Tenrecs and otter-screws (Tenrecidae or Afrosoricida)
COHORT PAENUNGULATA
Afrotherian radiation that at the moment contains the orders (Hyracoidea, Sirenia and Proboscidea).
These are hyraxes, manatees and dudongs and elephants.
From Paleocene (66-56 ma), next 35 million years paenungulates dominated Africa’s large mammal fauna. They were herbivores: hyracoids, proboscideans and the extinct embrithopods.
Other mammals arrived from Eurasia and became more common about 25 mya.
Currently there are about 78 species of extant afrotheres. Most species are specialists.
Many have ecologically convergent forms on other continents.
This ecological specialization makes them vulnerable and prone to extinction in human modified world.
Re-evaluation is needed on the evidence on the morphological features that has been used as evidence for monophyly of Paenungulates.
However following features are most commonly used as evidence:
Female mammary glands between front legs
Tusks developed from incisors, rather than canines
Dendrohyrax – tree hyraxes – 4 species at the moment – more to come
Heterohyrax – bush hyrax – 1 species + 20+ subspecies
Procavia – rock hyrax – 1 species +17 subspecies – and some of them are species
Taita tree hyrax (Dendrohyrax sp.)
Some features
small mammals 1.8-5.5 kg
no visible tail
coat dense and light grey to dark brown
all three genera are highly vocal
Bush hyrax from Plzen Zoo, Czech. They are smaller, grayish, and they have very strong white patches above the eyes. They are not as round as rock hyrax and tree hyraxes.
Unusual features
dorsal gland with hair with different color
tactile hairs around the body (length up to 8 cm)
forefoot has four digits and hindfoot three
stomach divided into two chambers
highly subdivided liver – plant food they use may be toxic
internal testes
unbranched caecum acts as a fermentation chamber that produces large amounts of volatile fatty acids that serve as an energy source
effective kidney function, they have high capacity for concentrating urea, and excreting large amounts of undissolved calcium carbonate.
many species defaecate to specific spots, and many species use latrines
low metabolic rate
they have poor ability to regulate their body temperature
body temperature is is maintained by behavioral thermoregulation
gestation period is long 6-8 months
Odd appearance has caused confusion
First they were thought to be rodents, thus genus Procavia (cavia meaning before guinea pigs)
Later called hyrax – equally wrong – as “shrew mouse”
Dassie used in South Africa comes from Dutch badger – das
3000 years age Phoenician seamen found small mammals from Mediterrian and called the place “I-saphan-im” Island of the Hyrax. The Romans later modified the name to Hispania. That later became Spain. The animals were really rabbits! Not hyraxes, so the name “Spain” comes from faulty observation.
Key reference: Shoshani, J., Bloomer, P., Seiffert, E. (2013) ‘Order Hyracoidea – Hyraxes’ in Mammals of Africa. London, Bloomsbury, pp. 148-151.
Other sources for Dendrohyraxes:
Cordeiro, N.J. et al. (2005) ‘Notes on the ecology and status of some forest mammals in four Eastern Arc Mountains, Tanzania’, Journal of East African Natural History, 94(1), pp. 175–189. doi:10.2982/0012-8317(2005)94[175:NOTEAS]2.0.CO;2.
Gaylard, A. and Kerley, G.I.H. (1997) ‘Diet of Tree Hyraxes Dendrohyrax arboreus (Hyracoidea: Procaviidae) in the Eastern Cape, South Africa’, Journal of Mammalogy, 78(1), pp. 213–221. doi:10.2307/1382654.
Gaylard, A. and Kerley, G.I.H. (2001) ‘Habitat assessment for a rare, arboreal forest mammal, the tree hyrax (Dendrohyrax arboreus)’, African Journal of Ecology, 39(2), pp. 205–212. doi:10.1046/j.0141-6707.2000.301.x.
Hoeck, H. (no date) ‘Some thoughts on the distribution of the tree hyraxes (genus Dendrohyrax) in Northern Tanzania’, 2017(13:47–49).
IUCN (2013) ‘Dendrohyrax arboreus: Butynski, T., Hoeck, H. & de Jong, Y.A.: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T6409A21282806’. International Union for Conservation of Nature. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T6409A21282806.en.
IUCN (2014) ‘Dendrohyrax validus: Hoeck, H., Rovero, F., Cordeiro, N., Butynski, T., Perkin, A. & Jones, T.: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T136599A21288090’. International Union for Conservation of Nature. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T136599A21288090.en.
Kundaeli, J.N. (1976) ‘Distribution of tree hyrax (Dendrohyrax validus validus True) on Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania’, African Journal of Ecology, 14(4), pp. 253–264. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2028.1976.tb00241.x.
Milner, J.M. and Harris, S. (1999) ‘Habitat use and ranging behaviour of tree hyrax, Dendrohyrax arboreus, in the Virunga Volcanoes, Rwanda: Habitat use by tree hyrax’, African Journal of Ecology, 37(3), pp. 281–294. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2028.1999.00185.x.
Oates, J.F. et al. (2021) ‘A new species of tree hyrax (Procaviidae: (Dendrohyrax) from West Africa and the significance of the Niger–Volta interfluvium in mammalian biogeography’, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, p. zlab029. doi:10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab029.
Opperman, E.J., Cherry, M.I. and Makunga, N.P. (2018) ‘Community harvesting of trees used as dens and for food by the tree hyrax (Dendrohyrax arboreus) in the Pirie forest, South Africa’, Koedoe, 60(1). doi:10.4102/koedoe.v60i1.1481.
Roberts, D., Topp-Jørgensen, E. and Moyer, D. (2013) ‘Dendrohyrax validus Eastern tree hyrax’, in Mammals of Africa. London, Bloomsbury, pp. 158–161.
Topp-Jørgensen, J.E. et al. (2008) ‘Quantifying the Response of Tree Hyraxes ( Dendrohyrax Validus ) to Human Disturbance in the Udzungwa Mountains, Tanzania’, Tropical Conservation Science, 1(1), pp. 63–74. doi:10.1177/194008290800100106.
True, F.W. (1890) ‘Description of two new species of mammals from Mt. Kilima-Njaro, East Africa’, Proceedings of the United States National Museum, 13(814), pp. 227–229. doi:10.5479/si.00963801.814.227.
Dendrohyrax dorsalis family, male, female and one juvenile from Plzen Zoo, Czech. (October 2021). In this species female (up) is larger than male (down), juvenile is on the right.
Six subspecies have been recognized, and resently Oates et al. (2022) described one as Dendrohyrax interfluvialis from Benin.
Coat is dark brown/black with clear, large, white back patch.
Dendrohyrax dorsalis from Ostrava Zoo, Czech
Compared to other Dendrohyrax species they are more calm and less shy. They call less frequently.
Dendrohyrax dorsalis calls recorded from Ostrava zoo in October 2021. Family, again male, female and one offspring are calling together about three am in the morning.Listen to the call of D dorsalis, call is the same as in spectrogram.
D. dorsalis range extends from Guinea to Uganda. Map from IUCN assessment (Butynski et al. 2014).
D. dorsalis is found in moist lowland forests and moist savannas to an altitude of 1500 m asl.
There are no behavioral studies of the species. Group structure is unknown.
In fact it is very difficult to find any articles about D. dorsalis.
Herbivorous, eats mainly leaves, shoots and seeds.
In many parts of the range births happen throughout the year.
Key reference: Shultz, S. & Roberts, D. (2013) ‘Dendrohyrax dorsalis Western tree hyrax’ In: Mammals of Africa. Bloomsbury. London.
Sources:
Butynski, T., Dowsett-Lemaire, F. & Hoeck, H. 2015. Dendrohyrax dorsalis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T6410A21282601. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015- 2.RLTS.T6410A21282601.en
Oates, J.F. et al. (2021) ‘A new species of tree hyrax (Procaviidae: (Dendrohyrax) from West Africa and the significance of the Niger–Volta interfluvium in mammalian biogeography’, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, p. zlab029. doi:10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab029.
According to Mammals of Africa (MOA) 2013 17 subspecies are recognized. However, many of these subspecies have been elevated to level of distinct species.
Rock hyraxes in Mt Kenya. These rock hyraxes live in the altitude of 4300 m asl. Many people climbing to Mt Kenya are first startled by their loud calls that seem to be coming from nowhere.
Rock hyraxes have wide distribution in Africa and in many countries in Middle East
Rock hyraxes are dependent on rocky outcrops, mountain cliffs or boulders that provide shelter for them.
From sea level to 4300m asl in Mt Kenya
Rock hyraxes are diurnal group living animals. One group may have even 80 individuals.
More than 90 % of the day is spent resting.
They feed on grasses, buds, fruits, berries.
Huddling behavior is most common interaction. During warmer times rock hyraxes may rest alone.
Rock hyraxes are highly vocal. Fourie (1977) recorded 21 vocal sound and 4 non-vocal sounds.
Rock hyraxes from Mt Kenya
Rock hyraxes singing songs, witch is rare phenomenon among mammals (Koren 2006, Koren & Geffren 2009, Demartsev et al. 2014). In rock hyraxes songs are sang by males. Most complicated and powerful songs are sang by strong males. These songs are most likely individual badges that males use to advertise their fitness to females.
With one breeding season, all females give birth to 1-4 within three weeks.
Weaning occurs within 1-5 months. Both sexes reach maturity at 28-29 months.
Allthough some habitats remain always occupied, in many locations rock hyraxes colonies may dissapear and then reappear according to metapopulation theory.
In some counties e.g. Saudi-Arabia rock hyraxes are hunted for sport, meat and skins.
Rock hyraxes from Plzen Zoo, Czech
How do you recognize hyrax species from one another?
If they are diurnal, they are either rock hyraxes or bush hyraxes. These are quite different form their appearance.
If they are nocturnal, they are tree hyraxes. Tree hyraxes are usually seen in the proximity of trees as they only eat leaves. In West Africa they are D. dorsalis or D. interfluvialis. They can be separated by their calls. Most common tree hyrax is Dendrohyrax arboreus. This species can be found from equator to South Africa. Other tree hyraxes D. validus and Taita tree hyrax sound very different. D. arboreus sounds like halloween sound track. D. validus has simple hac calls and Taita tree hyraxes have strangled thwack as their main contact calls. You can listen to Taita tree hyrax from here
Key reference: Hoeck, H. Bloomer, P. (2013) ´Procavia capensis Rock hyrax (Klipdassie)’. In “Mammals of Africa” Vol 1. London Bloomsbury. pages 166-171
Demartsev, V. et al. (2014) ‘Male hyraxes increase song complexity and duration in the presence of alert individuals’, Behavioral Ecology, 25(6), pp. 1451–1458. doi:10.1093/beheco/aru155.
Butynski, T., Hoeck, H., Koren, L. & de Jong, Y.A. 2015. Procavia capensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T41766A21285876. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015- 2.RLTS.T41766A21285876.en
Koren, L. (2006) Vocalization as an indicator of individual quality in the rock hyrax. PhD-thesis, Tel-Aviv University.
Koren, L. and Geffen, E. (2009) ‘Complex call in male rock hyrax (Procavia capensis): a multi-information distributing channel’, Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 63(4), pp. 581–590. doi:10.1007/s00265-008-0693-2.
Oates, J.F. et al. (2021) ‘A new species of tree hyrax (Procaviidae: (Dendrohyrax) from West Africa and the significance of the Niger–Volta interfluvium in mammalian biogeography’, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, p. zlab029. doi:10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab029.
Two remaining “larger” forests in Taita Hills are Mbololo 180 ha and Ngangao 120 ha. Taken together these forests are only three square kilometers in size.
View to the canopy in Mbololo Forest
But they are full of amazing forms of life. Many (most) of them critically endangered, as their habitat, indigenous cloud forest has been almost entirely lost from Taita Hills.
These remaining forests could be made national park, as their biodiversity is astounding. Value of these forests as water towers and biodiversity hot spots are priceless.
Threats for Ngangao and Mbololo Forests
Even thought these forests have been conserved in some level they do still deteriorate due to human activities: harvesting of firewood, some (not much) illegal logging, and poaching.
Reduction of rainfall. Previously large cloud forests would draw and collect moisture, and this rainfall would deliver water to large areas surrounding the Taita Hills. Now these small forest fragments don’t have that kind of rainfall pull they used to have.
Edge effects, these are tied to both previous reasons for the deterioration of the forests. As these forests are small, and particularly Ngangao is very narrow, the forest that remains most intact, protected from edge effects is small. People come in from the edges, and this is where most damage is done.
Ocotea usambarensis tree being cut illegally in January 2022. This tree doesn’t reproduce anymore in Taita Hills. It may have lost its pollinator. Only few Ocoteas remain in Taita Hills, as timber is very valuable and bark has medicinal properties.Ngangao Forest from Google Earth satellite image in April 2022. Forest is narrow, and only about 100 meters wide in the most narrow parts. Forest animals are isolated to this forest like island in the sea. They have no changes of dispersal to the other forests. It is possible that forest will simply dry out.
Means for conservation:
Increasing number of indigenous trees in all Taita Hills. Naturally increasing the size of the forest would have biggest impact, but any and all indigenous trees growing in local peoples land would be important addition.
Protection of the forests from firewood collection. It is very difficult to draw the line what is too much firewood collection. These forests are in such a state, that they should be conserved entirely. There are other means of cooking available. Sometimes firewood collection may be consequence of poverty, but to my understanding in these days it is more often result of doing things the way they were done before, some dishes taste better when cooked with wood (at least that is what people believe).
Increase in ecotourism. If these forests are conserved with their amazing species, galagos, tree hyraxes and endemic birds, they can be magnificent source of income to local people. This could provide number of different job opportunities. I have written a article about that: Enigmatic nocturnal mammals of Taita Hills and their potential role in sustainable eco-tourism Naturally, if these forests and their animals are lost, so is the opportunity for ecotourism.
View from top of Nganagao Forest. All these hills used to be covered with 30 million year old forests.
Biodiversity hot spots
Biodiversity of fauna and flora in the Mbololo and Nganago forests is perhaps higher than anywhere else in the world. Gigantic trees, eg. Pauterias can reach 50 meters.
Key tree species in these forests are e.g. Tabernaemontana stapfliana, Pouteria adolfi-friedericii and Macaranga capensis.
Trunk of Pouteria adolfi-friedericii
These trees support life in all their levels and these forests are like cities with skyscrapers where each floor have their own inhabitants and families.
Taita Hills is famous of the endemic birds, these include Taita trush and Taita apalis. Unfortunately especially Taita apalis is declining.
Taita trush at night
Harlaubs turaco is commonly seen and even more often heard in the forest. With its black and red colouring and calls that I often confuse with sykes monkeys calls it is fascinating bird.
Butterfly and moth biodiversity is also amazing. Ngangao peaks are amazing sites to follow butterfly topping. Butterflies, some large like birds, in all colors fly playfully competing with one another over the top over and over again. That is truly fascinating to watch.
Erebus walkeri, large moth that lives in Mbololo and Ngangao
Biodiversity of nocturnal mammals
Nocturnal mammals, that no-one can not avoid to hear in the forests of Taita Hills are Taita tree hyrax (Dendrohyrax sp.) and small eared greater galago (Otolemur garnettii).
Sweet and special – Taita tree hyrax from Mbololo
Dwarf galagos are incredible insectivores living in Ngangao and Mbololo forests. They may new species for the science. They may be differents species in Ngangao and in Mbololo forests.
Dwarf galago from Ngangao Forest, where less than 10 individuals are trying to survive.
Greater galago has adapted to live in villages and gardens, and it is easy to see. Interestingly greater galagos in Taita Hills have great variation in their coloring, some individuals are whitish with white tail and many of them are dark with black tip in the tail. There are also differences in the size and behavior.
Taita tree hyrax is very likely still officially undescribed species for the science. Its striking calls begin in the evening at 19 and ends at 06 in the morning.
Sengi is in danger and almost extinct because it is easy pray for the dogs. January 2022.
The most interesting time to be in the forest is dusk and dawn. At those times one can observe change of sift between diurnal and nocturnal animals. Especially at dawn this moment is simply magical with first rays of light penetrating to the foggy cloud forest.
Mbololo Forest at dawn
Other nocturnal animals, that are more rare and more shy, are dwarf galagos (Paragalago sp.), genet, white tail mongoose and suni antilope.
Hanna Rosti, Janne Heiskanen, Simon Bearder, Petri Pellikka and Jouko Rikkinen
Dwarf galago (Paragalago sp.) from Ngangao Forest in January 2022Spectrogram from incremental call from NgangaoMbololo dwarf galago, Paragalago sp. Photo Hanna Rosti, September 2021.
Calls from Mbololo Paragalagos:
Spectrogram from Mbololo ParagalagoParagalago cocos, Diani beach. Photo Hanna Rosti September 2021.Spectrogram from Paragalago cocos from Diani beach
I visited Sagalla on 13.1.2021 with Benson Lombo and Peter Mwasi. We were looking for tree hyraxes. We didn’t find any tree hyraxes, but we came across a sad ecological disaster.
We visited also Wray’s memorial museum that is still in St Mark’s church in Sagalla. What I write next are from my notes while visiting in the museum.
Sagalla hill from the distance
Missionary Andrew Wray arrived to Sagalla on the 19th century with his family. Beginning was not easy, but persistent work for the betterment of people in Sagalla did make significant improvements to peoples lives.
Andrew Wray was able to end the slave trade from the area. Before his arrival already 40 000 men had been taken to Arabics. Some of the former slaves returned and for them, freetown was build where mental and physical trauma of the former slaves could be treated.
Plaque had also killed 80 000 people from the area. Andrew Wray was able to educate people to kill the rats, and spreading of the plaque ceased.
Andrew Wray also helped people that were hungry, and hunger ceased to be a reason of dying in the area.
Andrew Wray build a St Mark’s church in 1901, and with his influence most people in the area became Christians.
Photographs from inside the church
All this sounds very good
As there was too much rain in the area Andrew Wray began to clear indigenous forests and replace these forests with eucalyptus. It is hard to know all the reasons behind this. It was most likely done to get fast growing timber. Growing population needed timber for houses, furniture and other building material.
Now there is less than two hectares indigenous/mixed eucalyptus forest left in the whole Sagalla area. It was this tiny fragment where we searched for the tree hyraxes in vain. This remaining patch of forest is in the mountain side so steep that it is impossible to walk there. We were just standing above the forest.
Eucalyptus has taken over most of the Sagalla hill. Eucalyptus forest is growing and spreading and there is no commercial use for it. It causes regular forest fires, that are completely unnatural for the area.
Local fauna has been almost entirely wiped out, as there are no species that can live in eucalyptus forests in east Africa. We did saw some birds and we heard greater galagos (Otolemur garnettii) that has adapted to village life.
Sleeping sunbird
One famous endemic animal is Sagalla caecilian (Boulengerula niedeni) that was found 2005, and it is endangered.
We were told that local people contacted grandchildren of Andrew Wray and asked for their help in the massive problem with eucalyptus. They tried to help, but problem with the eucalyptus remains.
Eucalyptus is very strong competitor, it takes out water and nutrients from the soil. It spreads so efficiently that it can not be cleared by manual work. Also native flora and fauna have already been gone for almost hundred years, getting them back would take a long time.
However I am sure that this is clear problem, that could be solved with modern technology and money available for battle against climate change.
Kenya coast dwarf galago (Paragalago cocos) in Diani Beach
This tiny primate goes unnoticed by perhaps to almost all visitors in Diani Beach. When people see it for the first time it feels incredible. It is a very special moment.
In Diani Beach dwarf galagos are living on the last small fragments of indigenous forest. Most of that forest has been cleared. Diani beach is densely populated and the beach is filled by hotels.
Dwarf galagos hunt insects in the tickets of the indigenous forest
Few hotels have kept their indigenous forest. And now these forests are packed with animals. At night active are coastal sunis (tiny antelopes), genets, greater galagos and these dwarf galagos.
Are these small forest fragments enough to keep these populations alive in a long run, I guess nobody knows.
Kenya coast dwarf galagos are living on the very last fragments of indigenous forest in Diani Beach.
Dwarf galagos feed mainly on insects. In Diani Beach, indigenous forests are filled with insects of different kinds throughout the year.
Other nocturnal species from forests of Diani Beach
Also small eared greater galago (Otolemur garnettii) is common in Diani Beach and many hotels feed them in the evening with fruits. Bananas are favourite fruit of these cute primates
Greater galagos in by the pool enjoying their plate of fruits
Mutta ongelmana on se, että pikkugalagoita ei ole saatu pyydystettyä, ja DNA näyte puuttuu.
Pikkugalago Mbololon metsästä. Vaalea väri kuvassa johtuu siitä että yöllä metsä on pilven peitossa.
Pikkugalagot ovat erittäin nopeita, ne liikkuvat hyppimällä.
Pikkugalagot ovat hyönteissyöjiä, ja trooppisessa metsässä niillä on paljon ruokaa tarjolla. Olemme huomanneet että arat pikkugalagot välttävät loukkuun joutumista tehokkaammin kuin mikään muu eläin vuoristometsässä.
Mitä eroja Taitan pikkugalagopopulaatioilla on verrattuna Kenian rannikolla tavattavaan rannikkopikkugalagoon?
Ääntely. Nganagaon ja Mbololon pikkugalagojen ääntely eroaa selvästi rannikon galagoista. Eroa on myös Ngangaon ja Mbololon välillä. Se ei ole mikään ihme, sillä Ngangao ja Mbololo ovat olleet toisistaan eristyksissä 900 000 vuotta.
Koko. Mbolololla elävä pikkugalago on selvästi suurempi kuin Ngangaon pikkugalago. Ngangaon pikkugalago on taas selvästi suurempi kuin rannikon pikkugalago. Vuorilla elävät lajit ovat siis suurempia kuin alangolla.
Elinympäristö. Ngangaon ja Mbololon pikkugalagot elävät metsän sisäosissa ja välttelevät ihmistä. Vaikka alue on tiheästi asuttu, ihmiset saivat tietää pikkugalagojen olemassa olosta vasta meidän tutkimuksiemme myötä. Rannikkopikkugalagoa tavataan myös ihmisten puutarhoista ja kookospalmuista, siitä on peräisin myös rannikon pikkugalagon latinalainen nimi Paragalago cocos. Ngangaossa pikkugalagot elävät 1700-1950 metrin korkeudella merenpinnasta ja Mbolololla 1500-1600 m.
On todennäköistä että vuorilla elävät populaatiot ovat relikti – jäännöspopulaatioita joskus laajemmalle levinneestä pikkugalagopopulaatiosta. Mutta ovatko ne kehittyneet omaksi lajikseen?
Miksi lajistatuksella on merkitystä?
Kun lajia ei tunneta, sen suojeluun on vaikea saada hankittua rahoitusta. Mikäli Taitan pikkugalagot tunnistettaisiin, ne saisivat paljon huomiota tiedotusvälineissä. Tämä huomio voisi toivottavasti johtaa lajien tehokkaampaan suojeluun. Lisäksi erittäin köyhällä alueella, jokainen matkailija vaikuttaa paikallisten haluun suojella luontoa positiivisesti.
Kuinka kauan populaatiot ovat olleet eristyneinä toisistaan?
Ngangao ja Mbololo ovat olleet eristyneinä toisistaan noin 900 000 vuotta. Ja yhteys rannikolla eläviin pikkugalagoihin on katkennut noin kaksi miljoonaa vuotta sitten. Siinä on ollut hyvin aikaa sopeutua elinympäristöön ja kehittyä omaksi lajikseen.
Voivatko Taitan pikkugalagot kuolla sukupuuttoon?
Kyllä. Ngangaossa on jäljellä noin 10 pikkugalagoa. Mbolololla pikkugalagoja on ehkä noin 100. Mbololon jyrkät rinteet estävät tarkemman populaatiokoon arvioinnin. Näin pienet populaatiot ovat alttiita sukusiitokselle, sairauksille ja sattumille.
Miten lajit voitaisiin pelastaaa sukupuutolta?
Tarvittaisiin uutta rahoitusta ja panostusta DNA näytteiden hankintaan.
Ngangaon ja Mbololon metsien suojelu ja niiden pinta-alan kasvattaminen on kriittisen tärkeää pikkugalagoiden tulevaisuuden varmistamiseksi.
Taitavuorten pikkugalagoNgangaonmetsästä
Pikkugalagoiden lajistatuksen voi selvittää vain tutkimalla niiden DNA:ta. Pikkugalagot näyttävät hyvin samanlaisilta. Voit testata tunnistatko itse eri pikkugalagot tästä
Kenian rannikkopikkugalago (Paragalago cocos), Diani Beach, Mombasa, Kenya
Keniassa metsissä liikkuminen öisin on tabu. Harvoilla riittää rohkeutta liikkua metsissä öisin. Benson on paikallinen luonnonsuojelija ja hänelle tämä projekti on ollut hyvin tärkeä.
Bensonin kädessä on Fenix TK25RED taskulamppu. Näitä lamppuja olemme käyttäneet alusta saakka. Eläimet eivät näe punaista valoa, ja tämä taskulamppu mahdollistaa sen, että voimme seurata eläinten käytöstä aivan kuin emme olisi siellä. Se on todella harvinaista maailmassa, missä eläimet yleensä todella pelkäävät ihmistä. Punaisessa valossa metsä näyttää satumaiselta.
Helsingin Sanomien toimittajan Petja Pellin ja kuvaaja Mika Rannan tarina tavoittaa juuri sen jännityksen, ihmetyksen, ilon näiden eläinten näkemisestä ja ihmeellisyydestä. Ja myös sen surullisuuden siitä, että niillä on jäljellä enää noin kolme neliökilometriä metsiä.
Aivan metsän vierestä alkavat pienviljelykset. Näiden viljelyksien sato on tärkeä elinkeino paikallisille ihmisille. Siten alueen uudelleenmetsitys tulee tapahtua yhdessä heidän kanssaan.
On selvää, että näiden vuoristometsien hakkuut ovat aikaansaaneet laajan kuivuuden joka jatkuu ympäröiville savanneille. Vieressä on valtava Tsavon luonnonsuojelualue, joka on riippuvainen Taitavuorilta tulevasta vedestä. Paitsi että vettä ei enää juuri tule, koska sateita saadaan vähemmän ja laaja väestö käyttää veden ennenkuin se saavuttaa savannin. Samaan aikaan norsupopulaatiot kasvavat, janoiset norsut kaatavat puita ja aiheuttavat monien muiden lajien – jotka ovat puista riippuvaisia, kuten monien antilooppien ja seeprojen selviämistä kuivan kauden yli.
Taitalla alkuperäismetsiä hävitettiin monista syistä. Yksi tekijä olivat lähetyssaarnaajat, jotka uskoivat, että tällä alueella voitaisiin harjoittaa metsätaloutta kuten heidän lähtömaissaan. Alkuperäismetsiä hävitettiin puuviljelmien tieltä. Nyt eukalyptus on monin paikoin aiheuttanut vakavan ekologisen katastrofin, ja aiheuttanut satojen ellei tuhansien lajien sukupuuton tai sen vaaran. Eukalyptusmetsät kuivattavat ja köyhdyttävät maaperää. Ne ovat täysin tyhjiä muista lajeista. Lisäksi eukalyptusmetsät palavat usein, mihin alueen muut lajit eivät ole tottuneet lainkaan.
This rare footage shows Taita tree hyrax feeding and moving in the indigenous forest of Taita Hills 2020. Filmed by Benson Lombo, edited by Hanna Rosti.
Animals of Taita, Kenya 