Ghana Wildlife: Biodiversity, Conservation, Sanctuaries

The wildlife of Ghana consists of its biodiversity of wildlife. Ghana wildlife is wealthy and numerous, with a lot of mammals, reptiles, bugs, and marine species to be discovered throughout the nation’s different habitats.

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as one place in Ghana the place you may see all of it. Furthermore, many of the wildlife places require long drive occasions.

Ghana Wildlife Biodiversity

There are 221 amphibian and reptile species, 724 bird species, and 225 mammalian species in Ghana. Of the bird species present in Ghana, about 66% live within the nation on a regular basis whereas the others are seasonal visitors.

At least 20 species of endemic or near-endemic species of butterflies live within the nation. There are a number of pressures on Ghana animals, together with elevated human land utilization and overhunting. Poachers kill some wildlife for ivory or different body elements to make use of in conventional medicine.

Ghana wildlife Fungi

Ghana is home to a big variety of fungi species together with Aspergillus flavus; Athelia rolfsii; Auricularia auricula-judae; Curvularia; Fusarium oxysporum; Fusarium solani f.sp. pisi; Gibberella intricans; Gibberella stilboides; and Macrophomina phaseolina.

The true total variety of fungal species occurring in Ghana is within the 1000’s and given the widely accepted estimate that solely about 7 % of all fungi worldwide have up to now been found and that the quantity of accessible information remains to be very small.

Ghana wildlife Flora

The flora of Ghana is numerous with each indigenous and launched floral species thought-about in Ghana’s floral variety. A total of some 3,600 species of the foremost regional facilities of endemism signify the three main taxonomic teams.

Floral variety is more pronounced among the many angiosperms represented with effectively over 2,974 indigenous and 253 launched species in Ghana.

Among the varied vegetation forms of the tropical rain forest, it’s the moist evergreen forest kind within the southwestern Ashanti-Kwahu Plain that reveals the best level of endemism and species richness in Ghana.

Flora species variety and endemism within the savanna biomes in Ghana could be very sparse and the biological variety of species within the Ghanaian savanna woodlands and gallery forests of the savannas present better species richness than the dry savannas.

Within Ghana, there are areas of high biological variety, known as prime biological places; such because the Ankasa and Nini-Suhien Conservation Area within the southwestern Ashanti-Kwahu area terrestrial plain of Ghana, in the place the climatic variety is bigger.

There are additionally Encephalartos barteri, and gymnosperm indigenous to Ghana; others rising in numerous Ghanaian ecological zones are launched species for functions together with aesthetics and economics.

The third taxonomic group; pteridophytes, is effectively represented in Ghana with 124 identified species.

Ghana Wildlife Fauna

Ghana has an unlimited array of fauna and they’re of great significance, as a few of Ghana’s fauna has attained conservation standing due to the present rate of decline of their quantity and distribution.

The fauna of the Ghanaian terrestrial ecosystem, comprise a various array of species together with several conservation concerns.

Ghanaian records present that there are as many as 221 species of amphibians and reptiles, 724 species of birds, and 225 mammalian species inhabiting Ghana; with 93 recorded to be inhabiting the Ghanaian savanna ecological zone.

As with floral diversity, prime places for faunal variety are situated within the Ghanaian high forest uplands; accounting for 83% of the total variety of butterfly species recorded in Ghana, the place cover stratification and micro-climatic differentiation have supplied habitats and niches for particular faunal organisms.

Endemism amongst Ghanaian terrestrial fauna has been noticed in three species of frogs; Hyperolius baumanni; Hyperolius fusciventris; and Hyperolius sylvaticus; and lizards; and Agama sylvanus discovered within the Ghanaian Bia Forest Reserve and the Atwema Range Forest Reserve.

Ghana has a high degree of butterfly endemism place more than 20 species are categorized as endemic or near-endemic. Ghana is home to 84 identified amphibian species: 78 frogs, 5 toads, and caecilians.

Threatened species recorded in Ghana embody 4 species of marine turtles and three species of crocodiles. Bird species of conservation concern embody seven threatened species, together with 4 species endemic to the Upper Guinea forest block and 7 near-threatened species.

Keystone species resembling hornbills, parrots, and birds of prey (eagles) are effectively represented in Ghana. Of the 728 bird species confirmed to be occurring in Ghana; 408 are non-passerines and 320 passerines, of which 498 are identified or considered residents and 176 are regular seasonal bird migrants, together with 100 from the Palearctic realm.

Of the total variety of species occurring; 180 restricted to the Guinea-Congo forests biome and 37 restricted to the Sudan-Guinea savanna biome have been recorded in Ghana.

Eleven of the 15 endemic bird species throughout the Upper Guinea forest happen in Ghana. Six of the total species are thought-about threatened and 12 are near-threatened.

Ghana is a vital nation for dozens of susceptible, threatened, endangered, critically endangered, or near-extinct mammalian species together with the primates common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) and western red colobus (Piliocolobus badius), the large cat’s lion (Panthera leo), and leopard (Panthera pardus), African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana), and water-birds being situated on the boundary of the east Atlantic Ocean Flyway and Mediterranean Flyway. There are additionally a number of uncommon terrestrial birds, such because the white-necked rockfowl (Picathartes gymnocephalus).

National Animal of Ghana

The tawny eagle is the national animal of Ghana. This bird was chosen as an emblem of safety by energy. Two tawny eagles seem on the nation’s crest, the place they’re seen with vigilant eyes as they’re expecting indicators of hassle.

Where To Find The Top Wildlife in Ghana

If you need to see wildlife in Ghana, go to the nation’s totally different ecosystems. As numerous animals live in each.

Mole National Park – In Northern Ghana, Mole National Park is a great place to go mountain climbing, where you might even see many examples of native animals, together with hippos, buffalo, elephants, lions, and leopards. While you may go to animals in zoos in Ghana, just like the Accra Zoo and the Kumasi Zoo, you may additionally need to see them in their natural environment.

Bui National Park – The Black Volta River, which is home to a big herd of hippos, bisects this national park. You are additionally very likely to see different native animals, like antelope, leopards, and monkeys.

Boin Tano Forest Reserve – The swampy area created by the Bisao and Tano rivers at this reserve is a great place to see endangered yellow-backed duiker and ursine colobus primates. This reserve’s bush-filled areas are additionally an implausible place to see many of Ghana’s endangered birds, together with white-breasted guinea fowls and the yellow-bearded greenbuls, together with different wildlife.

Nini Suhien National Park and Ankasa Resources Reserve – Managed as one unit, this area in southern Ghana is a great place to see African elephants and endangered Diana monkeys. Look within the bush at this park and reserve to see how many of the 260 bird species identified to have visited this park you may spot.

Kakum National Park – The 1,150-foot-high Kakum Canopy Walkway is an implausible place to spot Diana monkeys, yellow-backed duikers, red river hogs, and African elephants. This park’s bush-filled areas are home to many endangered birds, together with African gray parrots and hornbills.

The Most Dangerous Animals in Ghana Today

While most Ghana animals are pleasant if you don’t damage them, there are some useless animals within the nation.

Hippopotamuses are massive animals that usually weigh more than 3,000 pounds, and they’re extremely unpredictable. They typically use their tusks as weapons. Hippos have huge teeth that may tear predators, together with people, to shreds. They are a number of the most dangerous animals in Ghana.

Mosquitoes – While the mosquito is tiny, it surely is likely one of the most dangerous animals in Ghana as a result of it could transmit malaria. If you will travel to Ghana, be sure to take precautions to keep away from this lethal animal.

Elephants – While elephants are typically peaceable animals when left alone when people encroach upon their territories, elephants typically change into harmful ones. They typically crush people to death.

Black mamba – The black mamba is the longest toxic snake in Africa, and it could strike as many as 12 occasions in a minute. These strikes shut down the respiratory system, so they’re typically deadly. Help often can’t act quickly sufficiently, which makes this probably the most harmful animal in Ghana.

Lions – While the variety of lions in Ghana is comparatively small, there have been studies of lions killing people.

Endangered Animals In Ghana

There are many forms of endangered animals in Ghana, and the quantity continues to develop as people encroach on more native habitats usually. Other animals are poached, and their body elements are offered to be used in conventional medicine.

The nation is home to 5 endangered mammals, 11 susceptible species, and 14 near-threatened species. While shrews and bats make up many of those endangered animals, there are additionally different threatened species. Most of them aren’t toxic.

African white-bellied pangolin
Baer’s wooden mouse
Big-eyed forest treefrog
Bobini reed frog
Dark-brown serotine
Ghana river frog
Ivory Coast frog
Ivory Coast operating frog
Johnston’s genet
Liberia River frog
Olive colobus
Sooty mangabey

Ghana Wildlife Animals

Ghana wildlife is wealthy and numerous, with a lot of mammals, reptiles, bugs, and marine species to be discovered throughout the nation’s different habitats. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as one place in Ghana the place you may see all of it. Furthermore, many of the wildlife places require long drive occasions.

Read below in regards to the wildlife of Ghana that you simply may presumably experience. While wildlife could inhabit numerous locations in Ghana, these maps present the place you’ll almost certainly be capable of encountering these animals.

Elephants

A two-day drive from Accra, Mole National Park is Ghana’s largest, oldest, and finest game viewing park. While elephants live in many distant locations in Ghana, it is just at Mole National Park the place you may anticipate seeing elephants in Ghana.

The elephants close to the Mole Lodge are accustomed to people, permitting a detailed encounter on foot. This is one thing uncommon in Africa.

Depending on the climate, it’s also possible to see antelope, bushbucks, monkeys, warthogs, baboons, and different smaller wildlife. Mid-December by mid-April is finest as a result of lack of water concentrates the animals at identified water sources.

Monkey Sanctuaries

Boateng-Fiema has a great variety of habituated Mona monkeys, and fewer habituated Black and White Colobus monkeys. The monkeys are revered by the community and therefore they’re neither hunted nor killed. The sanctuary has a cemetery the place these monkeys are buried with particular funerals.

Tafi Atome, situated within the Volta Region is a standard conservation area, home to Mona and Patas monkeys. These monkeys are additionally fairly habituated as they’re considered gods and are protected by custom.

Monkeys at any location are finest seen in the morning or late afternoon. They could also be seen at different places in Ghana, however, not like these two sanctuaries, they would definitely need nothing to do with you.

Ghana wildlife birds

Ghana has various glorious places for bird watching. This is really essentially the most plentiful type of wildlife to be seen. Over 750 species have been recorded. The choices are so great that now we have a separate set of excursions for severe twitchers. Birding Tours in Ghana.

Butterflies

Ghana has an estimated 1,000 species of butterflies – as many species as North America and Europe mixed. It is unattainable to pick out particular locations as a result of butterflies being in every single place.

However, the Bobiri Forest Butterfly Sanctuary is a phenomenal forest reserve with ancient timber that makes this wonderful creature a particular attraction. Also of advantage are the Owabi Wildlife Sanctuary, the Bunso Arboretum, and the Atewa Forest Reserve.

Ghana wildlife hippos

Hippos might be seen solely on the distant Wechiau Hippo Sanctuary. Correct timing is essential since hippos keep effectively hidden when water is plentiful. Because of this, you’ll have the most effective sightings throughout the dry season (December-March).

Located within the far reaches of the Upper West Region you may get pleasure from a river safari viewing the hippos protected alongside the Black Volta River. When visiting the Wechiau Hippo Sanctuary, make certain to go to a standard Sudanese-type mud-and-stick mosque, the chief’s palace, or the native Lobi community.

Crocodiles

There are quite a few sacred crocodile ponds scattered all through Ghana, nevertheless, essentially the most well-known ponds are within the far north at Paga, on the border with Burkina Faso.

Many ponds can have a fetish priest who can present a blessing and entice a crocodile from the water with incantations and the protests of a live fowl.

At most ponds, the crocodile and rooster shortly disappear, however at Paga the crocodiles and far more habituated and can ceaselessly pose for pictures after being satiated.

Some different places don’t require the long travel time:
* Minutes from Kakum National Park at Hans Botel are Crocs that pose
* Akatekyi Lagoon, about 30km west of Takoradi
* Egyamba, about 5km west of Princes Town

Baboons

These are fascinating creatures to observe, as they live in massive troops and have complex social buildings. Without a doubt, the 2 finest locations in Ghana to see baboons are Mole National Park and Shai Hills.

Be cautious of the baboons, as they grasp thieves and can shortly take unattended gadgets, even out of your automobile.

Antelope, Buffalo, Warthogs

MOLE NATIONAL PARK

As with most bigger mammals in Ghana, Mole is a superb place for viewing roan, Kob, waterbuck, and bushbuck antelope, in addition to the one place to probably see warthogs or the African buffalo.

GBELE RESERVE

In the Upper West area is a not often visited reserve that may be a prime location for our hoofed associates, particularly roan antelope.

SHAI HILLS

This small sanctuary is fairly near Accra. It is an effective place for morning sightings of antelope, particularly bushbuck.

Marine Turtles

Although changing into rarer attributable to poaching, it’s possible to rearrange an expedition to seek nesting turtles. Nesting season is from August-March, with October by December being the most effective months to seek out nesting turtles.

The distant seashores on the far east or the far west are the places the place energetic turtle conservation initiatives are defending the turtles.

Bats

Do not fear! Our fruit bats are innocent. The cliffs close to Wli Falls have tons of bats. There are additionally bat caves around Ghana, most notably at Shai Hills, close to Accra, and Buoyem Caves simply outside of Techiman.

The timber in front of 37 Hospital in Accra and in front of the now-closed zoo in Kumasi are easy places for viewing bats as effectively. Especially close to nightfall, once they depart on their night flights, or in the mornings once they return.

Whale Watching

Expensive humpback whale-watching cruises might be chartered off the coast of Takoradi between the months of July and December. To be sincere, now we have by no means been on such an expedition, so we can’t present any particulars in regard to the success of such excursions.

Similarly, one can supposedly generally see whales from atop the lighthouse at Cape Three Points, however now we have not had a first-hand sighting besides this unlucky specimen pictured right here.

Ghana Wildlife: Biodiversity, Conservation, Sanctuaries