Fauna
The fauna of the CRA consists of 209 mammal species, of which two are endemic and 11 are threatened. The threatened species listed in the 2004 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals are: endangered species namely, common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), gorilla (Gorilla gorilla), Giant African Water Shrew (Potamogale velox), Red colobus (Procolobus badius) and wild dog (Lycaon pictus); and the vulnerable species are African elephant (Loxodonta africana), African golden cat (Profelis aurata), cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), Gounda mouse (Mus goundae); endemic species are Hun shrew (Crocidura attila), lion (Panthera leo), and Oubangui mouse (Mus oubanguii), red-fronted gazelle (Gazella rufifrons) and spotted-necked otter (Lutra maculicollis). The Gabon Dwarf Shrew (Suncus remyi), which was critically endangered in the past is now a species of least concern.
The wildlife of CRA featured on a sheet of the Boy Scouts' Association 1997 contains Lilac-breasted Roller (Coracias caudatus), Red Kite, Great White Pelican, Cattle Egret, wild dog, gnu, panther, African elephant, buffalo, hippopotamus and leopards, though no stamps of the wildlife have been issued.
Almost every animal of the tropics is found here, including the elephant; its ivory was once a major source of wealth but has declined in economic importance. The southwest has a colourful variety of butterflies. The faunal species are listed in the Animal Diversity Web site of the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, some of which are mentioned in the following sections. Both crocodiles and hippopotamuses are found in the rivers.
Read more about this topic: Wildlife Of The Central African Republic
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