Zambia

173 threatened species · Biodiversity Intelligence Dashboard

Threatened Species

173

CR + EN + VU

Critically Endangered

24

Highest risk

Endangered

64

Very high risk

Vulnerable

85

High risk

Declining

49%

84 species

Category Breakdown
CR 24
EN 64
VU 85
CR: 24
EN: 64
VU: 85

Critically Endangered

2414%

Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

Endangered

6437%

Very high risk of extinction in the wild.

Vulnerable

8549%

High risk of extinction in the wild.

Threatened total — 173 species

Species by Group
🐾

mammals

13

13 threatened

🐦

birds

21

21 threatened

🐢

reptiles

5

5 threatened

🐸

amphibians

2

2 threatened

🐟

fishes

29

29 threatened

🦗

insects

11

11 threatened

🌱

plants

79

79 threatened

Global Share

0.32%

of globally threatened species

Country Rank

#148

of 277 countries

Endemic Threatened

23

Found only here

Top Threats
1.Annual & perennial non-timber crops95 species
2.Logging & wood harvesting64 species
3.Housing & urban areas40 species
4.Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources39 species
5.Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals29 species
6.Mining & quarrying25 species
7.Livestock farming & ranching24 species
8.Agricultural & forestry effluents23 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). Zambia: Biodiversity Dashboard. SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/countries/ZM

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 Zambia?
Zambia has 173 threatened species recorded in the SpeciesRadar database — 24 of those are Critically Endangered (CR), facing an extremely high risk of extinction. The figures combine IUCN Red List data with national red list assessments where available.
What is the most endangered species in Zambia?
Among the 24 Critically Endangered species in Zambia, Lates microlepis is one of the most at-risk — featured prominently on the country dashboard. The full list of CR species is filterable on the country page.
What protected areas exist in Zambia?
Protected area coverage for Zambia is summarised on the country dashboard, drawing on the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) and national park designations.