The black rhino in East Africa has been decimated to such an extent that the Addo black rhino may well be used tore-populate East African ranges. Eland and red hartebeest have been re-introduced and are doing well as are endemic populations of many smaller antelope species. The only wild primate is the vervet monkey which is diurnal and feeds mainly on fruit. The elephants of Addo are however the main draw card for visitors to the park. They are gregarious, living in family groups led by a matriarch or lead cow.
Elephant bull have their own social system with a dominant bull who does most of the mating.
Addo elephant bulls carry small tusks, and most cows are tusk less - thought to be the result of selective shooting in the nineteenth century. Calves are born after a gestation period of 22 months, and weigh about 120 kg at birth. Despite the small size of the park and its relatively homogenous vegetation, more than 150birdspecies have been recorded here. Species range from the ostrich, through numerous waterfowl which are seen at the pond in the rest camp, to many raptors and smaller, more secretive species which one would associate with the tangled Spekboom thickets of Addo. Addo is also rich in reptile and amphibian fauna , with over 50 species of snakes, tortoises, lizards, frogs and toads occurring in the park.