Fauna | Wildlife
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The lower slopes of the Drakensberg support much wildlife, perhaps most importantly are:- Southern White Rhinoceros (which was nurtured here when facing extinction)
- Black Wildebeest (Connochaetes gnou, which as of 2011 only thrives in protected areas and game reserves)
The Drakensberg is home to large herds of grazing and antelopes such as:
- Eland (Taurotragus oryx)
- Reedbuck (Redunca arundinum)
- Mountain Reedbuck (Redunca fulvorufula)
- Grey Rhebok (Pelea capreolus)
- Oribi (Ourebia ourebi)
Endemic species include a large number of chameleons and other reptiles. There is one endemic frog, Forest Rain Frog (Breviceps sylvestris), and four more that are found mainly in these mountains:
- Long-toed Tree Frog (Leptopelis xenodactylus)
- Plaintive Rain Frog (Breviceps maculatus)
- Rough Rain Frog (Breviceps verrucosus)
- Poynton's Caco (Cacosternum poyntoni)
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The Drakensberg area is "home to 299 recorded bird species"' making up "37% of all non-marine avian species in Southern Africa."
Notable bird species found in the Drakensberg are:- Mountain Pipit (Anthus hoeschi)
- Bush Blackcap (Lioptilus nigricapillus)
- Buff-streaked Chat (Oenanthe bifasciata)
- Rudd's Lark (Heteromirafra ruddi)
- Drakensberg Rockjumper (Chaetops aurantius)
- Drakensberg Siskin (Serinus symonsi)
- Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) or Lammergeier
- Cape Vulture (Gyps coprotheres)
- Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni)
Mammals include:
- Klipspringer (Oreotragus oreotragus)
- Eland (Taurotragus oryx)
- Mountain Reedbuck (Redunca fulvorufula)
Endemic species include three frogs found in the mountain streams:
- Drakensberg River Frog, (Amietia dracomontana)
- Phofung River Frog (Amietia vertebralis)
- Maluti River Frog (Amietia umbraculata)
Fish are found in the many rivers and streams including:
- Maluti Redfin (Pseudobarbus quathlambae) which was thought to be extinct but has been found in the Senqunyane River in Lesotho. Breeding stock can be found at Sethlabathebe National Park.
- Brown Trout
- Rainbow Trout
