(Information adapted from "Birds of the Malolotja Nature Reserve, Swaziland", by Richard Boycott and Vincent Parker, 2003.)

Sixty-three species of mammals have been recorded (52 of Swaziland's recorded species) from the reserve, including a number of rare and Regionally Threatened species. Nine species, mostly small mammals but also including Aardwolf (Proteles cristatus), Black Wildebeest (Connochaetes gnou), and Red Hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus) occur nowhere else in Swaziland (Monadjem 1998).

Malolotja has a great variety of small mammals (from Rock hyraxes to shrews) numbering thirty species, including three species of grass-climbing mice (Dendromus spp.) and seven species of shrews (Family Soricidae). Malolotja has important populations of other rare species such as Serval (Felis serval), White-tailed Mongoose (Ichneumia albicauda), Antbear (Orycteropus afer). Grey Rhebok (Pelea capreolus). Common Reedbuck (Redunca arundinum), Oribi (Ourebia ourebi), Klipspringer (Oreotragus oreotragus) and Red Duiker (Cephalophus natalensis). Occasionally African Elephants (Loxodonta africana) from Songimvelo frequent the Nkomati valley and the middle and lower Malolotja valley, and occasional sightings of Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) are made in the Nkomati River.

Malolotja Mammals Checklist

Priority Species

Regionally Extinct

Canidae (Foxes, wild dog and jackals)

Lycaon pictus  
(African wild dog)
Swaziland Status: Regionally Extinct
Southern African Red Data Status: Endangered
International Red Data Status: Endangered

Endangered

Manidae (Pangolin)

Manis temminckii  
(Pangolin)
Swaziland Status: Endangered
Southern African Red Data Status: Vulnerable
International Red Data Status: Near Threatened

Vulnerable

Hippopotamidae (Hippopotamuses)

Hippopotamus amphibius  
(Hippopotamus)
Swaziland Status: Vulnerable
Southern African Red Data Status: Rare
International Red Data Status: Not listed

Bovidae (Buffalo, wildebeest and buck)

Ourebia ourebi  
(Oribi)
(SiSwati: Liwula)
Swaziland Status: Vulnerable
Southern African Red Data Status: Vulnerable
International Red Data Status: Conservation-dependent

Mustelidae (Otters, polecats, weasels, honey badger)

Mellivora capensis  
(Honey badger)
Swaziland Status: Vulnerable
Southern African Red Data Status: Vulnerable
International Red Data Status: Not listed

Cricetidae and Muridae (Rats and mice)

Dasymys incomtus  
(Water rat)
Swaziland Status: Vulnerable
Southern African Red Data Status: Indeterminate
International Red Data Status: Data Deficient

Near Threatened

Bovidae (Buffalo, wildebeest and buck)

Cephalophus natalensis  
(Red duiker)
(SiSwati: Umsumphe)
Swaziland Status: Near Threatened
Southern African Red Data Status: Rare
International Red Data Status: Conservation-dependent

Oreotragus oreotragus  
(Klipspringer)
(SiSwati: Logoga)
Swaziland Status: Near Threatened
Southern African Red Data Status: Not listed
International Red Data Status: Conservation-dependent

Taurotragus oryx  
(Eland)
(SiSwati: Mpofu)
Swaziland Status: Near Threatened
Southern African Red Data Status: Not listed
International Red Data Status: Conservation-dependent

Pelea capreolis  
(Grey rhebok)
(SiSwati: Liza)
Swaziland Status: Near Threatened
Southern African Red Data Status: Not listed
International Red Data Status: Conservation-dependent

Redunca arundinum  
(Common reedbuck)
Swaziland Status: Near Threatened
Southern African Red Data Status: Not listed
International Red Data Status: Conservation-dependent

Redunca fulvorufula  
(Mountain reedbuck)
(SiSwati: Lincala)
Swaziland Status: Near Threatened
Southern African Red Data Status: Not listed
International Red Data Status: Conservation-dependent

Hyaenidae (Aardwolf and hyaenas)

Proteles cristatus  
(Aardwolf)
(SiSwati: Singce)
Swaziland Status: Near Threatened
Southern African Red Data Status: Not listed
International Red Data Status: Not listed

Felidae (Cats)

Panthera pardus  
(Leopard)
(SiSwati: Ingwe)
Swaziland Status: Near Threatened
Southern African Red Data Status: Rare
International Red Data Status: Not listed

Felis serval  
(Serval)
(SiSwati: Indloti)
Swaziland Status: Near Threatened
Southern African Red Data Status: Rare
International Red Data Status: Not listed

Mustelidae (Otters, polecats, weasels, honey badger)

Poecilogale albinucha  
(Striped weasel)
Swaziland Status: Near Threatened
Southern African Red Data Status: Rare
International Red Data Status: Not listed

Viverridae (Mongooses, civets, genets and suricate)

Civettictis civetta  
(African civet)
Swaziland Status: Near Threatened
Southern African Red Data Status: Rare
International Red Data Status: Not listed

Elephantidae (Elephants)

Loxodonta africana  
(Elephant)
(SiSwati: Indlovu)
Swaziland Status: Near Threatened
Southern African Red Data Status: Out of Danger
International Red Data Status: Endangered

Vespertilionidae (Vesper bats)

Miniopterus schreibersii  
(Schreibers' long fingered bat)
Swaziland Status: Near Threatened
Southern African Red Data Status: Not listed
International Red Data Status: Near Threatened

Data Deficient

Felidae (Cats)

Felis lybica  
(African wild cat)
Swaziland Status: Data Deficient
Southern African Red Data Status: Vulnerable
International Red Data Status: Not listed

Viverridae (Mongooses, civets, genets and suricate)

Rhynchogale melleri  
(Meller's mongoose)
Swaziland Status: Data Deficient
Southern African Red Data Status: Vulnerable
International Red Data Status: Not listed

Oribi

Aardwolf

Grey Rhebok

Eland

Mountain Reedbuck