Malolotja Nature Reserve: Mammals
(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.
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
