Animals of Taita, Kenya

Tag: conservation

  • 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
  • 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

  • Taita tree hyrax – mysterious relict species

    Taita tree hyrax – mysterious relict species

    (Dendrohyrax sp.)

    I will never forget fist time that I heard tree hyrax. I was sitting on a log. It was first time I was in the forest after dark. I was companied by Kenya Forest Service ranger Jonam Mwandoe. Startling call, that seemed to come just to my ear, almost dropped me from the log. I asked what an earth was that?

    Jonam told me about tree hyraxes, but I really didn’t understand. I had no idea that there could be relatives of elephants in the trees. For some time I thought of them as some peculiar rodents, which they really are not!

    Each night in the forest had been filled with their vocalizations, where individuals counter call to another. But it took weeks to see one. At the time I had no idea how special this event was.

    This individual, probably young female was first tree hyrax I saw. It was resting just about 4 meters above the ground. Females have smaller and rounder tusks.

    Researchers just don’t see tree hyraxes. And this is probably why these animals are so neglected in science. Studying animals that you can’t see in difficult and challenging conditions and producing scientific articles with real data even more difficult.

    As time went on I gathered more pictures and tons of recordings of their vocalizations. I became more and more intrigued by these mysterious animals. Then it really hit me:

    Tree elephants!!!!

    Hyraxes belong to Paenungulata, their relatives are elephants and manatees. How amazing and unbelievable group!

    My supervisor, emeritus professor Simon Bearder pointed out from recordings, that these tree hyraxes are new species for the science.

    Special features of tree hyraxes

    • Belong to Paenungulata with elephants and manatees
    • Small tusks
    • Teeth like rhinos
    • Dense fur
    • Three toes
    • Round body
    • Eat leaves, fibrous, low calorie diet
    • Slow metabolic rate
    • Complicated digestion system
    • Low body temperature
    • Internal testes
    • Whiskers around the body
    • Scent gland
    • Spends days in tree holes
    • Use toilets
    • Extremely variable vocal communication
    • Solitary
    • Nocturnal

    Variable vocal communication suggests that this species has complex social behavior, even though they are solitary. Knowledge of these species and their behavior is very limited.

    This male is much larger and has bigger tusks.

    Ecological niche of tree hyrax is the same as koala and sloth

    In some two largest forests of Taita Hills, Ngangao and Mbololo tree hyrax density is high. However total area of these forests are only three square kilometers. As density is high, young animals are forced to move out of forest, where they easy food for dogs.

    Tree hyrax only lives in indigenous forest. It is dependent on tree cavities for safety

    Tree hyrax jumping from branch to another. Thinking and hesitating took minutes before actual jump.

    How tree hyraxes can live in the canopy of tall mountain rain forest is amazing. Animal is heavy, it has only tree toes. It seems like species that is taken out of their real environment.

    One form of protection for this species could be to build artificial nest in areas, where are trees, but no tree cavities. However replanting of indigenous forest and building corridors between fragments is necessary for long term survival of this species.

    This sweet female was observing us from close range, she was possibly moving on to new tree.

    These unknown tree hyraxes are in serious threat by human development all over Africa, not just in Taita Hills. Different species of tree hyraxes are possibly going extinct even before they are identified.

    Mammals of Africa (2013):

    “Major revision of this group is overdue”

    Eastern tree hyrax (Dendrohyrax validus) drawing from Mammals of Africa (Kingdon 2013).

    “Taita tree hyrax desperately needs taxonomic identification and conservation”

    Read next: Conservation of Mbololo and Ngangao Forests

    Read next: Acoustic communication of Taita tree hyrax

    Read next: How to observe nocturnal animals in tropical forest?

    Sources:

    Cordeiro, Norbert J., Nathalie Seddon, David R. Capper, Jonathan M. M. Ekstrom, Kim M. Howell, Isabel S. Isherwood, Charles A. M. Msuya, 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): 175–89. https://doi.org/10.2982/0012-8317(2005)94%5B175:NOTEAS%5D2.0.CO;2.

    Hoeck, Hendrik. n.d. “Hyraxes, Order Hyracoidea. Biological Synopsis.” IUCN/SSC Afroteria Specialist Group. http://www.afrotheria.net/Hyracoidea.html (accessed 16.2.2020)

    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. https://doi.org/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. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T136599A21288090.en.

    Kingdon, Jonathan, ed. 2013. Mammals of Africa. Vol. 1: Introductory Chapters and Afrotheria. London: Bloomsbury.

    Maloiy, G. M. O., and R. M. Eley. 1992. The Hyrax. Nairobi, Kenya: R.M. Eley. THE HYRAX BOOKLataa

    Roberts, Diana. 2001. “GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION IN THE LOUDCALLS OF TREE HYRAX – DENDROHYRAX VALIDUS (TRUE 1890) – IN THE EASTERN ARC MOUNTAINS, EAST AFRICA: TAXONOMIC AND CONSERVATION IMPLICATIONS.” UNIVERSITY OF READING.

    Topp-Jørgensen, Elmer, Andrew R Marshall, Henry Brink, and Ulrik Pedersen. 2008. “Quantifying the Response of Tree Hyraxes (Dendrohyrax Validus) to Human Disturbance in the Udzungwa Mountains, Tanzania.” Tropical Conservational Science 2008 (1 (1):63-74). https://tropicalconservationscience.mongabay.com/content/v1/08-03-03-Yopp-Jorgensen.htm.

    Maloiy, G. M. O., and R. M. Eley. 1992. The Hyrax. Nairobi, Kenya: R.M. Eley. THE HYRAX BOOKLataa

    Book about hyraxes can be uploaded from above