São Tomé / Príncipe: wildlife

The geographic isolation from Africa has resulted in high levels of endemism. Overall, São Tomé and Príncipe has 143 birds, 15 mammals, 14 reptiles, and 9 amphibians. From July to October humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) visit the waters around Roça Belo Monte on Principe as they migrate from their low-latitude summer feeding grounds to more tropical mating and calving areas. Sea turtles also have been coming to the beaches of São Tomé & Príncipe for millions of years, and the islands have the most diverse range of sea turtles in central africa. Between October and April, four of the five turtle species are known to lay their eggs on the beaches of São Tomé and Príncipe, including the great leatherback.

Special wilflife months on Sao Tomé & Príncipe

Fish Fauna

The waters of Sao Tome and Principe are still largely unexplored. So far, 230 fish species have been distinguished of which many are endemic. At Bom Bom Island Resort on Principe, you can target the elusive large Blue Marlin and world record size sailfish that have rightfully made the area so famous, as well has its vast variety of game fish such as yellowfin tuna, wahoo, dorado, snapper, barracuda amongst many others.

Whales

From July to October humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) visit the waters around the Bom Bom Island Resort on Principe as they migrate from their low-latitude summer feeding grounds to more tropical mating and calving areas. From the Resort, trips are organised aboard one of our motorised pirogues. Boat charters (on a 28-ft speedboat) are also available. We only recommend this trip during the whale season and although sighting rates are close to 100%, still, sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Turtles

Sea turtles have been coming to the beaches of São Tomé & Príncipe for millions of years, and the islands have the most diverse range of sea turtles in central africa. Between October and April, four of the five turtle species are known to lay their eggs on the beaches of Sao Tome & Principe, including the great leatherback.

Sea turtle that nest on the beaches

Source: Bradt Travel Guide, 2008

Birds

Kathleen Becker, Bradt Travel Guide 2008: “The birdlife of the islands is exceptionally unique. Of the over 120 species recorded on São Tomé and Príncipe, some 28 are endemics.”

In the nineties, Birdlife International included Príncipe and São Tomé in the top 25% of 218 EBAs worldwide for their species richness. More recently, the forests of both islands have been included among the Important Bird Areas (IBAs) of Africa.

Birdlife International 2000: “Each island has its endemic species and subspecies and, as such, the Gulf of Guinea islands are of global importance for their biodiversity. Part of the diversity in the Gulf of Guinea may be attributed to the range of habitats and niches that are found on the islands.”

According to Birdlife International 2000, several highly threatened birds can be found in tiny populations in the pristine forests of São Tomé, for example:

• Dwarf Olive Ibis – Bostychia (olivacea) bocagei
• São Tomé Fiscal – Lanius newtoni
• São Tomé Grosbeak – Neospiza concolor

Sources:
The Birds of São Tomé & Príncipe with Annobón, islands of the Gulf of Guinea, by Jones & Tye
Birds of Western Africa, by Borrow & Demey
Website of Birdlife International – São Tomé & Príncipe