Threatened predatory animals

Predatory animals at risk of extinction

Nature

Hunting, trapping, and poisoning have been the traditional response to animals considered predators, and have endangered numerous species.

Incidence

Globally, populations of predatory animals such as big cats, large raptors, and marine predators have experienced precipitous declines, with many species listed as threatened or endangered. Fragmentation of habitats, depletion of prey, human-wildlife conflict, and targeted poaching have caused the loss of apex and mesopredators across several continents, fundamentally altering ecosystem dynamics. Recent IUCN assessments highlight critical vulnerabilities in regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America, where protective measures are often inadequate or undermined.
In 2022, Tanzania reported the continued decline of its lion population within the Selous Game Reserve due to rampant illegal poaching and habitat encroachment, highlighting the persistent threats faced by predatory wildlife despite the area’s protected status.