3 Keystone Animal Species

The African Buffalo

 http://www.arkive.org/african-buffalo/syncerus
-caffer/image-G26658.html

• Species include the Cape & Forest Buffalo
• Main predator is humans
• Lions, hyenas, and leopards are natural predators
• Known to be a dangerous animal
• Travels in herds up to 1,000

The African Elephant

• Hunted for their ivory                                            
• Species include the Forest & Savanna Elephant          



   http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/photography/
Elephant%20Album/WWFImgFullitem4438.jpg

• Possibly a third species called the West African Elephant
• Travel in herds of around 10
• Currently Endangered

The African Lion                                

• Prey on impalas, giraffes, buffalo, wild hogs, rhinos, hippos, hares, birds, and certain reptiles
• When food is scarce they'll prey on elephants       
• Population decrease
• Drought affected their prey, diseases transferred from prey to lions



http://openwalls.com/image/4651/african_
lion_and_his_cub_1280x800.jpg

• Farmers poison/ kill lions to protect crops
• If we protect lions, we protect many other species along with them
• Hyenas, wildebeest, plain zebras, and many more

- "African Buffalo." The Animal Files. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <http://www.theanimalfiles.com/mammals/hoofed_mammals/buffalo_african.html>.

- "African Elephants - National Zoo| FONZ." Welcome to the National Zoo| FONZ Website - National Zoo| FONZ. Smithsonian National Zoological Park. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/AfricanSavanna/fact-afelephant.cfm>.

- "African Lion Facts - Panthera Leo - Defenders of Wildlife - Defenders of Wildlife."Defenders of Wildlife - Protection of Endangered Species, Imperiled Species, Habitats. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <http://www.defenders.org/wildlife_and_habitat/wildlife/lion.php>.
- "Great Cats: Lions - National Zoo| FONZ." Welcome to the National Zoo| FONZ Website - National Zoo| FONZ. Smithsonian National Zoological Park. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. <http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/GreatCats/lionfacts.cfm>.