Historical State

The Congo Basin Forest is the second largest rainforest region in the world with a total coverage of 227.6 million hectares (2,5). It is also the most intact of the large rain forests, making up 18% of Earth's remaining rainforest (2). There are approximately 10,000 species within the Congo Basin, and 30% of these are endemic, meaning they occur nowhere else in the world (2). 400 species of mammals also exist here, along with 1,000 species of birds, and 700 species of fish (2). The true extent of species, both endemic and not, is not precisely clear, as every year more and more species or animals are being discovered. Also, there are many endangered species that are endemic to the region, such as forest elephants, chimpanzees, bonobos, and lowland/mountain gorillas (2,5).

(Citations from top left clockwise)

http://scienceray.com/biology/zoology/the-most-beautifully-and-uniquely-colored-mammals-in-the-world/

http://www.nypi.net/new-york-bronx-zoo/

http://www.africaanimals.org/information.html