation to see how you can help.

African wild dogs

These dogs are similarly sized to the domestic dog. Its grossly dotted appearance makes it easily recognisable. Most people are afraid of these as they live in packs of up to twenty. They're mostly found in the areas around the south of the Sahara.

These animals are almost as critically endangered as the black rhino. About
4 000 remain but conservation of the breed is difficult as they need very large homes. They are mostly killed by famers and hunters.

There are various organisations trying to make sure these dogs don't disappear into the void of extinction. African Wild Dog Conservation is one of them. They are based in Zambia's Lower Zambezi and South Luangwa National Parks. Next time you’re in Zambia, pay them a visit.

African Elephants

Any South African knows what an African Elephant looks like. But it might not be immediately apparent that these giants are threatened. They are not critically endangered but they are under threat and if more isn't done to protect them they might join that list soon.

The African elephants are threatened by the continuing ivory trade and loss of natural habitat that's being turned into residential land for humans. The illegal African ivory trade goes all the way into Asia.

You can see African elephants at most safari destinations around the country. And you can help by supporting organisations that are fighting against the illegal ivory trade.

There are many other animals that are critically endangered, endangered, or threatened. Do what you can to help out during and after your travels.

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