Lesotho

41 threatened species · Biodiversity Intelligence Dashboard

Threatened Species

41

CR + EN + VU

Critically Endangered

5

Highest risk

Endangered

14

Very high risk

Vulnerable

22

High risk

Declining

46%

19 species

Category Breakdown
CR 5
EN 14
VU 22
CR: 5
EN: 14
VU: 22

Critically Endangered

512%

Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

Endangered

1434%

Very high risk of extinction in the wild.

Vulnerable

2254%

High risk of extinction in the wild.

Threatened total — 41 species

Species by Group
🌱

plants

13

13 threatened

🐦

birds

12

12 threatened

🦗

insects

7

7 threatened

🐾

mammals

5

5 threatened

🐟

fishes

2

2 threatened

🐢

reptiles

1

1 threatened

🍄

fungi

1

1 threatened

Global Share

0.07%

of globally threatened species

Country Rank

#219

of 250 countries

Endemic Threatened

4

Found only here

Top Threats
1.Livestock farming & ranching16 species
2.Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals13 species
3.Annual & perennial non-timber crops13 species
4.Habitat shifting & alteration12 species
5.Housing & urban areas10 species
6.Logging & wood harvesting9 species
7.Fire & fire suppression7 species
8.Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases7 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). Lesotho: Biodiversity Dashboard. SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/countries/LS

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 Lesotho?
Lesotho has 41 threatened species recorded on SpeciesRadar — 5 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 Lesotho have?
Of the 41 threatened species in Lesotho, 5 are Critically Endangered, 14 are Endangered, and 22 are Vulnerable. Together these three IUCN Red List categories make up the "threatened" total.
What is the most endangered species in Lesotho?
Among the 5 Critically Endangered species in Lesotho, Corn Gromwell (Buglossoides arvensis) 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 Lesotho?
SpeciesRadar does not yet catalogue protected areas for Lesotho. 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 Lesotho?
The most affected groups in Lesotho, by number of threatened species, are plants (13), birds (12), and insects (7). The full taxonomic breakdown is shown on the country dashboard.
What are the biggest threats to wildlife in Lesotho?
The leading threats to threatened species in Lesotho are livestock farming & ranching, hunting & trapping terrestrial animals, annual & perennial non-timber crops, and habitat shifting & alteration. Each threat is mapped to the species it affects in the country's threat breakdown.
How many threatened species are found only in Lesotho?
Lesotho has 4 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 Lesotho's threatened species have declining populations?
19 of Lesotho'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 Lesotho compare to other countries for threatened species?
Lesotho ranks #219 of 250 countries by number of threatened species, and accounts for roughly 0.07% 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 Lesotho 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 Lesotho profile — species, national red list, and protected areas — can be downloaded as a CSV spreadsheet or a branded PDF report.