DR Congo Extinct and Endangered Species

As of March 30th, 2015, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ for the DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO in central Africa lists two extinct species - Acalypha dikuluwensis flowering plant and Basananthe cupricola passionflower - since the beginning of IUCN recordkeeping. Interestingly, beautiful passionflowers such as the former Basananthe cupricola have been and are still used to treat a variety of ailments, including insomnia, gastrointestinal upset, muscle spasms, seizures, hysteria, nervousness and anxiety, and high blood pressure (WebMD link). This species (last seen in 1980) and the Acalypha dikuluwensis species (last seen in 1959) formerly lived in Katanga province of southeastern DR Congo.

In regards to endangered species in the DR Congo, there are 32 critically endangered species and 93 endangered species. Some critically endangered species include the Dryad Monkey, Itombwe Massif Clawed Frog, Mt. Kahuzi African Climbing Mouse, Largetooth Sawfish and Smalltooth Sawfish, Slender-snouted Crocodile, and Western Gorilla.

Democratic Republic of the Congo post (link opens in new tab/window)