Network News Network News Survey of the golden-rumped sengi planned north of the Tana in Kenya
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Survey of the golden-rumped sengi planned north of the Tana in Kenya |
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A new study aimed at establishing the status of the golden-rumped sengi (Rhynchocyon chrysopygus) is being developed by the University of Nairobi’s conservation biology programme. It is intended to cover the forests north of the Tana River along the Kenyan coast. According to available records, the historical distribution of the sengi extended all along the eastern African coastal forests, stretching from northern Mozam-bique to southern Somalia. This was once a continuous swathe of forest, or closely interconnected forest patches. Throughout recent history, human encroachment has seriously impacted on sengi habitat as a result of uncontrolled logging, clearing for cultivation and led to sengis being extensively hunted for meat. They are also exposed to severe predation pressure, including by feral dogs. Consequently the species has suffered a drastic reduction in both numbers and distribution. Currently, it is only known to occur in small isolated coastal forests north of Mombasa. It is only in the Arabuko Sokoke Forest (ASF) and five smaller patches around it that its status is reasonably well known from recent studies. There is ample reason, however, to believe that the sengi occurs in the forests north of the Tana River where habitats are still relatively intact and human impact is low. In the new survey, which is expected to commence with a hands-on training for field researchers within the ASF, we hope to update out present knowledge of the species’ conservation needs in ASF, and establish authoritatively the presence of sengis in the forests further north, including the Boni and other forests between the delta and Kiunga. Site visits, live-trapping, and interviews with local residents will be used to determine the presence of sengis and the conservation status of forest habitats found to be occupied by sengis. The survey methodology will follow that developed by earlier researchers, with appropriate modifications to suit local conditions. Survey efforts will be directed towards establishing the relative densities and other attributes of the species’ ecology in different habitats.
Golden-rumped sengis create leaf nests on the forest floor and previous studies have shown that the abundance of leaf nests is related to sengi density. It is proposed to carry out transects in different habitats to compare nest abundance and therefore, sengi abundance in different habitats. It is hoped that information on the distribution of these habitats from aerial or satellite photographs will then help to establish an approximate estimate of the current distribution of the sengi. A graduate student from the University of Nairobi is developing a proposal for this survey. The survey is expected to commence in October 2007 and end before the next major rains in March-April 2008. The results will go towards the student’s MSc thesis and is expected to be published in scientific journals. The golden-rumped sengi has been selected as one of the focal species for the Zoological Society of London’s recently launched EDGE (Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered) programme. EDGE species have few close relatives and therefore represent a disproportionate amount of unique evolutionary history. Many of them are on the verge of extinction and yet are receiving little or no conservation attention. It is hoped that the University of Nairobi student will be selected as an EDGE fellow, and thereby receive funding and support from this programme. However, we will need to raise further funding to enable the survey to be completed. Any suggestions for funding sources would therefore be gratefully received.
E.M. Mwangi http://research.calacademy.org/research/bmammals/afrotheria/Afrotherian_Conservation_5.pdf http://research.calacademy.org/research/bmammals/afrotheria/ASG.html |
