Native Animals of the Republic of Guinea (Guinea-Conakry)

Guinea (West Africa) hosts exceptional biodiversity — Upper Guinean forests, savannas, mountains (Nimba, Simandou), and rivers. Key native fauna:

Mammals (Flagship Species)

• Western Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus) – Critically endangered; strongholds in Bossou, Nimba.
• Forest Elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) – Smaller, straighter tusks; Ziama, Diécké forests.
• Pygmy Hippo (Choeropsis liberiensis) – Endangered; riverine forests.
• Primates: Diana monkey, Red colobus (Western, Bay), Olive/Guinea baboon, Sooty mangabey, King colobus.
• Carnivores: Leopard, African golden cat, Serval, Spotted hyena, Civets, Genets.
• Antelopes: Bongo, Yellow-backed duiker, Maxwell's duiker, Royal antelope.
• Others: Pangolins (3 spp.), Aardvark, Porcupine, Cane rat.

Birds (600+ spp.)

• Endemics/near-endemics: White-necked Picathartes, Gola Malimbe, Sierra Leone Prinia.
• Hornbills (5 spp.), Turacos (3), Raptors (Crowned Eagle, Cassin's Hawk-Eagle), Parrots (Grey, Senegal).

Reptiles/Amphibians

• Nile Crocodile, Dwarf Crocodile; Gaboon Viper, Green Mamba, Spitting Cobra, Rock Python.
• Endemic frogs: Arthroleptis, Phrynobatrachus spp. (Nimba, Simandou).

Fish

• Niger, Gambia, Senegal river basins: Lungfish, Bichir, Mormyrids, Cichlids, Catfish.

Conservation Hotspots

Mount Nimba (UNESCO, transboundary), Ziama Massif, Badiar NP, Haut Niger NP. Threats: mining (bauxite, iron), bushmeat, logging, agriculture.