Botswana

61 threatened species · Biodiversity Intelligence Dashboard

Threatened Species

61

CR + EN + VU

Critically Endangered

10

Highest risk

Endangered

20

Very high risk

Vulnerable

31

High risk

Declining

62%

38 species

Category Breakdown
CR 10
EN 20
VU 31
CR: 10
EN: 20
VU: 31

Critically Endangered

1016%

Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

Endangered

2033%

Very high risk of extinction in the wild.

Vulnerable

3151%

High risk of extinction in the wild.

Threatened total — 61 species

Species by Group
🐦

birds

25

25 threatened

🐾

mammals

11

11 threatened

🌱

plants

10

10 threatened

🐟

fishes

6

6 threatened

🦗

insects

5

5 threatened

🐢

reptiles

1

1 threatened

🐸

amphibians

1

1 threatened

🍄

fungi

1

1 threatened

🦀

crustaceans

1

1 threatened

Global Share

0.11%

of globally threatened species

Country Rank

#201

of 250 countries

Endemic Threatened

0

Found only here

Top Threats
1.Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals30 species
2.Annual & perennial non-timber crops25 species
3.Livestock farming & ranching22 species
4.Logging & wood harvesting22 species
5.Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources14 species
6.Housing & urban areas13 species
7.Intentional use: hunting/trapping12 species
8.Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases12 species

How to Cite

IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS

GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org

This page: SpeciesRadar (2026). Botswana: Biodiversity Dashboard. SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/countries/BW

Species counts reflect IUCN Red List threatened categories (CR, EN, VU). · Full citation guide & data usage terms

Frequently asked questions

How many threatened species are in Botswana?
Botswana has 61 threatened species recorded on SpeciesRadar — 10 of those are Critically Endangered, facing an extremely high risk of extinction. The figures combine IUCN Red List data with national red list assessments where available.
How many Critically Endangered, Endangered, and Vulnerable species does Botswana have?
Of the 61 threatened species in Botswana, 10 are Critically Endangered, 20 are Endangered, and 31 are Vulnerable. Together these three IUCN Red List categories make up the "threatened" total.
What is the most endangered species in Botswana?
Among the 10 Critically Endangered species in Botswana, Kariba Tilapia (Oreochromis mortimeri) is one of the most at-risk — featured prominently on the country dashboard. The full list of Critically Endangered species is filterable on the Species tab.
What protected areas exist in Botswana?
SpeciesRadar does not yet catalogue protected areas for Botswana. Where available, protected-area data is drawn from the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) and national designations.
Which animal and plant groups are most threatened in Botswana?
The most affected groups in Botswana, by number of threatened species, are birds (25), mammals (11), and plants (10). The full taxonomic breakdown is shown on the country dashboard.
What are the biggest threats to wildlife in Botswana?
The leading threats to threatened species in Botswana are hunting & trapping terrestrial animals, annual & perennial non-timber crops, livestock farming & ranching, and logging & wood harvesting. Each threat is mapped to the species it affects in the country's threat breakdown.
How many of Botswana's threatened species have declining populations?
38 of Botswana's threatened species have populations that are still declining. Reversing these trends is the central focus of the conservation work the country dashboard tracks.
How does Botswana compare to other countries for threatened species?
Botswana ranks #201 of 250 countries by number of threatened species, and accounts for roughly 0.11% of all threatened species tracked worldwide. Threat is geographically concentrated, so a high rank reflects both rich biodiversity and intense pressure on it.
Where does the data for Botswana come from, and can I download it?
SpeciesRadar draws on the IUCN Red List, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), the World Database on Protected Areas, and national red lists. Every table on the Botswana profile — species, national red list, and protected areas — can be downloaded as a CSV spreadsheet or a branded PDF report.