Animals of Taita, Kenya

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  • Peculiar features of hyraxes

    Peculiar features of hyraxes

    Three genuses are recognized:

    1. Dendrohyrax – tree hyraxes – 4 species at the moment – more to come
    2. Heterohyrax – bush hyrax – 1 species + 20+ subspecies
    3. 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.
    Rock hyrax from Mt Kenya

    Related articles:

    ROCK HYRAX Procavia capensis

    Rock hyraxes of Mt Kenya

    Taita tree hyraxes filmed at night

    Acoustic communication of Taita tree hyrax

    Western tree hyrax – Dendrohyrax dorsalis

    Taita tree hyrax – mysterious relict species

    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.

  • Western tree hyrax – Dendrohyrax dorsalis

    Western tree hyrax – Dendrohyrax dorsalis

    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.

    IUCN Red List assessment Least Concern LC

    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.

  • ROCK HYRAX Procavia capensis

    ROCK HYRAX Procavia capensis

    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

    Distribution of Rock hyrax (Map from wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_hyrax)

    IUCN assessment of rock hyrax

    IUCN status Least Consern LC

    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.

  • Conservation of Mbololo and Ngangao Forests

    Conservation of Mbololo and Ngangao Forests

    Text and photos Hanna Rosti 2022

    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

    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. 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:

    1. 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.
    2. 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).
    3. 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.

    Bushbaby, Otolemur garnettii has adapted to changes, and successfully lives also in villages. This life among people has its costs Greater galago, Otolemur garnettii is facing many threats as it adapts to live with along humans in the villages

    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.

    White tail mongoose
  • AABA conference poster presentation: Distribution, population density and behavior of dwarf galagos in Taita Hills (Paragalago sp.)

    AABA conference poster presentation: Distribution, population density and behavior of dwarf galagos in Taita Hills (Paragalago sp.)

    Hanna Rosti, Janne Heiskanen, Simon Bearder, Petri Pellikka and Jouko Rikkinen

    Dwarf galago (Paragalago sp.) from Ngangao Forest in January 2022
    Spectrogram from incremental call from Ngangao
    Mbololo dwarf galago, Paragalago sp. Photo Hanna Rosti, September 2021.

    Calls from Mbololo Paragalagos:

    Spectrogram from Mbololo Paragalago
    Paragalago cocos, Diani beach. Photo Hanna Rosti September 2021.
    Spectrogram from Paragalago cocos from Diani beach

    Read next: Conservation of Mbololo and Ngangao Forests

    For more information contact hanna.z.rosti(at)helsinki.fi

  • Sagalla, Taita, Kenya – how willingness to help lead to ecological disaster

    Sagalla, Taita, Kenya – how willingness to help lead to ecological disaster

    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.

    Read also: Conservation of Mbololo and Ngangao Forests

  • Kenya Coast Dwarf Galago (Paragalago cocos) in Diani Beach, Mombasa, Kenya

    Kenya Coast Dwarf Galago (Paragalago cocos) in Diani Beach, Mombasa, Kenya

    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
  • Taita tree hyraxes filmed at night

    Taita tree hyraxes filmed at night

    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.
  • IUCN CRITERIA – populations matter the most!

    IUCN CRITERIA – populations matter the most!

    IUCN CRITERIA FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES

    CRITERIA IS AS FOLLOWS

    IUCN CRITERIA FOR SPECIES (IUCN 2012)

    EXTINCT (EX): A taxon is Extinct when there is no reasonable doubt that the last individual has died. A taxon is presumed Extinct when exhaustive surveys in known and/or expected habitat, at appropriate times (diurnal, seasonal, annual), throughout its historic range have failed to record an individual. Surveys should be over a time frame appropriate to the taxon’s life cycle and life form.

    EXTINCT IN THE WILD (EW) A taxon is Extinct in the Wild when it is known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalized population (or populations) well outside the past range. A taxon is presumed Extinct in the Wild when exhaustive surveys in known and/or expected habitat, at appropriate times (diurnal, seasonal, annual), throughout its historic range have failed to record an individual. Surveys should be over a time frame appropriate to the taxon’s life cycle and life form.

    CRITICALLY ENDANGERED (CR) A taxon is Critically Endangered when the best available evidence indicates that it meets any of the criteria A to E for Critically Endangered (see Section V), and it is therefore considered to be facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

    Tree hyrax (Dendrohyrax sp.) Taita Hills, Kenya. This is most likely undescribed species for the science and thus doesn’t have IUCN assessment.

    ENDANGERED (EN) A taxon is Endangered when the best available evidence indicates that it meets any of the criteria A to E for Endangered (see Section V), and it is therefore considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.

    VULNERABLE (VU) A taxon is Vulnerable when the best available evidence indicates that it meets any of the criteria A to E for Vulnerable (see Section V), and it is therefore considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.

    NEAR THREATENED (NT) A taxon is Near Threatened when it has been evaluated against the criteria but does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable now, but is close to qualifying for or is likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future.

    LEAST CONCERN (LC) A taxon is Least Concern when it has been evaluated against the criteria and does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable or Near Threatened. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

    DATA DEFICIENT (DD) A taxon is Data Deficient when there is inadequate information to make a direct, or indirect, assessment of its risk of extinction based on its distribution and/or population status. A taxon in this category may be well studied, and its biology well known, but appropriate data on abundance and/or distribution are lacking. Data Deficient is therefore not a category of threat. Listing of taxa in this category indicates that more information is required and acknowledges the possibility that future research will show that threatened classification is appropriate. It is important to make positive use of whatever data are available. In many cases great care should be exercised in choosing between DD and a threatened status. If the range of a taxon is suspected to be relatively circumscribed, and a considerable period of time has elapsed since the last record of the taxon, threatened status may well be justified.

    NOT EVALUATED (NE) A taxon is Not Evaluated when it has not yet been evaluated against the criteria.

    Critically Endangered (CR) vultures, Rüppells Vulture (Gyps rueppelli) and White-Backed Vulture (Gyps africanus) feeding on cow that has been killed by lions in Lumo conservancy Kenya in 2021.

    Taita tree hyrax (Dendrohyrax sp.) and Taita dwarf galago (Paragalago cocos) fulfill following criteria for Critically Endangered species.

    MORE DETAILED KNOWLEDGE ABOUT CRITICALLY ENDANGERED (CR)

    IUCN guide about Critically Endangered:

    A. Reduction in population size based on any of the following (shortened by Hanna Rosti), original with much longer text can be found here: IUCN Red List categories and criteria, version 3.1, second edition

    A. Population size

    • An observed, estimated, inferred or suspected population size reduction of ≥90% over the last 10 years based on direct observation, decline in area of occupancy, extent of occurrence and/or quality of habitat
    • An observed, estimated, inferred or suspected population size reduction of ≥80% over the last 10 years where the reduction or its causes may not have ceased or may not be understood or may not be reversible.

    B. Geographic range

    • Extent of occurrence estimated to be less than 100 km2
    • Area of occupancy estimated to be less than 10 km2

    C. Population size estimated to number fewer than 250 mature individuals or

    • A continuing decline, observed, projected, or inferred, in numbers of mature individuals. Quantitative analysis showing the probability of extinction in the wild is at least 50% within 10 years or three generations, whichever is the longer (up to a maximum of 100 years).

    How IUCN assessment and criteria is made?

    UCN criteria are made based on peer reviewed scientific journals, and they are written by top scientist of the species. Before IUCN assessment can be done, species must be scientifically identified and named.

    Assessment is based on research. Collecting substantial knowledge, preferably long-term knowledge of each species in the planet is not always possible. Species are very different, and methods that different species are studied vary accordingly. There is lack of data on most nocturnal animals, simply because they are so difficult to study.

    Publishing scientific articles is time consuming and expensive. It means that species may go extinct, or their IUCN status may change faster than can be noticed, as humans are changing Earth in ever-growing speed.

    Critically Endangered (CR) Taita thrush (Turdus helleri) from Taita Hills. Number of mature individuals 930.

    Taita tree hyrax and Taita dwarf galago are already CR Critically endangered

    However, Taita tree hyrax and Taita dwarf galago don’t yet have any IUCN criteria. In Taita Hills there is about 6 km2 of indigenous tropical cloud forest left. This means that these species are Critially Endangered based on B2, area of occupancy less than 10 km2.

    Forests that are left in Taita Hills are severely fragmented, and not connected to each other. So they are like islands in the sea. Forests are remaining in the mountain tops of Taita Hills, and they are also called water towers, as local people understand the ability of indigenous forest of attract rainwater.

    Most of Taita Hills forest have been cleared for agriculture and exotic tree (Eucalyptus, cyprus, pine etc.) plantations during last 100 years.

    Largest forest fragments are Mbololo 1,8 km2, and Ngangao 1,2 km2 and Chawia 0,8 km2. These are very small forests – all of them. Only Mbololo and Ngangao still have dwarf galago populations. Tree hyrax is more common, and it also survives in smaller fragments.

    These severy fragmented forests are still source of firewood for some local people. A price of electricity is very high in Kenya, and using gas is also too expensive to some people. Firewood is used for cooking. Collection of firewood decreases quality of the forest, and signs are clearly visible on the edges and around paths inside the forest.

    This Kenya coast dwarf galago (Paragalago cocos), is interesting relict population from wider range of Kenya coast dwarf galago. Other populations are living in coast of Kenya. But in Taita Hills, it is only living on two mountain tops.

    Populations are what matter!

    All populations are worth conservation. Before species go extinct, population number may even increase in some area, if habitats are destroyed and animals are packed in remaining habitat. This is called extinction debt. Competition in remaining habitat will decrease number of animals.

    If we wait with conservation efforts until 90 % of population is lost, it is too late!

    Forms of life are connected to each other. What happens to one species, happens to many species. This is because species use other species as food sources and rely on other species as their habitat, reproduction, safety and habitat.

    The web of life can decrease in countless ways that humans are unable to monitor, even with most high quality research.

    In a another words, we can’t predict consequences to other species caused by one species of animal going Critically Endangered or Extinct.

    All populations should be conserved in a level, where they have genetic biodiversity, resilience to changes and disease, capability to reproduce normally.

    IUCN guidelines are necessary tool to evaluate and compare situations where species are.

    However, more awareness should be given to each population, and conservation before species is Critically Endangered.

    We are living sixth mass extinction, our responsibility is to protect other species, and keep populations of other species alive, resilient and strong.

    Taita white-eye (Zosterops silvanus) is categorized as Endangered (EN) by IUCN.

    Read also: Conservation of Mbololo and Ngangao Forests

    Read also: Taita tree hyrax – mysterious relict species

    Read also: AABA conference poster presentation: Distribution, population density and behavior of dwarf galagos in Taita Hills (Paragalago sp.)

  • Videos

    Videos

    27.8.2022

    Short video introduction to tree hyraxes, with unique footage

    Video of tree hyraxes filmed at night with night binoculars

    As far as we know this is first video of tree hyraxes filmed at night. Tree hyraxes in East Africa are extremely shy, and difficult to observe. Usually they vanish in to the canopy when seen, or before humans can see them.

    Tree hyraxes, and other nocturnal animals of Taita Hills

    Video telling about Hanna Rosti’s research and conservation of noctural animals in Taita Hills, filmed in January 2021

    Volunteer opportunities with Kenya wildlife conservation – Mwalua Wildlife Trust

    Mwalua Wildlife Trust was founded by Patrick Kilonzo to provide drinking water for animals suffering from lack of water during the dry season. As Water for Elephants has been success, many more work needs to be done. Volunteers from all over the world are welcome to join

    Identify nocturnal tropic animals of from thermal imaging camera recordings, answers are in the end

    Test if you identify animals from thermal imaging camera. Animals in the video are nocturnal and live in indigenous cloud forests of Taita Hills, Kenya. These animals are surviving on the last fragments of indigenous forest.

    Tsavo West by Peter A Mwasi

    Tsavo West is one of most beautiful places in the world. And one of world largest conservation areas. This short film introduces scenery of Tsavo West and its most common animals. Peter also visits Chaimu crater and Mzima springs.

    African wood owl (Strix woodfordii)

    African wood owl filmed in Ngangao Forest, Taita Hills, Kenya. Filming Benson Mwakachola Lombo

  • Critically endangered: Rüppell’s Vulture and White-Backed Vulture in Kenya

    Critically endangered: Rüppell’s Vulture and White-Backed Vulture in Kenya

    Critically Endangered (CR) vultures, Rüppells Vulture and White-Backed Vulture feeding on cow that has been killed by lions in Lumo conservancy Kenya in 2021. As they feed they make considerable noise, squealing.

    This article shows how to identify these species and discusses reasons behing re, even though it is not always easy as their coloring changes with age.

    Magnificent sight in African savannas that has sadly become increasingly rare. These vultures have gathered here in Lumo conservancy, Taita, Kenya.

    Rüppell’s Vulture (Gyps rueppelli)

    Larger species is Rüppells Vulture (Gyps rueppelli), with beautiful white decorations in the feathers and white collar.

    Rüppells vulture (Gyps rueppelli) standing on a cow. Wingspan of this species is over two meters 226-255.

    There are no feathers on the head or the neck. This allows birds to stick their heads inside carcasses. There was actually one fully in on this carcass.

    Rüppell’s vulture is a species that has flown in the altitude of 11300m. Individual died as it crashed with aeroplane. This is highest altitude where bird has ever been proven to be.

    Rüppell’s vulture on flight

    Rüppell’s vulture weighs 6.4-9 kg. Wingspan is 226-255.

    Rüppell’s Vulture from behind (on the left). Others are White-Backed Vultures.

    White-Backed Vulture (Gyps africanus)

    White-Backed Vulture is ligher brown and more even in coloring. It weighs 4.2-7.2 kilograms and wingspan is 192-225 cm.

    White-Backed Vulture (Gyps africanus) is smaller than Rüppells Vulture and may avoid confrontation with larger species.
    White-Backed Vulture from the front with nice light brown coloring.
    White-Backed Vulture on flight, its wingspan may also exceed two meters
    How to separate these two species? Here in the front is White-Backed Vulture and on the behind Rüppell’s Vulture. Coloring is different, with White-Backed being lighter brown. Rüppell’s is larger and sturdier.

    Reasons for decrease of vultures

    • Loss of trees used for resting and nesting. Vultures need large trees (about 1m wide at breast height) in the places where they are not disturbed. These trees are rare in Africa.
    These are trees in Taita Sanctuary where vultures used to sleep in 2018 and 2019. Now they have moved. These trees have died as they cant survive this treatment by vultures. These trees were only ones in the area large enough for vultures.
    • Pesticides and poisoning – as vultures are top carnivores – what ever their prey has been feeding on ends up in vultures and accumulates to their bodies causing serious consequences including death. These are heavy metals from pesticides, medicines used for cattle and direct poisons. Vultures have been poisoned accidentally and non-accidentally.
    • Loss of habitat, as ever increasing human population requires more and more land. Habitat suitable for vultures decrease all over Africa.
    • Gyps rueppelli with wings spread out Lumo 2021
    • Gyps rueppelli with wings spread out Lumo 2021
    • Back of G. rueppelli, others G. africanus
    • Front G. africanus, behind G. rueppelli
    • Gyps africanus Lumo 2021
    • Gyps africanus Lumo 2021
    • Gyps rueppelli Lumo 2021
    • Gyps africanus Lumo 2021
    • Gyps rueppelli Lumo 2021
  • Tsavo West – land of giraffes, zebras and elephants

    Tsavo West – land of giraffes, zebras and elephants

    Tsawo West is large park, where you literally can get lost (like we did). It is covered with small mountain ranges and small trees. Elephants and dik-diks are more abundant in the more dense areas, where as zebras, giraffes and many antilopes prefer more open areas for safety.

    Large male with other horn broken from Tsavo West, close to Tsavo river

    We drove in from Mtito Andei Gate from highway between Nairobi and Mombasa. We payed the fee through mPesa. As we were not sure if cash payments were possible. Fee for four people, two residents, two non-residents was only 63 euros, as due to covid-epidemic Kenya reduced the fees for 50 %.

    Elephants close to Mtito Andei gate

    From the beginning we saw elephants, lots of elephants and lots of dik-diks. First stop was rhino sanctuary, but it was open only between 16-18. Thus we only used clean toilets and continued to Chaimu crater.

    This leopard turtle was among the first animals we saw.

    Dik-diks are along the road
    We also saw several bat-eared foxes
    Scenery from Chaimu crater, where we climbing is possible. Chaimu is dormant volcano, that erupted just 200 years ago. More about Chaimu from the video we made (also added below). See how small Toyota Hilux looks in this landscape!

    From Chaimu crater we continued to Mzima springs. Mzima springs is 55 kilometers from Mtito Andei gate. After long drive it is nice to be able to do a small walk in Mzima springs to see hippos and crocodiles.

    Hippo group from Mzima springs
    Crocodile from Mzima springs

    From Mzima springs our idea was to continue to the Voi-Taveta road close to Maktau. However we could not find bridge through Tsavo river. The bridge all roads lead to was under construction, and we didn’t have a map. So we had to drive all the way back to Mtito Andei gate. As we had left from Wundanyi, total drive of the day was 450 km. Next time I will by the map in advance, you can’t trust that you could get one from the gate.

    Area around Mzima springs is more dry and open. We saw hundreds of zebras, countless giraffes and other antilopes.

    Animals and photos that were memorable for me are these

    Red-billed hornbill
    Baboon family close to Tsavo river
    Klipspringer
    Paradise whydah (Vidua paradisea)

    Wildlife in Tsavo West is astounding. I will definedly go back, to camp in tents for some time.

    How sweet and peaceful this baboon female looks
    We made this video to be shown at local schools, so that they would also learn about Tsavo West. It is also very informative for anyone planning to visit Tsavo West.