Western Sahara

61 threatened species · Biodiversity Intelligence Dashboard

Threatened Species

61

CR + EN + VU

Critically Endangered

10

Highest risk

Endangered

16

Very high risk

Vulnerable

35

High risk

Declining

43%

26 species

Category Breakdown
CR 10
EN 16
VU 35
CR: 10
EN: 16
VU: 35

Critically Endangered

1016%

Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

Endangered

1626%

Very high risk of extinction in the wild.

Vulnerable

3557%

High risk of extinction in the wild.

Threatened total — 61 species

Species by Group
🐟

fishes

23

23 threatened

🐦

birds

13

13 threatened

🐚

molluscs

8

8 threatened

🪱

other invertebrates

6

6 threatened

🦗

insects

3

3 threatened

🐾

mammals

2

2 threatened

🪸

corals

2

2 threatened

🦀

crustaceans

2

2 threatened

🐢

reptiles

1

1 threatened

🌱

plants

1

1 threatened

Global Share

0.11%

of globally threatened species

Country Rank

#200

of 250 countries

Endemic Threatened

0

Found only here

Top Threats
1.Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources25 species
2.Type Unknown/Unrecorded (pollution)14 species
3.Logging & wood harvesting12 species
4.Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals10 species
5.Marine & freshwater aquaculture10 species
6.Recreational activities9 species
7.Annual & perennial non-timber crops9 species
8.Habitat shifting & alteration9 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). Western Sahara: Biodiversity Dashboard. SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/countries/EH

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 Western Sahara?
Western Sahara 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 Western Sahara have?
Of the 61 threatened species in Western Sahara, 10 are Critically Endangered, 16 are Endangered, and 35 are Vulnerable. Together these three IUCN Red List categories make up the "threatened" total.
What is the most endangered species in Western Sahara?
Among the 10 Critically Endangered species in Western Sahara, Shad (Alosa fallax) 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 Western Sahara?
SpeciesRadar does not yet catalogue protected areas for Western Sahara. 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 Western Sahara?
The most affected groups in Western Sahara, by number of threatened species, are fishes (23), birds (13), and molluscs (8). The full taxonomic breakdown is shown on the country dashboard.
What are the biggest threats to wildlife in Western Sahara?
The leading threats to threatened species in Western Sahara are fishing & harvesting aquatic resources, type unknown/unrecorded (pollution), logging & wood harvesting, and hunting & trapping terrestrial animals. Each threat is mapped to the species it affects in the country's threat breakdown.
How many of Western Sahara's threatened species have declining populations?
26 of Western Sahara'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 Western Sahara compare to other countries for threatened species?
Western Sahara ranks #200 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 Western Sahara 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 Western Sahara profile — species, national red list, and protected areas — can be downloaded as a CSV spreadsheet or a branded PDF report.