Cameroon

Cameroon

1,288 threatened species · Biodiversity Intelligence Dashboard

Threatened Species

1,288

CR + EN + VU

Critically Endangered

276

Highest risk

Endangered

484

Very high risk

Vulnerable

528

High risk

Declining

48%

616 species

Category Breakdown
CR 276
EN 484
VU 528
CR: 276
EN: 484
VU: 528

Critically Endangered

27621%

Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

Endangered

48438%

Very high risk of extinction in the wild.

Vulnerable

52841%

High risk of extinction in the wild.

Threatened total — 1,288 species

Species by Group
🌱

plants

954

954 threatened

🐟

fishes

136

136 threatened

🐸

amphibians

62

62 threatened

🐾

mammals

47

47 threatened

🐦

birds

24

24 threatened

🐢

reptiles

22

22 threatened

🦗

insects

18

18 threatened

🐚

molluscs

11

11 threatened

🦀

crustaceans

8

8 threatened

🪱

other invertebrates

4

4 threatened

🍄

fungi

2

2 threatened

Global Share

2.31%

of globally threatened species

Country Rank

#27

of 253 countries

Endemic Threatened

487

Found only here

Conservation Outlook

Outlook: Deteriorating

Cameroon's biodiversity significance stems from its position at the intersection of West and Central African biogeographic zones, encompassing the Congo Basin rainforests, Guinean forest-savanna mosaic, and Cameroon Volcanic Line ecosystems. The country hosts portions of the Cross-Sanaga-Bioko coastal forests, recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot. Mount Cameroon, an active volcano, supports unique montane ecosystems with high endemism rates.

According to IUCN Red List 2025 data, all 24 assessed species in Cameroon are classified as threatened, representing a critical conservation challenge. The taxonomic focus on plants (24 species) and insects (2 species) reflects assessment priorities rather than actual diversity patterns. Key threats include deforestation driven by commercial logging in the Congo Basin forests, agricultural expansion particularly in the forest-savanna transition zones, and infrastructure development along the Cameroon Volcanic Line.

Mining activities in the eastern regions pose additional pressure on forest ecosystems, while urban expansion around Douala and Yaoundé fragments coastal forest habitats. Climate change affects montane species on Mount Cameroon and the Cameroon Highlands.

The trajectory appears concerning given the 100% threat classification rate, though this may reflect selective assessment of already-vulnerable species rather than comprehensive biodiversity status. Enhanced protected area management and community-based conservation initiatives show promise for stabilizing key ecosystems.

Congo Basin RainforestGuinean Forest-Savanna MosaicCameroon Volcanic Line Montane ForestsCross-Sanaga-Bioko Coastal ForestsSudano-Sahelian SavannaAtlantic Coastal Mangroves
Top Threats
1.Annual & perennial non-timber crops921 species
2.Logging & wood harvesting806 species
3.Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources380 species
4.Housing & urban areas368 species
5.Mining & quarrying285 species
6.Livestock farming & ranching152 species
7.Roads & railroads131 species
8.Shifting agriculture113 species

Protected Areas

30 areas · 74,024 km²

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). Cameroon: Biodiversity Dashboard. SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/countries/CM

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 Cameroon?
Cameroon has 1,288 threatened species recorded on SpeciesRadar — 276 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 Cameroon have?
Of the 1,288 threatened species in Cameroon, 276 are Critically Endangered, 484 are Endangered, and 528 are Vulnerable. Together these three IUCN Red List categories make up the "threatened" total.
What is the most endangered species in Cameroon?
Among the 276 Critically Endangered species in Cameroon, Coptodon flavus 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 Cameroon?
Cameroon has 30 protected areas catalogued on SpeciesRadar, sourced from the WDPA and national designations. Notable sites include Bénoué Biosphere Reserve, Dja Biosphere Reserve, Waza Biosphere Reserve, and Community Forests (1,200+ units), among 26 others. The full list is sortable and downloadable on the Protected Areas tab.
Which animal and plant groups are most threatened in Cameroon?
The most affected groups in Cameroon, by number of threatened species, are plants (954), fishes (136), and amphibians (62). The full taxonomic breakdown is shown on the country dashboard.
What are the biggest threats to wildlife in Cameroon?
The leading threats to threatened species in Cameroon are annual & perennial non-timber crops, logging & wood harvesting, fishing & harvesting aquatic resources, and housing & urban areas. Each threat is mapped to the species it affects in the country's threat breakdown.
How many threatened species are found only in Cameroon?
Cameroon has 487 threatened species that are endemic — found nowhere else on Earth. Because their entire global population depends on this one country, they are especially vulnerable to local habitat loss.
How many of Cameroon's threatened species have declining populations?
616 of Cameroon'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 Cameroon compare to other countries for threatened species?
Cameroon ranks #27 of 253 countries by number of threatened species, and accounts for roughly 2.31% 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 Cameroon 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 Cameroon profile — species, national red list, and protected areas — can be downloaded as a CSV spreadsheet or a branded PDF report.