The Secret National Animal Of Sudan: Why It’s Not The Bird On The Emblem

The question of Sudan’s national animal is surprisingly contentious, residing in a fascinating conflict between an official designation and a powerful, enduring national symbol. As of late 2025, the identity remains split between a magnificent, critically endangered big cat and a revered, ancient bird of prey.

This duality reflects the nation's rich natural heritage, which is currently facing immense challenges. While many assume the animal on the national emblem is the definitive answer, the true "Official National Animal" is a species on the brink of extinction, making its symbolic status a poignant call for urgent conservation.

The Official Contender: Unmasking the Critically Endangered Sudan Cheetah

Despite the prominence of a bird on the national coat of arms, multiple sources confirm that the Sudan Cheetah (*Acinonyx jubatus soemmeringii*), also known as the Northeast African Cheetah, is officially recognized as the national animal of the Republic of the Sudan.

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This subspecies of cheetah is a powerful and elegant symbol of speed, grace, and the vast, arid landscapes of the Sudanese savanna. It is one of the continent's most recognizable big cats, perfectly embodying the spirit of the wild in the region.

A Cat on the Brink: Conservation Status Update (2024)

The choice of the Sudan Cheetah as a national animal carries a heavy significance, as this subspecies is currently listed as Critically Endangered. This status means the animal faces an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild, a fact that turns its national symbol status into a powerful, necessary plea for protection.

• Subspecies Name: Northeast African Cheetah (*Acinonyx jubatus soemmeringii*)
• IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
• Threats: The biggest threats include habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and, most critically, the illegal wildlife trade.
• Recent Urgency: A 2023 study highlighted the severe decline, recommending an uplisting of its conservation status due to population decline and genetic evidence.

Conservation efforts are ongoing, though often hampered by instability in the region. Recent projects have focused on tracking and disrupting the illegal trade of cheetahs, which are often trafficked out of the region, emphasizing the urgent need for international protection for this national treasure.

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The Emblematic Symbol: The Secretary Bird of Sudan

The source of much confusion regarding Sudan’s national animal is the majestic Secretary Bird (*Sagittarius serpentarius*). This bird of prey is the central and most prominent figure on the National Emblem of Sudan, which has been in use since 1985.

The emblem depicts the Secretary Bird in a state of stillness with its wings stretched, often featuring a black shield with a red border in front of it and the national motto, "VICTORY IS OURS" (An-Nasr Lana), above its head.

Cultural Significance and Ancient Ties

The Secretary Bird is a truly unique national symbol, standing over four feet tall with distinctive crest feathers that resemble old-fashioned secretary quills—hence its common name. Its inclusion on the emblem is not accidental; it is steeped in cultural and historical significance.

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• Symbol of Power: The bird is widely admired across Africa, including in Sudan, for its fearless ability to hunt and kill venomous snakes by stomping them with its powerful legs. This prowess symbolizes strength, protection, and the triumph of good over evil.
• Ancient Heritage: The Secretary Bird has a deep historical connection to the region. Depictions of the bird have been found in ancient Upper Egypt, dating back nearly 3200 BC, linking the modern nation's identity to its ancient past.
• Regional Symbol: Beyond Sudan, the Secretary Bird is a prominent feature on the coat of arms of South Africa, demonstrating its broad, pan-African significance as a symbol of regional wildlife.

For many Sudanese and international observers, the Secretary Bird, as the star of the national crest, functions as the de facto national animal, symbolizing the nation's vigilance and power.

Sudan's Endangered Wildlife Crisis and Other Big Cats

The debate between the Sudan Cheetah and the Secretary Bird highlights a larger, more pressing issue: the perilous state of wildlife conservation in Sudan. The country’s diverse habitats, ranging from deserts to savannas, once supported a vast array of megafauna, but conflict and poaching have taken a severe toll.

A History of Loss and Recent Rescues

The current crisis is built upon a history of loss. Two prominent Sudanese wild animals are already extinct in the region: the massive Auroch (a type of wild cattle) and the Scimitar Oryx. The Scimitar Oryx is a clear example of a species that once thrived but was completely wiped out from the wild in Sudan due to overhunting and environmental stress.

In more recent news, the plight of Sudan’s big cats has made international headlines. In a dramatic demonstration of the conservation challenges faced in the war-torn country, a group of Sudan Lions was successfully evacuated and relocated to the LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa in 2024. These lions were rescued from dire conditions, underscoring the immediate threats facing all large predators in the region, including the national animal, the Sudan Cheetah.

Key Entities of Sudanese Wildlife

The rich biodiversity of Sudan, despite the challenges, includes many other significant species that contribute to its ecological identity:

• Wild Cattle: The native population of desert cattle.
• Antelopes: Including various gazelles and oryx species, though the Scimitar Oryx is extinct in the wild.
• Predators: In addition to the Critically Endangered Northeast African Cheetah, the country is home to Leopards and the few remaining native Lion populations.
• Birds: The Secretary Bird is joined by a vast number of other migratory and endemic bird species.

The existence of both the official national animal (the Cheetah) and the national emblem (the Secretary Bird) provides a powerful narrative. The Cheetah represents the fragility and the urgent need for action, while the Secretary Bird offers a symbol of ancient strength and resilience. Ultimately, the question of Sudan's national animal is a reminder that its most profound symbols are only as secure as the habitats they represent.