West Africa’s leopards uplisted to Endangered
The IUCN has reclassified West Africa’s leopard (Panthera pardus) from Vulnerable to Endangered following a 50% population decline over the past two decades. The regional assessment, updated on 9 October 2025, estimates about 350 mature individuals remain across 11 countries, with populations largely confined to protected areas and genetically isolated from Central Africa.
Drivers include habitat loss from agriculture and infrastructure, depletion of prey species and poaching for conflict mitigation and body parts used as talismans. Conservationists involved in the assessment call for a regional strategy to strengthen park patrols and public awareness. For tourism, the uplisting underscores the fragility of flagship wildlife in West Africa – highlighting the need for targeted investment, responsible product positioning and partnerships that support on‑the‑ground conservation.
Source: News Mongabay
