Wildlife of Gabon

Much of the country is still covered by tropical rainforest and there are also grasslands, savannas, large rivers and coastal lagoons.

Gabon has important populations of many mammals including about 35,000 gorillas, 50,000 forest elephants and 64,000 chimpanzees.

Other large mammals include the hippopotamus, forest buffalo, bongo and red river hog.

Carnivorous mammals include the leopard, golden cat, and various jackals, mongooses, genets and civets.

The West African manatee is found along coasts and large rivers while the humpback whale breeds offshore.