TETE IRON ORE PROJECT

TERRESTRIAL FAUNA BASELINE REPORT

Prepared for: Prepared by:

Coastal and Environmental Services Capitol Resources Limitada (A (Pty) Ltd member of the Baobab Group) Mozambique, Limitada

Rua Fernão Melo e Castro 261 Current Address: Bairro da Sommerschield Rua da Frente de Libertação de Maputo Moçambique, Nº 324 Moçambique Maputo- Moçambique Tel: (+258) 21 243500 • Fax: (+258) 21 243550 Website: www.cesnet.co.za

December 2014

1

This Report should be cited as follows: Coastal & Environmental Services Ltd, December 2014: Baobab Resources Terrestrial Fauna Baseline Report, CES, Grahamstown.

CES Report Revision and Tracking Schedule

Document Title Tete Iron ore Project, Tete, Mozambique: Terrestrial Fauna Baseline Report

Client Name & Capitol Resources Lda Address Rua Fernão Melo e Castro 261 Bairro da Sommerschield Maputo Moçambique

Document Reference

Status Draft

Issue Date

Lead Author Mr Michael Bailey

Reviewer Dr Ted Avis

Study Leader or Dr Ted Avis Registered Environmental Assessment Practitioner Approval Report Distribution Circulated to No. of hard No. electronic copies copies

This document has been prepared in accordance with the scope of Coastal & Environmental Services (CES) appointment and contains intellectual property and proprietary information that is protected by copyright in favour of CES. The document may therefore not be reproduced, used or distributed to any third party without the prior written consent of Coastal & Environmental Services. This document is prepared Coastal& Environmental Services exclusively for use by CES’s client. CES accepts no liability for 67 African Street any use of this document other than by its client and only for Grahamstown the purposes for which it was prepared. No person other than 6140 the client may copy (in whole or in part) use or rely on the [email protected] contents of this document, without the prior written permission www.cesnet.co.za of CES. The document is subject to all confidentiality, Also in Maputo copyright and trade secrets rules, intellectual property law and practices of South Africa.

Coastal & 3 Terrestrial Fauna Baseline Report –December 2014 AUTHORS

Michael Bailey Principal Environmental Consultant Michael holds an MSc in Quantitative Conservation Biology from the University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg), and a BSc in Biology and Ecology from the University of Ulster, and is a Principal Environmental Consultant at CES in Grahamstown. His professional interests include ecological and wildlife conservation, wildlife population surveys and monitoring, project management, ecological planning and mitigation for major development projects, particularly in the mining and renewable energy sectors. Prior to joining CES he was an ecological consultant in the UK and Ireland responsible for consulting on and managing numerous ecological projects for private development clients and Government departments. He has also been involved with environmental business development in UK, Ireland and Africa having owned his own safari business in Zambia. Michael has been involved in designing and conducting various research projects which range from field-based surveys and population monitoring programs to laboratory- based genetic research initiatives. In the last six years Michael has had experience working on the environmental aspects of major development projects in numerous African countries including, South Africa, Zambia, Mozambique, Liberia, Botswana, Uganda and Zimbabwe, as well as extensive project management experience in the UK and Ireland.

Nic Davenport, Senior Environmental Consultant. Nic holds a BSc (Env Sci and Zoology), BSc (Hons) and MSc (with distinction) in Environmental Science from Rhodes University. His MSc dealt with valuing the tangible contributions of natural resources to urban households’ livelihoods from the surrounding municipal commonage of three different towns in South Africa. Nic’s experience in the consulting field relates to ecological and land use studies throughout southern Africa, but also incorporates facilitating sustainable development, public participation and budget management. He is also competent with GIS particularly with ArcGIS 9. His interests include natural resource management, ecological studies dealing with indigenous fauna and flora, particularly terrestrial, wetland, and avifaunal studies.

Bill Branch, Terrestrial Vertebrate Faunal Consultant Bill Branch obtained B.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees at Southampton University, UK. He was employed for 31 years as the herpetologist at the Port Elizabeth Museum, and now retired holds the honorary post of Curator Emeritus. He has published over 260 scientific articles, as well as numerous popular articles and books. The latter include the Red Data Book for endangered South African reptiles and amphibians (1988), and co-editing its most recent upgrade – the Atlas and Red Data Book of the Reptiles of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland (2013). He has also published guides to the reptiles of both Southern and Eastern Africa. He has chaired the IUCN SSC African Reptile Group. He has served as an Honorary Research Professor at the University of Witwatersrand (Johannesburg), and has recently been appointed as a Research Associate at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth. His research concentrates on the taxonomy, biogeography and conservation of African reptiles, and he has described over 30 new species. He has extensive field work experience, having worked in over 16 African countries, including Gabon, Ivory Coast, DRC, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi, Madagascar, Namibia, Angola and Tanzania. His African bird list exceeds 1100 species.

Mr Werner Conradie, Herpetologist Port Elizabeth Museum (Bayworld) Werner holds a Masters in Environmental Science (M.Env.Sc), specialising in Herpetology and Zoology in general with 8 years of experience in southern African herpetofauna. Main research interests focus on the taxonomy, conservation and ecology of amphibians and reptiles of southern Africa. Co-author of ‘Field Guide to the Frogs and Toads of the Vredefort Dome World Heritage Site’ and numerous scientific papers. Research expeditions include countries like Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Angola and Malawi.

Coastal & Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd i Baobab Resources (Pty) Ltd Terrestrial Fauna Baseline Report –December 2014 TABLE OF CONTENTS

AUTHORS ...... I TABLE OF CONTENTS ...... II LIST OF TABLES ...... IV LIST OF FIGURES ...... IV LIST OF PLATES ...... IV ACRONYMS ...... V 1. INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.1 Objective ...... 1 1.2 Terms of reference ...... 2 1.3 Assumptions and Limitations ...... 2 2. METHODS ...... 6 2.1 The assessment ...... 6 2.2 Faunal Diversity ...... 6 2.3 Detailed description of sampling methods...... 7 2.3.1 Site visit ...... 7 2.3.2 Species of Conservation Concern ...... 7 2.3.3 Habitat mapping ...... 8 3. BIOPHYSICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AREA ...... 9 3.1 Location and general description of the site ...... 9 3.2 Regional Overview ...... 9 3.2.1 Geology and soils ...... 9 3.2.2 Climate ...... 11 3.2.3 Topography ...... 11 3.2.4 Hydrology ...... 12 3.2.5 Vegetation ...... 12 3.2.6 Fauna ...... 14 3.2.7 Land use and human influence ...... 15 3.3 Protected Areas ...... 16 4. RESULT OF THE VERTEBRATE FAUNAL SURVEYS ...... 18 4.1 Introduction ...... 18 4.2 Amphibians ...... 18 4.2.1 Regional overview of Amphibians ...... 18 4.2.2 Recorded Amphibians species from the project area ...... 19 4.2.3 Amphibian SCC ...... 20 4.2.4 Threats to Amphibians ...... 21 4.3 Reptiles ...... 21 4.3.1 Regional overview of Reptiles ...... 21 4.3.2 Recorded Reptile species from the project area ...... 21 4.3.3 Reptile SCC ...... 22 4.3.4 Threats to Reptiles ...... 24 4.4 Birds ...... 25 4.4.1 Regional overview ...... 25 4.4.2 Recorded Bird species from the project area ...... 26 4.4.3 Birds SCC ...... 27 4.4.4 Threats to Birds ...... 29 4.5 Mammals ...... 29 4.5.1 Regional overview of Mammals ...... 29 4.5.2 Recorded Mammal species from the project area ...... 30 4.5.3 Mammal SCC ...... 31 4.5.4 Threats to Mammals ...... 33 5. HABITAT TYPES IN THE PROJECT AREA ...... 34 5.1 Vegetation Habitats ...... 34 6. SENSITIVITY ...... 42 6.2.1 Rivers and drainage lines ...... 42 Rocky ridges and outcrops ...... 43

Coastal & Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd ii Baobab Resources (Pty) Ltd Terrestrial Fauna Baseline Report – December 2014

7. KEY FAUNAL ISSUES AND IMPACT STATEMENT ...... 47 7.1 Issue 1 - Loss and fragmentation of sensitive habitats ...... 47 7.1.1 Impact 1.1: Loss and fragmentation of Zambezian and mopane woodland habitat .... 48 7.1.2 Impact 1.2: Loss of and fragmentation of Dambo and Riparian habitats ...... 49 7.1.3 Impact 1.3: Loss of hills and associated rocky outcrops ...... 51 7.2 Issue 2:Loss of Faunal Diversity ...... 52 7.2.1 Impact 2.1: Loss of Amphibian Diversity ...... 53 7.2.2 Impact 2.2: Loss of Reptile Diversity ...... 54 7.2.3 Impact 2.3: Loss of Bird Diversity ...... 56 7.2.4 Impact 2.4: Loss of Mammal Diversity ...... 57 7.3 Issue 3: Loss of Species of Conservation Concern ...... 59 7.3.1 Impact 3.1: Loss of Amphibian SCC ...... 59 7.3.2 Impact 3.2: Loss of Reptile SCC ...... 59 7.3.3 Impact 3.3: Loss of Bird SCC ...... 61 7.3.4 Impact 3.4: Loss of Mammal SCC ...... 62 7.4 Issue 4: Disruption to faunal movements ...... 64 7.4.1 Impact 4.1: Disruption of faunal movements ...... 64 7.5 Issue 5: Invasion of Alien Fauna ...... 65 7.5.1 Impact 5.1: Invasion of alien species ...... 65 7.6 Issue 6: Increased Fire Risk ...... 66 7.6.1 Impact 6.1: Faunal impact from increased fire risk ...... 67 7.7 Issue 7: Pollution ...... 68 7.7.1 Impact 7.1: Chemical pollution ...... 68 7.7.2 Impact 7.2: Dust pollution ...... 70 7.7.3 Impact 7.3: Noise pollution ...... 71 7.8 Issue 8: Dangerous Animals ...... 72 7.8.1 Impact 8.1: Venomous snakebite ...... 72 7.8.2 Impact 8.2: Crocodile and Elephant attacks ...... 73 7.2 Issue 9: Faunal Impacts of Power Lines ...... 74 Impact 9.1: Loss of faunal habitats from power lines ...... 75 Impact 9.2: Increased mortality to birds due to collision with powers lines ...... 76 Impact 9.3: Increased bird mortality due to electrocution on powers lines ...... 79 Impact 9.4: Increased faunal mortality (non-bird) on powers lines...... 81 Impact 9.5: Avoidance of the area by faunal groups due to Coronal discharge...... 82 8. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 84 9. REFERENCES...... 86 APPENDIX 1: LIST OF AMPHIBIAN SPECIES...... 91 APPENDIX 3: LIST OF BIRD SPECIES ...... 98 APPENDIX 4: LIST OF MAMMAL SPECIES ...... 115

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LIST OF TABLES

Table 4.1 All possible and recorded bird SCC for the project area. 27 Table 4.2: Mammals SCC which are likely to occur or have occurred within the project area. 31

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1.1: Location of the Tete Iron Project ...... 3 Figure 1.2: Conceptual mine layout of the Tete Iron Project...... 4 Figure 3.1: Geology of the Tete Iron Project area...... 10 Figure 3.2: Historical mean monthly rainfall in Tete between 1978 and 2013 (Data from National Institute of Meteorology Provincial Delegation of Meteorology of Tete) ...... 11 Figure 3.3: General topography and hydrology of the greater Project area...... 13 Figure 3.4: WWF Ecoregions highlighting the Zambezian and Mopane Woodlands ...... 15 Figure 3.5: Protected areas within Mozambique ...... 17 Figure 5-1: Vegetation (habitat) of the Project Area ...... 35 Figure 5-2: Vegetation (habitat) of the northern sections of Haul Roads 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7...... 36 Figure 5-3: Vegetation (habitat) of the southern sections of Haul Roads 1, 2, 4 and 5...... 36 Figure 5-4: Vegetation (habitat) of the northern section of Haul Road 3...... 37 Figure 5-5: Vegetation (habitat) of the southern section of Haul Road 3...... 37 Figure 6-1: Sensitivity map of the project area ...... 44 Figure 6-2: Sensitivity map of the northern sections of Haul Roads 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7...... 45 Figure 6-3: Sensitivity map of the southern sections of Haul Roads 1, 2, 4, 5,6 and 7...... 45 Figure 6-4: Sensitivity map of the northern section of Haul Road 3...... 46 Figure 6-5: Sensitivity map of the southern section of Haul Road 3...... 46

LIST OF PLATES

Plate 4.1: An array of amphibians which were recorded during the wet season site visit (Photos: W.R. Branch) 19 Plate 4.2: An array of amphibians which were recorded during the dry season site visit (Photos: W. Conradie) 20 Plate 4.3: An array of reptiles which were recorded during the wet season site visit (Photos: W.R. Branch) 22 Plate 4.4: An array of reptiles which were recorded during the dry season site visit (Photos: W. Conradie) 23 Plate 5.1: Open Zambezian Undifferentiated Woodland 34 Plate 5.2: Ruoni north with Closed Zambezian Undifferentiated Woodland on its summit 38 Plate 5.3: Closed Zambezian Undifferentiated Woodland 38 Plate 5.4: Mopane woodland 39 Plate 5.5: Revuboe River and riparian zone 39 Plate 5.6 Typical reed beds found on site 40 Plate 5.7: Rocky outcrops typically occur on ridges amongst Closed Zambezian Undifferentiated Woodland 40

Coastal & Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd iv Baobab Resources (Pty) Ltd Terrestrial Fauna Baseline Report – December 2014

ACRONYMS

CES Coastal & Environmental Services CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species EIA Environmental Impact Assessment GIS Global Information System GPS Global Positioning System IUCN International Union for the Conservation of Nature SCC Species of Conservation Concern AIM Alternative Investment Market PFS Pre-feasibility Study CR Critically Endangered EN Endangered VU Vulnerable NT Near Threatened DEM Digital Elevation Model asl Above sea level IBA Important Bird Area LC Least Concern

Coastal & Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd v Baobab Resources (Pty) Ltd Terrestrial Fauna Baseline Report –December 2014 1. INTRODUCTION

Capitol Resources Limitada (Capitol Resources) is proposing to develop the Tete Iron Project in the Tete Province of Mozambique and is in the process of undertaking a definitive feasibility study (DFS). Capitol Resources is a wholly owned subsidiary of Baobab Resources Plc (Baobab), a Mozambique-focused iron ore, base and precious metal explorer. Baobab has been listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of London’s Stock Exchange since February 2007. Capitol Resources is a Mozambican company that has assembled a portfolio of 13 exploration licences (two of which are in joint venture with OmegaCorp), covering an area of 220,926 ha throughout the country. The Tete Iron Project is emerging as Capitol Resources’ flagship project.

The Capitol Resources Tete Iron Project is located north of the provincial capital of Tete, in the Chiúta and Moatize districts. Mining licences are held for three areas – 1032L, 1033L and 1035L (Figure 1.1) – all of which are 100% owned by Capitol Resources. The first phase of mining activity will occur in the 1035L licence area, and this report relates only to this area.

Initially, the focus of the Capitol Resources Tete Iron Project will be an area of magnetite-titanium- vanadium mineralisation known as the Massamba Group, located approximately 45 km north- northeast of Tete.

The Tenge-Ruoni deposits are comprised of four areas, Ruoni Flats, Ruoni North, Ruoni South and Tenge, of which the Tenge option is the preferred area to be mined for the next 25 years and is the focus of this report and the subsequent Environmental Social & Health Impact Assessment (ESHIA). Ruoni Flats, Ruoni North, and Ruoni South will remain as expansion areas for future developments.

The current Tenge-Ruoni project area is shown in Figure 1.2 and is indicative of the maximum likely extent of direct disturbance, outside of which infrastructure is unlikely to be located. The Revuboe River flows through the mining site and CES understands that no river diversions will be required for the mining of area 1035L but a diversion may be necessary for future developments. The project will require the construction of associated infrastructure such as access roads (haul roads), water course crossing, power lines, processing facilities and workshops, water supply pipelines and accommodation camps. The project area may also extend beyond the existing licence boundaries in terms of access roads and haul route options (see Figure 1.3), and Capitol Resources will aim to require additional land should this be necessary to extend the licence boundaries.

1.1 Objective

To provide a general description of the natural terrestrial fauna of the specific area to be mined, and adjacent areas that will be impacted by the associated mining infrastructure. Two specific areas were assessed:

1. The mining project area 2. The alternative haul-road route options.

In addition, the objective of this terrestrial fauna survey is to determine the presence and distribution of species of conservation concern (SCC), as well as determine the likely habitat availability on site for these species.

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1.2 Terms of reference

The following terms of reference were provided for the terrestrial fauna report:

 Provide general details of the seasonal, breeding and migration trends for observed during both wet and dry seasons;  Identify and list all species of terrestrial vertebrates occurring in the mining area, based on the literature, published specimens or site records, and likely occurrences;  Record species of fauna identified in the mining area list by: active searching, opportunistic siting and specimen collection;  Provide details of any new species or occurrences;  Assess the habitat preference of fauna and use these habitat preferences to assess the presence and abundance of faunal species;  Identify SCC using reference to the IUCN Red Data List;  Define and map faunal habitats that are sensitive and require conservation. These may need to be defined as No-Go or Restricted Development areas;  Describe current impacts on faunal groups; and,  Identify any impacts that mining will have on the different faunal groups and specific species that would be significantly affected by the mining proposal.

1.3 Assumptions and Limitations

Study specific assumptions and limitations include:

 Mozambique has no national Species of Conservation Concern (SCC) lists. Assessment of SCC is thus difficult and must rely on lists prepared in adjacent countries, or on international lists (e.g. IUCN Red Data lists and CITES appendices). The species listed in this report may not be comprehensive, and it is likely that additional SCC may be found during construction and operation of the development.  Time is a constraint in studies such as these and only a sample of the fauna of the area was taken.  Access to the entire site during the wet season survey was limited due to the presence of surface water and inaccessible roads.

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Figure 1.1: Location of the Tete Iron Project

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Figure 1.2: Conceptual mine layout of the Tete Iron Project.

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Figure 1.3: Haul route options for the Tete Iron Project

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2. METHODS

2.1 The assessment

The aim of this assessment is to identify areas of ecological importance and to evaluate these in terms of their conservation importance. In order to do so, the ecological sensitivity of areas is assessed as well as the SCC that may occur in habitats occurring in the area.

To a large extent, the condition and sensitivity of the vegetation will also determine the presence of faunal SCC and areas with high faunal biodiversity.

It is not the aim of this study to produce a complete list of all animal species occurring in the region, but rather to examine a representative sample. It is however, important to note areas of high sensitivity as well as SCC which may occur within the identified habitats. The aim of this study is to identify areas of high sensitivity and those that may be subject to significant impacts from the project. Aspects that would increase impact significance, in terms of faunal groups, include:

 Presence of faunal species of conservation concern.  Faunal habitats of conservation concern.  Areas of high biodiversity.  The presence of process areas: o Ecological corridors o Wetlands (including rivers) o Complex topographical features (especially steep and rocky slopes that provide niche habitats for both plants and animals)

2.2 Faunal Diversity

The known diversity of the terrestrial fauna in the project area was determined by a literature review. Species known from the region, or from adjacent regions whose preferred habitat(s) were known to occur within the study area, were also included. Literature sources included:  Amphibians – Channing (2001), Pickersgill (2007), Poynton & Broadley (1985-1991), Schiotz (1999), Frost (2012).  Reptiles – Broadley (2000), Branch (1998, 1999, 2008), Branch & Bayliss (2009), Branch & Ryan (2001), Branch & Tolley (2010), Pieteren et al. (2013), Spawls & Branch (1995).  Birds – Sinclair & Ryan (2010) and Lepage (2013).  Mammals – Kingdon (2004).

Over and above the literature review, the field methods for compiling the species lists involved the following:

Amphibians and reptiles: Visual Encounter Survey method was used for amphibians and reptiles. Visual Encounter Surveys included active searching at day and night, D-netting for tadpoles, and acoustic surveys at night. In addition, an experienced herpetologist identified suitable habitats and searched for certain herpetofauna associated with those habitats.

Avifauna: The Visual Encounter Survey strategy was utilised for compiling the avifauna species list. Visual Encounter Surveys included the observations of scats, regurgitated pellets, nests, feathers, bird calls and birds in flight.

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Medium to large sized mammals: “Scats, tracks and traces” observations for terrestrial vertebrates using observations along paths and when walking through the site were noted. The recording of opportunistic sightings was also utilised. In addition, locals were interviewed about the presence or absence of mammals in the project area both currently and historically.

2.3 Detailed description of sampling methods

2.3.1 Site visit

A wet season site visit was carried out from 15-27 March 2013, a dry season survey was carried out from 12-20 September 2013 and a second wet season survey of haul road 6 was carried out from the 10-16 March 2014 During these site visits drive through surveys were made along each of the haul road options in order to establish habitat diversity and condition. An additional road was added after the initial three surveys were completed – Haul Road 7. The haul road option 7 was assessed and added to this report using a combination of a desktop analysis (the majority of this route follows the same route as haul road option 6) and photographs and descriptions collected by an aquatic ecologist who surveyed the area. The authors are confident in their assessment of this route based on the descriptions provided along with the knowledge gathered during the last three site surveys.

2.3.2 Species of Conservation Concern

Species of Conservation Concern (SCC) in terms of the project area are defined as:

 Threatened species:  Species included in other international lists (e.g., 2012 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals).  Definitions include:  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.  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, 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.

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 Sensitive species: Species not falling in the categories above but listed in:  Appendix I or II of the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES1).  Appendix I lists species that are the most endangered among CITES-listed animals and plants  Appendix II lists species that are not necessarily now threatened with extinction but that may become so unless trade is closely controlled.  Endemic species: Species endemic to the Tete Province or Mozambique in general.

2.3.3 Habitat mapping

Habitats were mapped using visual interpretation of patterns (and photo signatures) from a satellite image, and were related to data gathered on the ground. Ancillary data in the form of a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and a geology map was also used in some instances to help differentiate between vegetation types.

1 http://www.cites.org/

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3. BIOPHYSICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AREA

This chapter describes the physical setting of the project area, but does not touch on the terrestrial fauna which is described in detail in the ensuing chapters.

3.1 Location and general description of the site

The study area is located in Tete Province of Mozambique, more specifically in the Chiuta and Moatize districts; approximately 45 km north-northeast of the town of Tete (refer to Figures 1.1 – 1.3).

Tete Province is dominated by the upper valley of the Zambezi River and by the reservoir of the Cahora Bassa Dam. The valley is hot and supports semi-arid woodland and savanna. The land rises to a plateau in the north which supports Brachystegia woodland.

The region in which the Tenge-Ruoni project is located, is sparsely populated, Tenge Makodwe is the closest human settlement in the area. The project area is situated just south of the Tete plateau, and is predominantly covered by open to dense mixed Zambezian woodlands as well as mopane (Colophospermum mopane) woodland. The Revuboe River runs through the site.

3.2 Regional Overview

Development often has an influence on the environment, which stretches beyond the boundaries of the actual footprint. These influences have the potential to lower the opportunities for other land users on both a regional and local scale, if not effectively managed or considered prior to the onset of a development. Therefore, an environmental overview is provided on a regional scale to highlight the existing environmental potential in the region of the proposed development.

3.2.1 Geology and soils

The geology of the region is characterised by rocks of the Tete Suite, which forms a 6000km2 plateau and stretches approximately 150 km from near Estima in the west, across the Zambezi River, and almost to the border with Malawi in the east. The maximum width of the plateau from north to south is 60 km.

The plateau surface is covered by blocks and boulders, and the most common rock types are gabbro, leucogabbro and norite; types of igneous rocks that form when magma under the earth’s surface is trapped and cools. The project area consists mainly of plutonic type Mesoproterozoic geology which consists of Gabbros and subordinate anorthosites. Sedimentary type Paleozoic geology also occurs in the area; this consists of Sandstones, marl, argillite and coal seams (Figure 3.1).

Two international soil groups are present within the study area, namely vertisols and calcisols. Vertisols covers the largest portion of the study area, the calcisols occurs along the eastern portion. Vertisols represents dark-coloured cracking and swelling clays, while calcisols represents soils with accumulation of secondary calcium carbonates. It is expected that the soils will vary in depth and texture between the plains and the hills, with the plains containing deeper, finer textured soils and the hills shallower, coarser textured soils. The hills are also sources of microclimate variation and therefore microhabitat.

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Figure 3.1: Geology of the Tete Iron Project area.

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3.2.2 Climate

(Source: http://www.climatedata.eu/climate.php?loc=mzzz0053&lang=en)

The project area is considered to have a tropical savannah climate (www.maputo.climatemps.com) receiving most of its annual 627 mm of rain in the hot summer months (November to March). April to October is typically known as the Dry season (due to the limited amounts of rainfall). Potential flooding in the area is likely to occur between December and February. Historical data shows that the average monthly rainfall is at a maximum of 167 mm in January (Figure 3.2), while rainfall levels as low as 1 mm (August) are experienced during the dry season The average number of rainy/drizzle days in a month for the period of the wet season is approximately 10.5 days (www.myweather2.com). Monthly rainfall for the year 2013 varied between 61 mm and 285 mm for the wet season and between 0 mm and 148 mm for the dry season. There are no distinctive hot and cold months in Tete as temperatures average 27 o C throughout the year. October and November are generally the warmest months with average maximum temperatures of 36o C. In contrast, the coolest months occur between June and August with an average minimum temperature of 18o C. Humidity is highest during the summer months (approximately 68%) and lowest during the cooler months (approximately 47%). The project site does not experience high wind speeds although when the wind does blow it is in a south-easterly direction.

Figure 3.2: Historical mean monthly rainfall in Tete between 1978 and 2013 (Data from National Institute of Meteorology Provincial Delegation of Meteorology of Tete)

3.2.3 Topography

The study area occurs within the 250 to 400 meter altitude range (refer to Figure 1.2 and 3.3); with most of the study area representing plains (slopes < 5°). Large hills (outcrops) are limited in their distribution within the study area. In the northern section of the project area; three hills occur, namely, Tenge (400m asl), Ruoni South (342m asl) and Ruoni North (338m asl).

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3.2.4 Hydrology

The focal river associated with the study area is that of the Revuboe River, which drains southwards through the local area of influence (refer to Figures 1.2 and 3.3Error! Reference source not found.). The Revuboe River is a large, perennial, low gradient, mature system with flood plain reaches. Two smaller drainage lines channel eastwards into the Revuboe River, with the Nhambia River being the largest of the associated drainage lines (Figure 3.3). Well drained soils, in association with heavy storms and high flood events, results in a network of seasonal tributaries flowing into the Revuboe, Nhambia and Mussumbudze rivers.

The Revuboe catchment is approximately 15,540 km2 in size, rising on the north bank near Mount Domue’ on the Angonia Plateau (Beilfuss & dos Santos, 2001). This catchment falls in a high rainfall area and receives the majority of its rainfall between December and March. Heavy rainfall events may generate flood peaks of more than 2000 m3/s during wet years (Beilfuss & dos Santos, 2001). The estimated mean annual runoff from the Revuboe catchment is 95 m3/s, with the maximum mean monthly flows occurring during February and March, following the period of peak rainfall over the catchment (Beilfuss, 2005). The average maximum monthly flows are greater than 725 m3/s in February, with the minimum monthly flow occurring at the end of the dry season in October (Beilfuss & dos Santos, 2001). The maximum recorded flood discharge during the period of record was 2375 m3/s with the estimated 20-year return period flood being approximately 1800 m3/s (Beilfuss & dos Santos, 2001).

3.2.5 Vegetation

The provisional checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique, records 3 932 indigenous plant taxa, of which 177 are endemic and 300 are listed as Red Data species (Da Silva et al. 2004).

The study area occurs within the Zambezian and Mopane woodlands (Figure 3.4), which transect tropical and subtropical Grassland, Savanna and Shrubland biomes. It represents one of the World Wide Fund for Nature’s terrestrial ecoregions. This ecoregion is described as follows:

”Zambezian and Mopane Woodlands are dispersed throughout southern Africa, bounded by the Luangwa River in the north and the Pongola River in the south. Mopane tree (Colophospermum mopane) woodlands mix with Zambezian woodlands in lower-elevation areas, often along major river valleys.”

The flora of the Zambezian and Mopane Woodlands ecoregion is not characterized by high species diversity throughout its range. While greater plant diversity may occur in the Zambezian woodland component of the ecoregion, the mopane tree characterizes the entire ecoregion, and in many places dominates to the exclusion of other species, particularly trees (White 1983). Other important taxa in the ecoregion are the families Combretaceae and Mimosaceae, which are represented by 34 and 56 tree and shrub species respectively (Coates-Palgrave 1983).

Refer to Chapter 5 of this document for more information on vegetation and habitats of the study area.

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Figure 3.3: General topography and hydrology of the greater Project area.

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3.2.6 Fauna

The Zambezian and Mopane Woodlands ecoregion is one of the most important areas for vertebrate diversity in southern Africa, particularly for mammals (The Peace Parks Foundation 2000a, Turpie and Crowe 1994). This includes some of the most significant remaining populations of the critically endangered black rhino, the vulnerable elephant (Hilton-Taylor 2000), as well as the near threatened white rhino (Ceratotherium simum), vulnerable hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius), buffalo (Syncerus caffer), blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus), giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis), kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros), and nyala (Tragelaphus angasii) (Stuart et al. 1990).

Although large blocks of this habitat remain, in many areas natural migration routes have been restricted by man-made obstacles. These restrictions on migration have particularly affected the blue wildebeest (White 1989, Stuart et al. 1990, Huntley 1978). The majority of the southern African populations of Lichtenstein’s hartebeest (Alcelaphus lichtensteini) are contained within the Luangwa Valley, Kruger National Park, and Gonarezhou National Park (Stuart et al. 1990). Sharpe’s grysbok (Raphicerus sharpei), a little known, probably rare antelope, is well represented in this ecoregion (East 1998), where it favours dense mopane vegetation (Mills and Hess 1997). Predators are also abundant, and the full assemblage of lion (Panthera leo), cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), and leopard (Panthera pardus) is found in a number of the ecoregion’s large protected areas. The endangered wild dog (Lycaon pictus) is found in significant numbers within the protected areas of the ecoregion (Stuart et al. 1990).

Elephant browsing activity and fire are the two major natural factors shaping the vegetation and associated fauna within the Zambezian and Mopane Woodlands (White 1983, Trollope et al. 1998). Elephants crop the larger trees in savannas and woodlands, creating openings exploited by grasses, thus increasing fire frequency and intensity (Smith 1998, White 1983, Trollope et al. 1998). This interplay between fire and elephants normally results in an open, two-tiered savanna, consisting of large trees interspersed with shrubs at varying stages of growth (Trollope et al. 1998).

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Figure 3.4: WWF Ecoregions highlighting the Zambezian and Mopane Woodlands

3.2.7 Land use and human influence

The poor agricultural potential of the region means that the majority of habitats are still relatively

Coastal & Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd 15 Baobab Resources (Pty) Ltd Terrestrial Fauna Baseline Report – December 2014 intact (Huntley 1978). Aside from the southeastern portion of the ecoregion in South Africa and Swaziland, the majority of Zambezian and Mopane Woodlands occur in areas of low human population density (The Peace Parks Foundation 2000a, Murphree 1990).

The most widespread threat to the ecoregion is poaching and exploitation of wildlife (Stuart et al. 1990). Black rhino and wild dog are species of special concern. Black rhinos are still threatened by demands for rhino horn products and wild dogs are often destroyed by livestock farmers, who perceive them as pests (Stuart et al. 1990). In many areas of the ecoregion, poaching is rife due to poor levels of protection provided by understaffed local authorities, particularly in Zambia and Mozambique (IUCN 1992). However, great efforts have been made in the past few years to rejuvenate and expand many of Mozambique’s protected areas (The Peace Parks Foundation 2000a), so an improvement in the quality of wildlife protection is likely.

Land transformation and degradation through agriculture, settlement and livestock grazing poses some threat to the Ecoregion (Els 1996) and where large-scale agricultural plans have been introduced (Peel & Stalmans 1999).The Zambezi Valley portion of the ecoregion in Mozambique may also be at risk from the steady influx of people and development as stability returns following the civil war. Illegal livestock grazing, settlement in protected areas, and uncontrolled bush fires are all threats to the ecoregion (IUCN 1992), as well as the overuse of natural resources exacerbated by declining economies (NESDA 2000).

Invasive alien plants are posing an increasing threat to the ecoregion. Among the more prolific invaders are the shrub and tree species Lantana camara and Melia azederach, cactii of the genus Opuntia, and the water weeds Salvinia molesta and Eichornia crassipes. Invasive plants are supplanting indigenous vegetation and destroying faunal habitats, as well as altering hydrological and nutrient cycles (IUCN 1997/1998).

3.3 Protected Areas

The Zambezian and Mopane Woodlands enjoy a healthy conservation status. The abundance of wildlife can be largely attributed to the high level of protection in the ecoregion, in which more than 45 percent of the habitat is devoted to various forms of state and private conservation (refer to Figure 3.4 and 3.5). Two cross-border conservation efforts are set to further increase the extent of protected lands in the near future.

The agricultural marginality of the Zambezian and Mopane Woodlands and the large attendant mammal populations has encouraged the establishment of an extensive protected area network in the ecoregion (Huntley 1978). Government conservation areas protect over 40 percent of the ecoregion with private game ranches, nature reserves and conservancies in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana adding a further 5 to 10 percent to the total area conserved. The most significant national parks are Kruger in South Africa, Gonarezhou in Zimbabwe, and Banhine, Gorongosa, and Zinave National Parks in Mozambique. These parks cover much of the large southeastern portion of the Ecoregion (Figure 3.4).”

Figure 3.5 indicates the protected area network within Mozambique. The Tete region does not have any protected areas.

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Figure 3.5: Protected areas within Mozambique

Coastal & Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd 17 Baobab Resources (Pty) Ltd Terrestrial Fauna Baseline Report –December 2014 4. RESULT OF THE VERTEBRATE FAUNAL SURVEYS

4.1 Introduction

Mozambique has a large diversity of herpetofauna due to the variety of different habitat types available and the large size (area) of the country. While there are no formal publications that explicitly deal with this topic, reputable internet sources indicate that 215 reptile (The Reptile Database 2013) and 69 amphibian species (Amphibiaweb 2013) are expected to occur in the whole of Mozambique. This is no doubt an underestimation of the actual diversity due to under- sampling in many of the remote areas of Mozambique, especially the northern parts of that country (Nampula, Niassa and Cabo Degabo provinces). Recently Broadley and Farooq (2013) reported the first record of Usambara Vine Snake (Thelotornis usambaricus) for Mozambique, Verburgt and Broadley (In press) described a new species of Limbless Skink (Scolecoseps sp. nov) from northern Mozambique, Portik et al. (2013) described a new species of Dwarf Gecko (Lygodactulys regulus) from Mt Namuli, and Tolley et al. (2013 In Prep) described many new species of Stumptail Chameleons (Rhampholeon sp. nov) from northern Mozambique.

A diverse avifauna occurs in Mozambique; there are more than 680 bird species. Although a few birds are commensal, rapidly and successfully adapting to modified environments, the majority of birds are sensitive to disturbance and either migrate away from, or suffer greater mortality within, degraded habitats. However, because of their high mobility, birds are capable of rapidly recolonizing rehabilitated habitats (CES 2000). No recent review of Mozambique birds exists, but IUCN (2012) and Birdlife International (2008) cover Mozambique in their data. According to Birdlife International (2008), the project area is not situated in an Important Bird Area (IBA).

Approximately 238 mammal species occur in Mozambique (IUCN 2012). The mammal fauna of Mozambique was last reviewed by Smithers and Tello (1976). Although mammal endemicity in southern Africa is high (42%), this is not the situation in Mozambique where endemicity is very low and the fauna are mainly transitional between that of the East African coastal belt and the Cape temperate region.

It is evident from the overview, that the study area has experienced limited human influence, especially within the vicinity of the prospecting area. Therefore the study area is still intact with a high level of connectivity with regards to fauna. However, during the site visit completed in March 2013 hardly any large vertebrate activity was observed, but during the September 2013 survey there were large mammal sightings. Seven Impala (Aepyceros melampus) and two separate Sharp’s grysbok (Raphicerus sharpie) were seen in the Mopane, but the game was very flighty and only seen at a distance. Several piles of fresh elephant droppings were also observed on a side road off Haul Road 2. It is reported that there are conflicts between elephants and people living in the area, with elephant invading villages and mashambas. The flighty and nervous temprement of the game animals is attributed to the influence of the civil war experienced in Mozambique where game was hunted for food rations (Hatton et al. 2001). There is no formal conservation area in Tete province (refer to Figure 3.5) and therefore there is potential to establish wildlife sanctuaries and to re-introduce species.

4.2 Amphibians

4.2.1 Regional overview of Amphibians Amphibians are important in wetland systems, particularly where fish are excluded or are of minor importance. In these habitats, frogs are dominant predators of invertebrates, many of which are disease vectors for malaria and bilharzia. Reports of declining amphibian populations continue to increase globally, even in pristine protected parks. These declines are not simple cyclic events; frogs, for example, are considered bio-indicator species that reflect the wellbeing of aquatic ecosystems (Poynton and Broadley 1991). Recent reviews (Poynton and Broadley 1985-1991) recognise 53 frog species in Mozambique, 30 of which are recorded from the lower Zambezi Region, whilst another eight species may also occur (Appendix 1). Despite this relatively high

Coastal & Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd 18 Baobab Resources (Pty) Ltd Terrestrial Fauna Baseline Report –December 2014 diversity, there are no endemic amphibians currently recorded from Mozambique, although more detailed faunal surveys in the relatively little known regions of the country, particularly montane isolates, are likely to reveal overlooked, unique species. Several species with restricted ranges do occur in Mozambique, but all extend into adjacent regions.

4.2.2 Recorded Amphibians species from the project area

During the wet and dry season survey a total of 15 species (13 wet season and 11 dry season and one during the assessment of haul road 6) out of a potential 41 species were recorded for the project site, including most of the characteristic species of wetlands in the lower Zambezi region (Appendix 1) (see Plate 4.1 & 4.2).

A. Snoring Leaf-folding Frog (Hyperolius B. Painted Reed Frog (Hyperolius m. crotalus) taeniatus)

C. Mozambique Ridged Frog (Ptychadena D. Common River Frog (Amietia quecketti) mossambica)

E. Guttural Toad (Amietophrynus gutturalis) F. Dwarf Bullfrog (Pyxicephalus edulis) Plate 4.1: An array of amphibians which were recorded during the wet season site visit (Photos: W.R. Branch)

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A. Snoring Leaf-folding Frog (Hyperolius crotalus) B. Painted Reed Frog (Hyperolius m. taeniatus)

C. Sharp-nose Ridged Frog (Ptychadena oxyrhynchus) D.Eastern Puddle Frog (Phrynobatrachus acridoides)

E.Common Squeaker (Arthroleptis stenodactylus) F.Flat-backed Toad (Amietophrynus maculatus) Plate 4.2: An array of amphibians which were recorded during the dry season site visit (Photos: W. Conradie)

4.2.3 Amphibian SCC

No amphibians in the Tete region are endemic or of conservation concern, although the Tete area is a type locality for many species including the Dwarf Bullfrog (Pyxicephalus edulis, see Plate 4.1- F). The species is at the forefront off taxonomical debate in the scientific community (Scott et al. 2012) and the sample obtained during the study will help in resolving this debate. Other species collected during the study (Afrixalus spp., Hyperolius spp., Ptychadena spp. and Phrynobatrachus spp.) will help resolving the species complexes on a genetic level and reveal cryptic taxa.

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4.2.4 Threats to Amphibians

There is no evidence of significant direct utilization of amphibians in the region, either for international trade or for food consumption. Amphibian threats are thus indirect, of which the most significant is habitat loss due to existing agricultural practises, or to future industrial developments in the region, of which the mine forms part. Increasing habitat fragmentation from land clearance or degradation resulting from agriculture or industry, can lead to secondary impacts, including road mortalities and exposure to predators as amphibians move to and from wetland breeding sites. Globally amphibians are threatened by habitat destruction, the use of herbicides and pesticides, and the runoff of fertilizer. Furthermore amphibians are declining due to the amphibian chytrid fungus (Berger et al. 1998), which feeds on animals in a weakened state of health or under pressure from biotic or abiotic factors.

4.3 Reptiles

4.3.1 Regional overview of Reptiles

With the exception of land tortoises all terrestrial reptiles are carnivorous, although some larger lizards do supplement their diet with vegetable matter in certain seasons. Reptiles therefore play an important role in nutrient cycling within ecosystems and in the population control of their prey which often include common pest species.

The Mozambique reptile fauna was last reviewed in 1982, and remains poorly known. Approximately 160-180 reptile species occur in Mozambique; endemicity is low (11-12 species) and mostly associated with offshore islands. According to Broadley and Howell (2000), the coastal forests of northern Mozambique between the Rovuma and Zambezi Rivers remain largely unexplored and urgently need investigation as there may be further species remaining to be discovered. MICOA (1998) provides a reptile list of possible species which may occur in Mozambique which are listed in the South African Red Data Book, but this list is dated, and many of the species are mentioned to occur in Southern Mozambique. Compilation of published literature indicates that at least 82 species occur in the Tete region, with a further eight species possibly present (Appendix 2).

4.3.2 Recorded Reptile species from the project area

A total of 29 (21 dry and 21 wet season) out of a potential 82 reptile species that occur in the Lower Zambezi region have been recorded for the whole of the project area (see Appendix 2). A further four large and conspicuous species (Southern Rock Python, Python natalensis; Spotted bush snake, Philothamnus semivariegatus; Mozambique spitting cobra, Naja mossambica; and Puff adder, Bitis arietans) and a Spotted Bark Snake (Hemirhagerrhis nototaenia) were reported by local residents to be present on the mine site. This brings the total confirmed species at the study site up to 34 species. Most reptiles documented on site were conspicuous diurnal lizards, with relatively few snakes observed or captured. Although snakes form the dominant component of reptile diversity in the region, they are mainly small, cryptic and nocturnal and therefore easily overlooked. Numerous additional snakes (15+) are likely to be present in the region and on site.

One snake of scientific interest was collected during the wet season survey; the Lined Shovel- snout (Prosymna lineata) is known from Zimbabwe, extending into adjacent Botswana and South Africa, and with a single record from central Mozambique (Broadley 1980). The range of P. lineata is more or less restricted to Acacia savannah. The Tete specimen has an unusual colour pattern for the species and occurs in a different habitat from putative conspecifics. It may thus represent a taxonomic novelty that needs further study. The tropical girdled lizard (Cordylus tropidosternum) is at the southern edge of it range. Many samples collected during the survey will help resolving species complex and reveal cryptic taxa (eg. Panaspis spp. and Agama spp.)

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A. Variable Skink (Trachylepis varia) B. Wahlberg’s Snake-eyed Skink (Panaspis wahlbergi)

C. Tropical Girdled Lizard (Cordylus D. Speckled-lipped Gecko (Pachydactylus punctatus) tropidosternum)

E. Lined Shovel-snout Snake (Prosymna cf. F. White-lipped Snake (Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia) lineata)

Plate 4.3: An array of reptiles which were recorded during the wet season site visit (Photos: W.R. Branch)

4.3.3 Reptile SCC

Five reptile species of special concern (Tropical Girdled Lizard (Cordylus tropidosternum see Plate 4.3-C), Rock Monitor Lizard (Varanus albigularis see Plate 4.5 below), Water Monitor (Varanus niloticus), Nile Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) and Flap-necked Chameleon (Chamaeleo dilepis)) were recorded during the survey (see Table 4.1 and Appendix 2), all are listed by CITES Appendix II.

Only one Mozambique reptile (the Zambezi soft-shelled terrapin, Cycloderma frenatum) is listed as `Near Threatened' by the IUCN (2012) and is also on the Mozambique list of protected species (DNFFB, 2002), but no suitable habitat for the species occurs in region. Furthermore the Southern African Python (Python natalensis) which is also a protected species in Mozambique (DNFFB, 2002) and is listed on CITES Appendix II, occurs in the region. Three tortoises species (Kinixys zombensis, K. spekii and Stigmochelys pardalis) which will also occur in the region, are involved in

Coastal & Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd 22 Baobab Resources (Pty) Ltd Terrestrial Fauna Baseline Report –December 2014 international trade and are listed on CITES Appendix II, that controls and documents their numbers in international commerce. It is highly likely most of these species will occur in the area, but are usually consumed as food.

A. Beaked Snake (Rhamphiophis rostratus) B. Turner’s Thick-toed Gecko (Chondrodactylus turneri)

C. Zambezi Thick-toed Gecko (Elasmodactylus D. Tropical House Gecko (Hemidactylus mabouia) tetensis)

E. Mozambique Agama (Agama mossambica) F. Ground Agama (Agama armata) Plate 4.4: An array of reptiles which were recorded during the dry season site visit (Photos: W. Conradie)

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Plate 4.5: Rock Monitor (V. albigularis) unearthed at Tenge Hill during construction. Listed by Cites Appendix II.

Endemicity in Mozambique reptiles is surprisingly low, with only approximately 14 taxa endemic to the country, most being associated with isolated populations on the various offshore islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago. Three new endemic species have recently been described from isolated montane habitats in northern Mozambique (Branch & Bayliss 2009, Branch & Tolley 2010, Portik et al. 2013), indicating that additional taxonomic novelties may await description on other components of the Great Inselberg Archipelago.

Table 4.1: Reptile species of SCC likely to be encountered in the project area and surrounds. Full Name Scientific Name IUCN DNFFB CITES Recorded Zambezi Soft-shelled Terrapin Cycloderma frenatum NT Y Southern African Python Python natalensis Y 2 R Flap-necked Chameleon Chamaeleo dilepis 2 Y Tropical Girdled Lizard Cordylus tropidosternum 2 Y Nile Crocodile Crocodylus niloticus 2 Y Spek’s Hingeback Tortoise Kinixys spekii 2 Southern Hingeback Tortoise Kinixys zombensis 2 Leopard Tortoise Stigmochelys pardalis 2 Rock Monitor Varanus albigularis 2 Y Water Monitor Varanus niloticus 2 Y Totals 10 1 2 9 5

4.3.4 Threats to Reptiles

As with amphibians, there is no evidence of significant direct utilization of reptiles in the region, for international trade. However, all snakes are treated as dangerous and are usually killed on discovery by local inhabitants; this is despite the majority of snakes in the region being non- venomous and thus harmless. Interviews with local people and mine personnel confirmed that snakebite in the region was rare, and usually non-fatal (albeit with pain and occasional morbidity). Photographs received by mine personnel at Tenge camp showed a Southern Rock Python (Python natalensis) and Rock Monitor (Varanus albigularis) that have been killed in the project site (Plate 4.5 & 4.6). Both species are listed as CITES Appendix II and the former is also officially protected

Coastal & Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd 24 Baobab Resources (Pty) Ltd Terrestrial Fauna Baseline Report –December 2014 in Mozambique (DNFFB, 2002). No tortoises were observed in the wild during the survey, although an adult leopard tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis) was offered for sale by local villagers. It was refused, but was not released as it was retained by its captors for eating. Tortoises are known to be readily collected for food by local communities (Lindsey & Bento 2012), and their numbers may be very low or even extirpated due to local consumption.

The most significant threats to reptiles are indirect, and result mainly from habitat loss due to existing agricultural practises. Proposed industrial developments in the region will compound this threat, especially from the resulting habitat fragmentation that leads to elevated mortality from road traffic and exposure to predators as reptiles (particularly snakes and monitors) move over the landscape across more exposed areas.

Plate 4.6: Rock Monitor (V. albigularis) and Southern Rock Python (P. natalensis) killed at Tenge camp. Both species list as CITES Appendix II and the former is also officially protected by Mozambique law (DNFFB, 2002).

4.4 Birds

4.4.1 Regional overview

Mozambique is largely unexplored in terms of its avifaunal diversity although it is well received internationally as a fascinating and very rewarding “birding” destination (Cohen et al., 2006). The country holds more than 680 bird species of which 530 species breed in Mozambique. This estimate is probably outdated and a gross underestimation since Lepage (2013) makes mention of an astonishing 737 species (including vagrants and "accidentals"). Despite the contradictory richness values, Mozambique is a country that stimulates vast scientific interest for its high bird diversity (Parker, 2001; MICOA, 2009). However, being a sizeable country, it is surprising that Mozambique only has one “true” endemic bird species, namely the Namuli Apalis (Apalis lynesi), which occurs in northern Mozambique on Mounts Namuli and Mabu (Parker, 2001; Sinclair & Ryan, 2010).

Parker (2005) surveyed central Mozambique from 1999-2003, paying special attention to ornithologically poorly-known regions. He recorded 583 species in the region, including 47 species previously unrecorded, and 19 species new to Mozambique. This included at least 40 birds associated with either coastal habitats or large water bodies, that are absent from the project area.

From a conservation perspective, Mozambique sustains a remarkable number of range-restricted species, in particular forest birds. Many of these species are near-endemic to the country and confined to three Endemic Bird Areas (EBA), which are shared with Zimbabwe, Malawi and South Africa.

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These EBAs are located on the: (1) South-east African coast with species such as Rudd’s Apalis, Neergaard’s Sunbird, Pink-throated Twinspot and Lemon-breasted Canary; (2) the Eastern Zimbabwean highlands which holds Swynnerton’s Robin; and (3) the Tanzanian-Malawi mountains where one can find Thyolo Alethe, Dappled Mountain Robin and Long-billed Forest Warbler. Furthermore, the country has 30 species with Afro-temperate (highland) affinities and 25 species are found only along the East African coastal littoral. Another 26 species are restricted to the, the tall Mopane and Brachystegia woodlands (Parker, 2001).

The Zambezi River is a prominent and characteristic landmark in the Tete Province, and is bordered by Zambezian and Mopane woodlands (the latter often forming mono-specific stands of Colophospermum mopane). On the higher-lying areas in the north of the province, these woodland types give way to tall Brachystegia woodland or Miombo. The presence of Miombo is accountable for many biome-restricted species that are confined to the Zambezian Centre of Endemism as defined by White (1983).

Typical species confined to the riparian woodlands and dense alluvial vegetation along the Zambezi River are the Dickinson’s Kestrel, Lilian’s Lovebird and Meve’s Starling, while the Mopane woodlands are home numerous species including white-browed sparrow weaver, Cape turtle dove, white-crested helmetshrike, emerald-spotted wood dove, red-billed hornbill Racket-tailed Roller, Arnott’s Chat and fork-tailed drongo. In mixed broadleaf woodland the common birds include: Cape turtle dove, dark-capped bulbul, tawny-flanked prinia, and blue waxbill (Parker 2005). It is also worth mentioning that the Miombo (Brachystegia) woodlands at Furancungo (located north of the study area) are one of a few localities in Africa that provide habitat for the globally near- threatened Stierling’s Woodpecker (Dendropicos stierlingi).

The Tete province includes two Important Bird Areas (IBA), namely: (1) the headwaters of the Cahora Bassa Dam (MZ013) and (2) the Furancungo woodlands (MZ012) – both support a high richness of species with Zambezian affinities (Parker, 2001). The former IBA is approximately 360 km west from the proposed Tengi-Ruoni prospect area, while the latter is 90 km north.

4.4.2 Recorded Bird species from the project area

Of the possible 435 bird species which may occur in the study area, a total of 152 bird species were recorded during the two surveys of which 123 were observed during the wet season survey (March) and 103 observed during the dry season (September). There were 74 bird species which were recorded during both the wet and dry season surveys (see Appendix 3).

The difference in the species of birds observed during the two seasons is explained by many of the species being either palaearctic or intra-africa migrants. For example, all of the cuckoo species observed during the wet season would have flown north by September and they were not expected to be seen during the dry season survey. Other species such as the Carmine Bee-Eaters only come to the Zambezi Valley and associated areas to breed during September to November and would not be seen during the wet season.

The total number of birds recorded was somewhat low for this region, however, it is likely that this is again a reflection of the seasonal movements and most migrant birds had already migrated northwards during the time of the wet season survey. September is expected to show a lower diversity of bird species compared to the wet season and hence the lower number of bird species recorded at that time. Most of the birds which were recorded represented typical resident woodland Zambezian and mopane woodland species; and of the 74 birds recorded during both seasons most were representatives of this habitat type. Typical species included: African grey hornbill, grey go- away-bird, red-faced mousebird, African golden oriole, black-backed puffback, black-crowned tchagra, spotted flycatcher, neddicky, tawny-flanked prinia, flappet lark, orange-winged pytilia, eastern and broad-tailed paradise-whydah, and golden-breasted bunting. The Euplectes species were also well represented in this habitat as well as the grassy areas near rivers, these included: black-winged bishop, yellow bishop, white-winged widowbird and red-collared widowbird. However

Coastal & Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd 26 Baobab Resources (Pty) Ltd Terrestrial Fauna Baseline Report –December 2014 during the dry season many of these birds lose their breeding plumage which makes them more difficult to identify at that time of year.

Certain species preferred the closed Zambezian undifferentiated woodland habitats, these included: crowned hornbill, trumpeter hornbill, green woodhoopoe, black cuckoo, purple-crested turaco, African paradise-flycatcher, white helmet-shrike, Retz's helmet-shrike, white-browed scrub- robin, terrestrial brownbul, eastern nicator and grey-backed camaroptera. Lesser seedcracker (Pyrenestes minor) was also observed, which is a range extension for the area, having previously only been recorded in central Mozambique south of the Zambezi River on the coastal plain (Parker 2005).

Typical bird species found within the Riparian corridors (riparian forest) included: black-collared barbet, pied kingfisher, little bee-eater, Klaas's cuckoo, Senegal coucal, Meyer's parrot, African green-pigeon, Livingstone's flycatcher, tropical boubou, orange-breasted bush-shrike and the ever present dark-capped bulbul.

Apart from the riparian forests, the hydrophilic grasslands and reed beds along the rivers inhabited among others: hamerkop, red-faced cisticola, copper sunbird, African pied wagtail, southern brown-throated weaver, village weaver, red-billed firefinch, blue waxbill, bronze mannikin as well as yellow-fronted canary.

Certain guilds of birds, common in uninhabited regions, were absent or very rare in the study area. These included: ducks, geese and teals; bustards and cranes; plovers and lapwings; vultures; cormorants and egrets; ibis’, and thrushes. Their absence is best explained by a long history of subsistence hunting targeting larger birds for food. In addition, increased fire regimes in floodplain habitats when hunting cane rats or preparing grazing for cattle can also lead to local extinctions of ground-roosting birds and their breeding sites. Many secretive birds of dense wetland vegetation, e.g. crakes, rails and fluff tails, were probably overlooked.

It must also be noted that domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) occur in the villages of the region.

4.4.3 Birds SCC

There was only one bird species which is considered threatened by the IUCN recorded on site; a Martial Eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus) was recorded during the dry season survey in September 2013. In addition, another 14 CITES listed species were recorded, while a further 61 bird SCC may occur on site. The recorded SCC include mainly the Falconiformes species (e.g. eagles, buzzards, goshawks, sparrowhawks etc), and Strigiformes species (owls). The Tauraco species also fall under CITES; the purple-crested turaco was observed on site.

Table 4.1 lists all possible and recorded bird SCC for the project area.

Table 4.1 All possible and recorded bird SCC for the project area. Species Common Name Category CITES Possible Recorded Balearica regulorum Grey Crowned-crane EN ii 1

Necrosyrtes monachus Hooded Vulture EN ii 1

Gyps africanus White-backed Vulture EN ii 1

Bugeranus carunculatus Wattled Crane VU ii 1

Torgos tracheliotos Lappet-faced Vulture VU ii 1

Trigonoceps occipitalis White-headed Vulture VU ii 1

Sagittarius serpentarius Secretarybird VU ii 1

Southern Ground- Bucorvus leadbeateri VU 1 hornbill

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Species Common Name Category CITES Possible Recorded Terathopius ecaudatus Bateleur NT ii 1

Circus macrourus Pallid Harrier NT ii 1

Polemaetus bellicosus Martial Eagle NT ii 1 1 Stephanoaetus African Crowned Eagle NT ii 1 coronatus Falco vespertinus Red-footed Falcon NT ii 1

Falco concolor Sooty Falcon NT ii 1

Coracias garrulus European Roller NT 1

Gallinago media Great Snipe NT 1

Rynchops flavirostris African Skimmer NT 1

Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon LC i 1

Tauraco Purple-crested Turaco LC ii 1 porphyreolophus Tyto alba Barn Owl LC ii 1

Tyto capensis African Grass-owl LC ii 1

Otus leucotis White-faced Scops-owl LC ii 1

Bubo africanus Spotted Eagle-owl LC ii 1

Otus senegalensis African Scops-owl LC ii 1

Bubo lacteus Giant Eagle-owl LC ii 1

Scotopelia peli Pel's Fishing-owl LC ii 1

Strix woodfordii African Wood-owl LC ii 1

Glaucidium perlatum Pearl-spotted Owlet LC ii 1

Glaucidium capense African Barred Owlet LC ii 1

Asio capensis Marsh Owl LC ii 1

Eupodotis melanogaster Black-bellied Bustard LC ii 1

Pandion haliaetus Osprey LC ii 1

Aviceda cuculoides African Cuckoo-hawk LC ii 1

European Honey- Pernis apivorus LC ii 1 buzzard Macheiramphus alcinus Bat Hawk LC ii 1

Buteo augur Augur Buzzard LC ii 1

Elanus caeruleus Black-shouldered Kite LC ii 1 1 Buteo buteo Common Buzzard LC ii 1

Haliaeetus vocifer African Fish-eagle LC ii 1

Milvus migrans Black Kite LC ii 1

Milvus aegyptus Yellow-billed Kite LC ii 1

Circaetus cinereus Brown Snake-eagle LC ii 1

Circus aeruginosus Western Marsh-harrier LC ii 1

Black-chested Snake- Circaetus pectoralis LC ii 1 eagle Circus ranivorus African Marsh-harrier LC ii 1

Circaetus cinerascens Banded Snake-eagle LC ii 1

Polyboroides typus African Harrier-hawk LC ii 1 1 Kaupifalco Lizard Buzzard LC ii 1 monogrammicus Dark Chanting- Melierax metabates LC ii 1 goshawk

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Species Common Name Category CITES Possible Recorded Melierax gabar Gabar Goshawk LC ii 1

Accipiter tachiro African Goshawk LC ii 1

Accipiter badius Shikra LC ii 1

Accipiter minullus Little Sparrowhawk LC ii 1

Accipiter ovampensis Ovambo Sparrowhawk LC ii 1

Accipiter melanoleucus Black Sparrowhawk LC ii 1

Aquila pomarina Lesser Spotted Eagle LC ii 1

Aquila rapax Tawny Eagle LC ii 1

Aquila wahlbergi Wahlberg's Eagle LC ii 1

Aquila nipalensis Steppe Eagle LC ii 1

Hieraaetus spilogaster African Hawk-eagle LC ii 1 1 Hieraaetus pennatus Booted Eagle LC ii 1

Hieraaetus ayresii Ayres's Hawk-eagle LC ii 1

Lophaetus occipitalis Long-crested Eagle LC ii 1

Falco naumanni Lesser Kestrel LC ii 1

Falco rupicolus Rock Kestrel LC ii 1

Falco dickinsoni Dickinson's Kestrel LC ii 1

Falco amurensis Amur Falcon LC ii 1

Falco subbuteo Eurasian Hobby LC ii 1

Falco cuvierii African Hobby LC ii 1

Falco biarmicus Lanner Falcon LC ii 1

Falco eleonorae Eleonora's Falcon LC ii 1

Ciconia nigra Black Stork LC ii 1

TOTALS 61 15

4.4.4 Threats to Birds

The woodlands in the project area are under anthropogenic pressures from population expansion, subsistence farming, logging, charcoal industries and coal mining operations in the region. The proposed mining operation will contribute to local deforestation by loggers and charcoaling groups by providing access through the construction of road networks. Therefore, it is important that the mining operation take the necessary management steps to help reduce the loss of (1) large tracts of intact woodland, (2) loss of sensitive habitats such as riparian areas, (3) the destruction of natural migration corridors and consequent (4) habitat fragmentation, and (5) unsustainable utilization for food of avian resources due to increased access and human activity in the region.

4.5 Mammals

4.5.1 Regional overview of Mammals

Mozambique has 238 recorded species of mammal (MICOA 2009). However, many factors contribute to the difficulty in accurately predicting local assemblages of mammal species. Mozambique is a large country with highly variable population densities and localised environmental pressures. Therefore, the habitat integrity of a given area and subsequent mammalian diversity needs to be assessed on a site-specific basis. Human impact, due to habitat loss and over-hunting, is high. Nine of 21 species of antelope occurring in the country are considered threatened, and one has become nationally extinct. Other large herbivores, such as elephant, rhino and hippopotamus, have been removed from many areas. Local subsistence hunting and habitat destruction over a long period of time has caused a loss of mammalian

Coastal & Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd 29 Baobab Resources (Pty) Ltd Terrestrial Fauna Baseline Report –December 2014 diversity and population density in many areas of Mozambique. The loss of woodland and thicket habitat, in particular, has meant that there are no refugia for game and other mammals to retreat to from hunting pressures.

Although Mozambique has a relatively rich diversity of mammalian fauna, many of the intact populations are mostly limited to conservation areas (MICOA 2009). However, the wilderness areas in the eastern and northern Tete Province are known to support viable mammalian populations, notably larger mammals such as lions and elephants (see Fusari et al. 2010; Ntumi et al. 2009). Major threats to mammal biodiversity in the region is subsistence hunting and habitat destruction as well as the impacts of uncontrolled burning, slash and burn agriculture, livestock overgrazing and uncontrolled settlements. With regards to larger mammals, many of the threatened species in Mozambique are either hunted for subsistence, are susceptible to habitat loss or are key factors in human/wildlife conflict. Subsistence use and habitat degradation are also key factors affecting the population dynamics of Red-Data small mammals in the region.

4.5.2 Recorded Mammal species from the project area

Of the possible 136 mammal species which may occur in the study area (including historical accounts but excluding domestic mammals), a total of only 13 were observed during the two surveys of which 10 mammals were observed during the wet season survey (March) and 8 observed during the dry season survey (September). There were 5 mammal species which were observed during both the wet and dry season surveys (see Appendix 4). Twenty two mammal species are reported to occur in the area, while a further 96 could possibly occur in the area. Eighteen species which occurred in the area historically may not inhabit the area anymore.

African elephant footprints and fresh (over night) droppings were observed, and locals reported that they do still occur in the area. The only other large mammals which were recorded in the study area included impala (Aepyceros melampus), Sharpe’s grysbok (Raphicerus sharpie), Suni (Neotragus moschatus) and bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) (all observed) as well as bushpig (Potamochoerus larvatus) (footprints), aardvark (Orycteropus afer) (footprints), and vervet monkey (Cercopithecus a. pygerythrus) (observed). Smaller mammals which were observed include: scrub hare (Lepus saxatilis), Smith's bush squirrel (Paraxerus cepapi), slender mongoose (Herpestes sanguinea) and banded mongoose (Mungus mungo) and four-toed elephant-shrew (Petrodromus tetradactylus). Aside from wild mammals, the domestic mammals which were observed on site include: cats (Felis catus), dogs (Canis africanis), zebu cattle (Bos sp.), pigs (Sus scrofa), and goats (Capra aegagrus).

A number of mammals not recorded during the survey are known by local people to still be present. Locals were interviewed in focus groups; regarding mammals which still occurred in the area (refer to Appendix 4). Large ungulates such as greater kudu and grey duiker were both reported to still occur in the area. Hippo, were reported to occur in the Revuboe River, and spotted hyaena were also reported to still occur in the region to the north of the study area. Yellow baboon, ground pangolin, civet, cane rats and porcupine were also all reported to still occur in the region. While many of these species are sparesly populated, locals admitted that they actively burn the base of the hills in order to capture and eat cane rats.

Of the 96 species which could possibly occur in the study area, the majority are either rodents (Rodentia), bats (Chiroptera), or shrews (Eulipotyphla). These are all small mammals which can prove to be difficult to capture and identify: bat surveys require long-term trapping, using diverse arrays and in diverse habitats to achieve meaningful coverage of the species likely to be present. These difficulties are increased by seasonal movements, usually associated with food availability. Many of the bat species which occur in the project area are wide-spread species of savannah and woodland habitats. Others are associated with rivers and other water resources, and require either caves or buildings, or in some cases riparian forest, where they can roost during the day. While no caves were observed to occur in the study area, tall trees for fruit-eating bats do occur along the rivers systems in the region.

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Although many large mammals once occurred in the region, most have been extirpated from accessible regions. Many of the species which occurred in the area historically are either even- toed ungulates (Cetartiodactyla) such as buffalo, eland, sable and roan; or carnivores (Carnivora) such as lion, cheetah, and wild dog. In most cases, these have been removed by hunters for food or to make way for cattle, or have simply moved away from the area due to disturbance or food shortages (i.e. carnivores).

4.5.3 Mammal SCC

Eight mammal SCC were identified for the study area: three of these occurred in the area during historical times but are highly unlikely to still occur; two mammal SCC could still possibly occur in the area; two were reported by locals to still occur in the area, and evidence of one was recorded, namely the African elephant (VU) (see Table 4.2).

Table 4.2: Mammals SCC which are likely to occur or have occurred within the project area. Red Scientific Name English Name List Historical Possible Reported Recorded status African Wild Lycaon pictus EN 1 Dog Acinonyx jubatus Cheetah VU 1

Panthera leo African Lion VU 1

Loxodonta africana African Elephant VU 1

Hippopotamus Common VU 1 amphibius Hippopotamus Hipposideros Striped Leaf- NT 1 vittatus nosed bat Straw-coloured Eidolon helvum NT 1 Fruit Bat Panthera pardus Leopard NT 1

Totals 3 2 2 1

The SCC are summarised below, the information was largely taken from IUCN (2012):

The African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) has disappeared from much of its former range. Population size is continuing to decline as a result of on-going habitat fragmentation, conflict with human activities, and infectious disease. Given uncertainty surrounding population estimates, and the species’ tendency to population fluctuations, the largest subpopulations might well number <250 mature individuals, thereby warranting listing as Endangered.

Historical data indicate that African wild dogs were formerly distributed throughout sub-Saharan Africa, from desert to mountain summits, and probably were absent only from lowland rainforest and the driest desert. They have disappeared from much of their former range. The species is virtually eradicated from North and West Africa, and greatly reduced in Central Africa and North- east Africa. The largest populations remain in southern Africa and the southern part of East Africa (especially Tanzania and northern Mozambique). Wild dogs would have occurred within the study region within historical times, but they are highly unlikely to occur in present times.

The known cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) population is approximately 7,500 adult animals. Cheetahs have disappeared from huge areas of their historic range. They still occur widely, but sparsely, in Africa; cheetahs have disappeared from 76% of their historic range on the continent. Southern and Eastern Africa are the species strongholds, although there has been significant range loss in parts of these regions. Current distribution in several countries remains largely unknown (Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea, Angola, Mozambique and Zambia). Although cheetah may have occurred in the

Coastal & Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd 31 Baobab Resources (Pty) Ltd Terrestrial Fauna Baseline Report –December 2014 study region, it is highly unlikely that they still do.

The African lion (Panthera leo) population has been reduced by approximately 30% over the past two decades. The causes of this reduction are primarily indiscriminate killing in defense of life and livestock, coupled with prey base depletion; these causes are unlikely to have ceased. Lions are found in most countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Most lion range is in eastern and southern Africa (77%). Current Lion status is still unknown over large parts of Africa, 7.6 million km². However, lions still occur in Tete province (Fusari et al. 2010), but it is unlikely that they will still traverse the study area.

The African Elephant (Loxodonta africana) is the largest terrestrial animal and has been the subject of considerable research, but continent-wide distribution and density estimates are difficult to obtain for any one time period. To a large extent this is due to the enormous range covered by the species as well as to the wide variety of habitats it occupies. Although large tracts of continuous elephant range remain in parts of Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, elephant distribution is becoming increasingly fragmented across the continent.

The elephant population of Mozambique has declined rapidly over the last four decades. This decline is primarily due to the impact of direct (ivory trade and tsetse control programmes) and indirect human activity (habitat fragmentation and associated factors) (Ntumi et al. 2009). Elephant spoor was recorded in the study area, and they are reported to frequent the area, especially during the dry season when they most likely use the Revuboe River as a water source.

The most recent common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) population estimates suggest that over the past 10 years there has been a 7–20% decline in populations. Although the causes of the population decline are known (exploitation and habitat loss), the threats have not ceased, nor is there evidence the threats will be removed in the near future; therefore, the species is listed as Vulnerable.

Common Hippos are found in many countries throughout sub-Saharan Africa, and were previously found in virtually all suitable habitats. They occur in rivers throughout the savanna zone of Africa, and main rivers of forest zone in Central Africa. Despite the civil strife in the 1980s and 1990s, a surprising number of hippopotamus appear to have survived in Mozambique. The species is still widely distributed and present on most river systems. Several State protected areas contain hippopotamus although only Gorongosa, with about 2,000, has a sizeable population. It is reported that hippos occur in the Revuboe River system downstream from Tenge Hill, and that they appear periodically on site.

The Striped Leaf-nosed bat (Hipposideros vittatus) is listed as Near Threatened because, although the species is still widely distributed, presumably a large proportion of the global population of this species is found as a few very large cave roosting colonies that are threatened by disturbance, habitat loss and over hunting. It is likely that the species is undergoing significant declines at these sites. This species has mainly been recorded from East Africa and southern Africa with some scattered records from West Africa and Central Africa. In East Africa the species ranges from Ethiopia and Somalia in the north, through Kenya and Tanzania to Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique. This species may occur in the project region.

The Straw-coloured Fruit Bat (Eidolon helvum) is listed as Near Threatened because this species is in significant decline because it is being seriously over-harvested for food and medicine, making the species close to qualifying for Vulnerable. This bat is broadly distributed across the lowland rainforest and savanna zones of Africa from Senegal in the west, through to South Africa in the south and Ethiopia in the east. This bat is a migratory species in parts of its range. It is reported to occur in the area.

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Leopards (Panthera pardus) have a wide range and are locally common in some parts of Africa and tropical Asia. However, they are declining in large parts of their range due to habitat loss and fragmentation, and hunting for trade and pest control. These threats may be significant enough that the species could soon qualify for Vulnerable. In sub-Saharan Africa, leopards remain widely, albeit now patchily, distributed within historical limits. Leopards still occur in the Tete Province, and it is probable that they traverse the project area, albeit as vagrants.

4.5.4 Threats to Mammals

It is directly evident that the study site has a mammal diversity and density. Although some representative habitats with structural complexity may exhibit sound small mammal assemblages, there is an obvious lack of meso and larger sized mammals, both carnivorous and herbivorous.

African feral dogs (Canis africanus) have a profound influence on larger mammals in the study area. Dogs in the area form temporary packs in order to supplement their diets. Dog packs are also used for catching game by local hunters. With increased access to the region and rising affluence of the local population, the trade in local game (bushmeat) can be expected to rise due to cultural preferences for certain meats, and to the economic value placed on livestock (Lindsey & Bento 2010). There was direct evidence of local hunting for example, a recently caught Sharpe’s grysbok (caught using a gin trap) was brought into camp and sold as supplementary meat (Plate 4.7).

Plate 4.7: Sharpe’s grysbok caught by local hunters and bought by camp staff

Goats, pigs and cattle have a clear influence on the ecosystem and various habitats on the study site. Goats and cattle have profound overgrazing and trampling effects on the vegetation and soils while pigs strongly affect wetlands (wallowing) as well as foraging effects.

The general effects of local communities have a high impact on the ecology of the study area. Subsistence hunting, habitat removal, bush-clearing and livestock all severely affect mammal assemblages throughout the region.

Coastal & Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd 33 Baobab Resources (Pty) Ltd Terrestrial Fauna Baseline Report –December 2014 5. HABITAT TYPES IN THE PROJECT AREA

The study site consists of various vegetation types and habitats. The dominant vegetation type consists of Zambezian Undifferentiated Woodland (Open and Closed), while Mopane woodland is also present. Azonal vegetation in the form of riparian areas and dambos (i.e. hydrophilic grasslands) occur near rivers and drainage lines. Figure 5.1 provides a habitat map of the study region.

5.1 Vegetation Habitats

Open Zambezian Undifferentiated Woodland occurs in the northern half of the project area and along sections of both haul road options. It is characterised by an open canopy with a distinct grass layer. Species composition is similar to the Closed Zambezian Undifferentiated Woodland described above except that the two dominant species are Diplorhynchus condylocarpon, a fire resistant shrub that can withstand repeated burning (Coates-Palgrave, 2002), and Combretum adenogonium. Other dominant species include Commpihora mossambicensis, Pterocarpus brenannii as well as other Combretum species. It is likely that this is a secondary vegetation type and that this area was once covered by the Closed Zambezian Undifferentiated Woodland. Anthropogenic pressures have resulted in the harvesting and clearing of trees in the flat, low lying areas opening up the canopy and explaining the shift from closed to open woodland.

Plate 5.1: Open Zambezian Undifferentiated Woodland

Closed Zambezian Undifferentiated Woodland is defined by the absence of miombo and mopane dominant species. It is also characterised by a higher species diversity than either Miombo or Mopane Woodland (Coates-Palgrave et. al. 2007). This vegetation type is confined to the rocky slopes of Tenge mountain, Ruoni North and Ruoni South (Figure 5.1 and Plates 5.2 & 5.3). It is characterised by a high species diversity and closed canopy compared to the Open Zambezian Undifferentiated Woodland. Dominant species include Combretum species, Commiphora mossambicensis and Pterocarpus brenannii. Diplorhyncus condylocarpon is present in disturbed areas. Colophospermum mopane seedlings (less than 1 m in height) were evident on the lower slopes of Ruoni North and Ruoni South but no fully grown trees were noted.

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Figure 5-1: Vegetation (habitat) of the Project Area

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Figure 5-2: Vegetation (habitat) of the northern sections of Haul Roads 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7.

Figure 5-3: Vegetation (habitat) of the southern sections of Haul Roads 1, 2, 4 and 5.

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Figure 5-4: Vegetation (habitat) of the northern section of Haul Road 3

Figure 5-5: Vegetation (habitat) of the southern section of Haul Road 3.

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Plate 5.2: Ruoni north with Closed Zambezian Undifferentiated Woodland on its summit

Plate 5.3: Closed Zambezian Undifferentiated Woodland

The Mopane Woodlands occur along the southern section of the project site and along sections of both haul road options and are associated with underlying sandstone of the karoo formation. The canopy of this vegetation type is dominated by Colophospermum mopane species with individuals in excess of 10 m in height (Plate 5.4). Numerous saplings and seedlings belonging to this species were noted in the understory. Other dominant species included Euclea divinorum, Grewia micrantha and Dalbergia melanoxylon.

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Plate 5.4: Mopane woodland

The Riparian Zone is entirely restricted to several metres, adjacent to rivers and streams, throughout the Baobab project area (Plate 5.5). In most cases, riparian woodland is absent or highly degraded. Where it does occur it forms dense, closed-canopy woodland which is generally restricted to the alluvial soils of the Revuboe River and its seasonal tributaries. The canopy is tall and consists of prominent emergents such as Tamarindus indica, Lecaniodiscus fraxinifolius, Sterculia appendiculata and Diospyros mespiliformis. Other species which occur include Acacia nilotica, Acacia sp., Dalbergia melanoxylon, Ficus sycamoras and Faurea saligna.

Plate 5.5: Revuboe River and riparian zone

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Reedbeds (Phragmites mauritianus) occur in dense stands along some sections of the Revuboe River (Plates 5.5 & 5.6). It is the preferred habitat for a number of specialised species such as the Lesser Swamp Warbler (Acrocephalus gracilirostris), while also providing important roosting habitat for certain dryland species (e.g. weavers, bishops, swallows).

Plate 5.6 Typical reed beds found on site

Granite outcrops generally occur on the hills in the region and are characterised by large boulders and a dense woody cover (refer to Plates 5.2 & 5.7). It provides important habitat for rupiculous (rock loving) species such as certain birds and reptile species.

Plate 5.7: Rocky outcrops typically occur on ridges amongst Closed Zambezian Undifferentiated Woodland

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Dambos occur as linear open areas of hydrophilic grasslands with rushes and sedges, which contrast with surrounding woodland, in this case the mopane woodlands (Figure 5.1 and Plate 5.8). A Dambo is essentially is a plateau wetland, which is “a seasonally waterlogged, predominantly grass-covered, depression (i.e. vlei)”. They may be substantially dry at the end of the dry season, revealing grey soils or black clays, but unlike a flooded grassland, they retain wet lines of drainage through the dry season. They are inundated (waterlogged) in the wet season but not generally above the height of the vegetation and any open water surface is usually confined to streams, rivers and small ponds or lagoons at the lowest point, generally near the centre.

Plate 5.8: A typical dambo which can be found on site.

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6. SENSITIVITY

This section defines and maps faunal habitats that are sensitive and may require conservation. Two features of conservation concern have been identified in the project area; these features are riparian zones and dambos, and steep slopes and rocky areas. Neither of these habitats is specific to the project area and both are well represented in the Tete Province.

The identification of these sensitive habitats for fauna, such as herpetofauna, and how to manage them, may help reduce the impact of the mining operations on faunal populations. The Revobue River and its associated drainage lines represent particularly sensitive habitats, especially from an amphibian and bird perspective. Similarly, the rocky ridges represent a sensitive habitat from a reptile and bird perspective.

6.2.1 Rivers and drainage lines

Riparian zones and dambos constitute features of conservation concern as they are process areas. They are essential for ecosystem functioning and process and provide niche habitats for a variety of plants and animals.

These areas are characterised by permanent, semi-permanent or seasonally inundated drainage lines and rivers, giving way to associated swampy wetlands (dambos) and riparian vegetation (forest/reeds). These wet areas show excellent grazing potential for small and larger hooved animals and may also provide excellent refugia and/or corridors for mammal species. Where the drainage lines lead into permanent rivers and associated closed forests, the overall mammal sensitivity of this habitat type is considered to be HIGH (Figure 5.7).

The vegetation of the riparian zones provide potential habitat for a unique bird composition not likely to be encountered on any of the other woodland types. Noteworthy species of the shoreline habitat include the Three-banded Plover (Charadrius tricollaris), Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucus), Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola), African Pied Wagtail (Motacilla aguimp) and Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis). This is also the only unit that provides ephemeral foraging habitat for piscivorous species such as the Reed Cormorant (Phalacrocorax africanus), Giant Kingfisher (Megaceryle maximus), Half-collared Kingfisher (Alcedo semitorquata), African Fish-eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer) and various members of the Ardeidae (herons & egrets). Reed beds are the preferred habitat for a number of specialised species such as the Lesser Swamp Warbler (Acrocephalus gracilirostris), while also providing important roosting habitat for certain dryland species (e.g. weavers, bishops, swallows).

Because the study area is situated within a relatively arid woodland environment, most amphibian species will be associated with either rivers, drainage lines or flooded pools adjacent to the river during summer for the purposes of breeding, as most amphibians require surface water for egg- laying and tadpole development. The presence of amphibians in the river/drainage lines will attract reptilian predators such as snakes, terrapins and monitor lizards who feed on this predictable and plentiful resource. Furthermore, the presence of moisture in the drainage lines leads to dense plant growth and the presence of large trees. This habitat is also ideal for lizards feeding on insects attracted to the rich plant material supply and will in turn attract snake predators. Finally, the vegetation types associated with the rivers/drainage lines (e.g. riverine forest and riverine vegetation) are in the minority and therefore represent a scarce habitat type that should, for this reason alone, be of moderate to high conservation concern. Species of conservation concern likely to occur in this habitat type are the Near-threatened Zambezi soft-shelled terrapin (Cycloderma frenatum) and the Southern rock python (Python natalensis).

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Rocky ridges and outcrops

Steep slopes and rocky areas also constitute important features for conservation concern as they provide areas that are difficult to rehabilitate and are easily affected by changes in land use, with erosion being an important impact factor.

Depending on their size and exposure, rock outcrops form specialised and ecologically sensitive habitats for some reptiles and birds, and may also form important roosting and breeding sites for cave-living bats, although no caves suitable for large bat roosts were located on the rock outcrops surveyed during this assessment. Rocky ridge habitats are a primary habitat type within the concession area and are considered to be of HIGHsensitivity as these areas provide significant refugia for faunal species, especially reptiles and small mammals (Figure 5.7).

Many lizards (e.g. geckos) are rupiculous and therefore require habitat with exposed rocks usually only found on high-lying areas such as hills and ridges. The shelter provided by exposed rocks attracts other non-rupiculous species that utilize this habitat for the provision of refugia. This is especially important in areas where only a few rocky ridges exist as these are used as migratory "stepping stones" for rupiculous (and other) species between adjacent hilly areas. The presence of lizards and the availability of refugia on rocky ridges will also attract several species of snake. Species of conservation concern likely to occur in this habitat type is the Southern rock python (Python natalensis).

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Figure 6-1: Sensitivity map of the project area

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Figure 6-2: Sensitivity map of the northern sections of Haul Roads 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7.

Figure 6-3: Sensitivity map of the southern sections of Haul Roads 1, 2, 4, 5,6 and 7.

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Figure 6-4: Sensitivity map of the northern section of Haul Road 3.

Figure 6-5: Sensitivity map of the southern section of Haul Road 3.

Coastal & Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd 46 Baobab Resources (Pty) Ltd Terrestrial Fauna Baseline Report –December 2014 7. KEY FAUNAL ISSUES AND IMPACT STATEMENT

Numerous impacts affecting the surviving fauna in the proposed mine areas may arise from the construction and operational phases of the proposed mining development, as well as during decommissioning. These have been grouped into sections of issues that include a number of related impacts:

 Issue 1 - Loss and fragmentation of sensitive habitats o Impact 1: Loss and fragmentation of Zambezian and mopane woodland habitat o Impact 2: Loss of and fragmentation of Dambo and Riparian habitats o Impact 3: Loss of hills and associated rocky outcrops  Issue 2 - Loss of faunal diversity o Impact 1: Loss of Amphibian Diversity o Impact 2: Loss of Reptile Diversity o Impact 3: Loss of Bird Diversity o Impact 4: Loss of Mammal Diversity  Issue 3 - Loss of Species of Conservation Concern o Impact 1: Loss of Amphibian SCC o Impact 2: Loss of Reptile SCC o Impact 3: Loss of Bird SCC o Impact 4: Loss of Mammal SCC  Issue 4 - Disruption to faunal movements o Impact 1: Disruption of faunal movement  Issue 5 - Invasion of alien fauna o Impact 1: Invasion of alien species  Issue 6 - Increased fire risk o Impact 1: Faunal impact from increased fire risk  Issue 7 – Pollution o Impact 1: Chemical pollution o Impact 2: Light Pollution o Impact 3: Noise Pollution  Issue 8 - Dangerous animals o Impact 1: Venomous snakebite o Impact 2: Crocodile, Hippo and Elephant attacks  Issue 9 – Faunal Impacts of Power Lines o Impact 1: Loss of faunal habitats from power lines. o Impact 2: Increased bird mortality due to collision with powers lines o Impact 3: Increased bird mortality due to electrocution. o Impact 4: Increased mortality to other faunal groups on power lines. o Impact 5: Avoidance of the area by faunal groups.

7.1 Issue 1 - Loss and fragmentation of sensitive habitats The environmental impacts of the loss of habitats are evaluated in this issue. The main project action resulting in these impacts is the clearing and subsequent loss of the vegetation and abiotic habitats (particularly rock outcrops) on the sites and surrounding areas. The development of road linkages and related infrastructure, including human habitations will lead to increased human settlement and development in the area, resulting in additional secondary habitat loss and fragmentation. In most cases the loss of habitat will be permanent. Tenge Hill will be removed during the mining operation and while there is a rehabilition strategy in place to replace Tenge Hill with material from subsequent mining operations it will probably not be rehabilitated to its former prime condition.While rehabilitation of some of the area may be possible this also depends on an unpredictable change in the socio-economic status of people in the region.

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The faunal species that were observed during the three surveys, or were reported to currently exist in the project area, tended to be distributed over specific habitat types being defined as eitherZambezian and Mopane woodland, Dambo and Riparian habitats or associated rocky outcrops.

The mine development proposes to excavate the main rocky outcrop on site (e.g. Tenge Hill,), but no endemic vertebrates or species of conservation concern were found in this location.

7.1.1 Impact 1.1: Loss and fragmentation of Zambezian and mopane woodland habitat

Cause and Comment Both Open and Closed Zambezian Undifferentiated Woodland is found on the Tenge Hill mining site although the Closed Woodland has a more restricted distribution across the project site and is not found on the Haul Road options 1, 3 and 5. Mopane is found over large areas in the southern section of the project site and a small portion occurs in the northern part of the project site. In addition, this vegetation type occurs along haul road options 1, 2, 4 and 5. The Mopane is relatively intact within the project site and along the northern sections of the haul roads although there was a noticeable presence of logging teams cutting Mopane either for export to China or for use by existing coal mining and other exploratory companies in the area. The majority of the mammal and avifaunal observations came from within these habitats.

Mitigation Measures  Avoid clearing or damaging woodland habitats where possible.  Large animals such as African elephant (Loxodonta africana) do move through the project site and where possible their preferred routes should be identified so as to reduce the chances of collisions between mine vehicles and elephants, and other game also.  Ecological corridors through the woodland habitats should be part of a Conservation Management Plan, which must form part of the project’s overall ESMP. These should be in line with existing migration patterns.

Significance Statement Project Area The loss of woodland habitat due to mining activities will definitely occur and will have a severe, Permanent impact. The environmental significance of this unmitigated impact will be HIGH NEGATIVE. With mitigation measures this can be reduced to MODERATE NEGATIVE.

Haul Road 1A and 1B, and 3 The loss of woodland habitat due to mining activities will definitely occur and will have a severe, Permanent impact on sections of all the haul roads. The environmental significance of this unmitigated impact will be MODERATE NEGATIVE. With mitigation measures this impact will remain MODERATE NEGATIVE.

Haul Roads 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7 Haul roads 2, 4 5, 6 and 7 cross through woodlands at some point along their routes. However, these options do not follow existing tracks. The loss of woodland along these haul roads will definitely occur and will have a severe, Permanent impact. The environmental significance of this unmitigated impact will be HIGH NEGATIVE. With mitigation measures this impact will be reduced to MODERATE NEGATIVE.

Project Area Impact: Effect Loss of Risk or Severity of Overall Significance woodland Temporal Scale Spatial Scale Likelihood Impact habitat Without Permanent Study Area Severe Definite HIGH- Mitigation With Permanent Study Area Moderate Definite MODERATE-

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Mitigation Haul Road 1A and B Without Permanent Study Area Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation With Permanent Study Area Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Haul Road 2 and 4 Without Permanent Study Area Severe Definite HIGH- Mitigation With Permanent Study Area Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Haul Road 3 Without Permanent Study Area Severe Definite MODERATE-- Mitigation With Permanent Study Area Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Haul Road 5 Without Permanent Study Area Severe Definite HIGH- Mitigation With Permanent Study Area Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Haul Road 6 and 7 Without Permanent Study Area Severe Definite HIGH- Mitigation With Permanent Study Area Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation

7.1.2 Impact 1.2: Loss of and fragmentation of Dambo and Riparian habitats

Cause and Comment: Habitat associations of the fauna show that many species, particularly amphibians and specialist birds, occur mainly in the wetlands and grasslands associated with dambos, and the riparian habitat that exists close to Tenge Hill. Dambos form a network of habitats in the region, allowing faunal movements when undisturbed. They are the main habitat for the surviving medium-sized mammals, e.g. suni and grysbok. Loss of these habitats will lead to fragmentation and disruption of faunal movement, as well as loss of remaining faunal resources for dependent communities.

Mitigation and Management:  Avoid clearing or damaging riparian habitat, and limit river and stream crossings as far as possible. Associated infrastructure, particularly transport linkages, should avoid these areas.  Where a river crossing is required, a method statement in compliance with EMP requirements must be prepared.  Avoid indirect effect of run-off erosion and sedimentation from all project activities that may lead to loss of riparian habitats. This must be detailed in the EMP.  A minimum buffer of 50 metres from Riparian zones must be implemented where appropriate and adhered to during project layout and design.  Avoid locating project infrastructure near this habitat type;  Choosing the haul road option that has the least impact on this habitat type;  Where feasible design the haul road to avoid dambos ;  Management and monitoring of dambos and riparian habitats should be part of the Conservation Management Plan.

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Significance Statement

Project Area The loss of the riparian habitat due to mining activities will definitely occur and will have a severe, Permanent impact. The environmental significance of this unmitigated impact will be HIGH NEGATIVE. Even with mitigation measures in place this will remain a HIGH NEGATIVE.

Haul Road 1A and 1B The northern section of these haul roads go through a number of Dambos. The loss of Dambos along these haul roads will therefore definitely occur and will have a severe, Permanent impact. The environmental significance of this unmitigated impact will be HIGH NEGATIVE. Even with mitigation measures this impact will remain a HIGH NEGATIVE.

Haul Road 2 and 4 The loss of the riparian habitat due to activities such as the construction of bridges along haul roads 2 and 4 will definitely occur and will have a severe, Permanent impact. The environmental significance of this unmitigated impact will be HIGH NEGATIVE. With mitigation measures this will be reduced to MODERATE NEGATIVE.

Haul Road 3 The northern section of haul road 3 goes through a number of Dambos. The loss of Dambos along this haul road option will therefore definitely occur and will have a moderate, Permanent impact. The environmental significance of this unmitigated impact will be MODERATE NEGATIVE. Even with mitigation measures this impact remain a MODERATE NEGATIVE.

Haul Road 5 The loss of the Riparian Woodland due to activities such as the construction of bridges along haul road 5 will definitely occur and will have a severe, Permanent impact. The environmental significance of this unmitigated impact will be HIGH NEGATIVE. With mitigation measures this will be reduced to MODERATE NEGATIVE.

Haul Road 6 and 7 The loss of the Riparian Woodland due to activities such as the construction of bridges along haul roads 6 and 7 will definitely occur and will have a severe, Permanent impact. The environmental significance of this unmitigated impact will be HIGH NEGATIVE. With mitigation measures this will be reduced to MODERATE NEGATIVE.

Project Area Effect Risk or Impact Severity of Overall Significance Temporal Scale Spatial Scale Likelihood Impact Without Permanent Study Area Severe Definite HIGH- Mitigation With Permanent Study Area Severe Definite HIGH- Mitigation Haul Road 1A & 1B Without Permanent Study Area Severe Definite HIGH- Mitigation With Permanent Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Haul Road 2 and 4 Without Permanent Study Area Severe Definite HIGH- Mitigation With Permanent Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Haul Road 3 Without Permanent Study Area Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation

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With Permanent Localised Slight Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Haul Road 5 Without Permanent Study Area Severe Definite HIGH- Mitigation With Permanent Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Haul Road 6 and 7 Without Permanent Study Area Severe Definite HIGH- Mitigation With Permanent Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation

7.1.3 Impact 1.3: Loss of hills and associated rocky outcrops

Cause and Comment Depending on their size and exposure, rocky outcrops form specialised habitats for some reptiles and birds. Rocky outcrops habitats are a primary habitat type within the concession area and are considered to be of high sensitivity as these areas provide significant refugia for faunal species, especially reptiles and small mammals. Rocky outcrops are considered to be of an ecologically sensitive nature for all vertebrate groups, due to the micro-habitat potential and structural complexity of the systems.

Many lizards (e.g. geckos) are rupiculous (rock-loving) and therefore require habitat with exposed rocks usually only found on high-lying areas such as hills and ridges, in this case. The shelter provided by exposed rocks attracts other non-rupiculous species that utilize this habitat for the provision of refugia. This is especially important in areas where only a few rocky ridges exist as these are used as migratory "stepping stones" for rupiculous (and other) species between adjacent hilly areas. The presence of lizards and the availability of refugia on rocky ridges will also attract several species of snake. No caves suitable for large bat roosts were located on the rock outcrops. The mining of Tenge Hill will remove a significant faunal habitat.

Mitigation Measures  Where possible avoid clearing or damaging hills and rocky outcrops.  Where possible haul roads should not fragment these habitat types.

Significance Statement

Project Area The loss of hill and rocky outcrop habitat due to mining activities will definitely occur and will have a severe, Permanent impact. The environmental significance of this unmitigated impact will be HIGH NEGATIVE. There will be no mitigation measures in place and so will remain a HIGH NEGATIVE.

Haul Road 1A and 1B There are no significant rocky outcrops which will be impacted along these haul roads,

Haul Road 2 and 4 There are no significant rocky outcrops which will be impacted along these haul road options.

Haul Road 3 There are various sections of haul road 3 that go through small hills with associated rocky outcrops. The loss of these habitats due to the construction of roads may occur and will have a moderate, Permanent impact. The environmental significance of this unmitigated impact will be MODERATE NEGATIVE. With mitigation measures this impact will remain MODERATE NEGATIVE.

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Haul Road 5 In the southern sections of this of haul road there are several small hills with associated rocky outcrops. The loss of these habitats due to the construction of roads may occur and will have a moderate, Permanent impact. The environmental significance of this unmitigated impact will be MODERATE NEGATIVE. With mitigation measures this impact will remain MODERATE NEGATIVE.

Haul Road 6 and 7 In the southern sections of the of haul roads 6 and 7 there are several small hills with associated rocky outcrops. The loss of these habitats due to the construction of roads may occur and will have a moderate, Permanent impact. The environmental significance of this unmitigated impact will be MODERATE NEGATIVE. With mitigation measures this impact will remain MODERATE NEGATIVE.

Project Area Effect Risk or Impact Severity of Overall Significance Temporal Scale Spatial Scale Likelihood Impact Without Permanent Study Area Severe Definite HIGH- Mitigation With Permanent Study Area Severe Definite HIGH- Mitigation Haul Road 1A & 1B Without Not Applicable Mitigation With

Mitigation Haul Road 2 and 4 Without Not Applicable Mitigation Without

Mitigation Haul Road 3 Without Permanent Study Area Moderate May Occur MODERATE - Mitigation With Permanent Localised Moderate May Occur MODERATE - Mitigation Haul Road 5 Without Permanent Study Area Moderate May Occur MODERATE - Mitigation With Permanent Localised Moderate May Occur MODERATE - Mitigation Haul Road 6 and 7 Without Permanent Study Area Moderate May Occur MODERATE - Mitigation With Permanent Localised Moderate May Occur MODERATE - Mitigation

7.2 Issue 2:Loss of Faunal Diversity Due to habitat loss and mortalities directly or indirectly associated with specific project actions and operations a loss of faunal diversity will probably occur. This will vary between the vertebrate groups, depending upon their sensitivity to disturbance, the levels of existing impacts, and their dependence upon sensitive habitats.

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While there is still some significant numbers and diversity of game in the area, there is very poor protection of the faunal and floral heritage in the region. Hunting of all animals is common-place and continues to be an exploited resource, although hunting is now largely opportunistic due to resource exhaustion. This hunting pressure compounds the impact of habitat loss where many habitat fragments are already too small to maintain viable long-term populations of even medium- sized mammals. In addition wild animals, e.g. monkeys, raptors, and small carnivores, such as mongoose, genet, are often viewed as pests on livestock and crop fields and therefore killed. Predation by domestic animals (such as cats and dogs) generates an additional impact on small vertebrates in the region.

7.2.1 Impact 2.1: Loss of Amphibian Diversity

Cause and Comment: The project area contains significant regional amphibian diversity. Due to habitat loss and mortalities directly associated with specific project actions, a loss of amphibian diversity will probably occur. Amphibian mortalities will occur during all phases (construction and operational) but will be most significant in association with habitat loss, particularly of dambos and wetlands.

The most sensitive habitats for amphibians are the riparian zone and associated wetlands, either on site or downstream from mining activities.

Mitigation measures:  Avoid clearing or damaging wetlands, and limit river and stream crossings as far as possible. Associated infrastructure, particularly transport linkages, should avoid these areas, including a buffer distance of 50 m.  Wetlands must be protected and/or rehabilitated if damaged.  Maintenance of water quality (avoid pollution from mining activities) and flow dynamics.  An amphibian monitoring programme should be initiated, with sampling stations and monitoring protocols developed. Due to their biphasic life histories, most amphibians are good indicators for monitoring environmental health of both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Personnel undertaking such monitoring need to be specifically trained in the appropriate protocols.

Significance statement Project Area The removal of vegetation from Tenge Hill will definitely occur and will have a severe, Permanent impact, as some habitat will definitely be lost. Most amphibians are associated with wetlands/dambos and only move to higher laying areas when hibernating. The environmental significance of this unmitigated impact will be HIGH negative. Mitigation on Tenge Hill is limited to clearing as little vegetation during the construction and operational phases so the impact can be reduced MODERATE negative.

Haul Road 1A and 1B The northern sections of these routes contained the temporary wetlands and dambos and mining activities will have a MODERATE negative impact in the long term, as some habitat will definitely be lost and road mortality will occur. Mitigation can limit the amount and the timing of vegetation clearing but will remain MODERATE negative

Haul Roads 2 and 4 The northern sections of these routes contained the temporary wetlands and dambos and mining activities will have a MODERATE negative impact in the long term, as some habitat will definitely be lost and road mortality will occur. Mitigation can limit the amount and the timing of vegetation clearing but will remain MODERATE negative.

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Haul Road 3 This road is already established with large amounts of vegetation cleared to date and many of the amphibian species here were those that are more used to human activity. Mining activities will have a MODERATE negative impact in the long term, as some additional habitat will definitely be lost. Mitigation can limit the amount and the timing of any additional vegetation clearing but will remain MODERATE negative .

Haul Road 5 The impact on amphibians near water and rivers caused by the construction of bridges along haul road 5 will definitely occur and will have a MODERATE impact. Even mitigation measures this will remain MODERATE negative.

Haul Road 6 and 7 The impact on amphibians near water and rivers caused by the construction of bridges along haul roads 6 and 7 will definitely occur and will have a MODERATE impact. Even mitigation measures this will remain MODERATE negative.

Project Area Effect Risk or Impact Severity of Overall Significance Temporal Scale Spatial Scale Likelihood Impact Without Permanent Study Area Severe Definite HIGH - Mitigation With Permanent Study Area Moderate Definite MODERATE - Mitigation Haul Road 1A & 1B Without Long Term Study Area Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation With Long Term Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE - Mitigation Haul Road 2 and 4 Without Long Term Study Area Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation With Long Term Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE - Mitigation Haul Road 3 Without Long Term Study Area Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation With Long Term Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE - Mitigation Haul Road 5 Without Long Term Study Area Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation With Long Term Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE - Mitigation Haul Road 6 and 7 Without Long Term Study Area Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation With Long Term Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE - Mitigation

7.2.2 Impact 2.2: Loss of Reptile Diversity

Cause and Comment: The Project Area probably contains a greater diversity of reptiles than discovered during the survey. Reptile populations, particularly snakes, are difficult to study, but aquatic terrapins may be exploited for food or for the pet trade, and their populations should be monitored. Increased human numbers associated with the development of the project will lead to increased mortality of

Coastal & Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd 54 Tete Iron Ore Project Terrestrial Fauna Baseline Report –December 2014 snakes directly from road mortalities and human attitudes, as well as the loss of large numbers of other reptiles from habitat loss and fragmentation.

Mitigation measures:  Avoid clearing or damaging pristine habitats  Curtail unnecessary night driving on roads  Prohibit exploitation of sensitive reptiles, e.g. crocodiles, monitor lizards, chameleons and terrapins.  Educate staff and local villagers about the necessity of protecting snakes.  Train snake catchers to be part of the Emergency Response Team  Aquatic terrapin populations should be monitored in conjunction with the proposed amphibian monitoring program.

Significance statement Project Area The removal of vegetation and rocky outcrops from Tenge Hill will be Permanent and cause a HIGH negative impact, as some habitat will definitely be lost. Pressure on the reptile populations may also be compounded by increased human resident in the area and therefore increased persecution and exploitation. Mitigation on Tenge Hill is limited to clearing as little vegetation and rocky outcrops during the construction and operational phases so the impact can be reduced MODERATE negative. . Haul Road 1A, 1B, 2 and 4 Mining activities in the northern routes will have a HIGH negative impact in the long term, as some habitat will definitely be lost and road mortality will occur. Mitigation can limit the amount and the timing of vegetation clearing to reduce the impact to MODERATE negative.

Haul Road 3 This road is already established with large amounts of vegetation cleared to date. Mining activities will have a MODERATE negative impact in the long term, as some additional habitat will definitely be lost and road mortality will occur. Mitigation can limit the amount and the timing of any additional vegetation clearing to reduce the impact to MODERATE negative.

Haul Road 5 The impact on reptiles near water and rivers caused by the construction of bridges along haul road 5 will definitely occur and will have a HIGH impact. With mitigation measures this will be reduced to MODERATE.

Haul Road 6 and 7 The impact on reptiles near water and rivers caused by the construction of bridges along haul roads 6 and 7 will definitely occur and will have a HIGH impact. The impacts of reptiles associated with rocky outcrops along the southern sections of haul roads 6 and 7 will defiantly occur and have a HIGH impact. With mitigation measures this will be reduced to MODERATE.

Project Area Effect Risk or Impact Severity of Overall Significance Temporal Scale Spatial Scale Likelihood Impact Without Permanent Study Area Severe Definite HIGH - Mitigation With Permanent Study Area Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Haul Road 1A & 1B Without Long Term Study Area Severe Definite HIGH - Mitigation Without Long Term Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation

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Haul Road 2 and 4 Without Long Term Study Area Severe Definite HIGH - Mitigation Without Long Term Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Haul Road 3 Without Long Term Study Area Severe Definite HIGH - Mitigation Without Long Term Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Haul Road 5 Without Long Term Study Area Severe Definite HIGH - Mitigation Without Long Term Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Haul Road 6 and 7 Without Long Term Study Area Severe Definite HIGH - Mitigation With Long Term Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation

7.2.3 Impact 2.3: Loss of Bird Diversity

Cause and Comment: There was a wide diversity of birds observed representing seasonal migrants and local residents typical of the vegetative habitats found in the project area. Although the numbers of certain bird guilds (e.g. raptors, francolin and spurfowl, plovers, and dikkops) appear to be reduced due to human exploitation or persecution, the project area probably retains a diverse avian fauna. Birds play important and diverse roles in ecosystem functioning (e.g. seed dispersal and trophic transfer) and maintenance of bird diversity is important to maintain viable habitats.

Mitigation measures:

 Avoid clearing or damaging pristine habitats.  Maintain habitat connectivity, particularly to protected areas, via habitat corridors.  Where possible undertake habitat clearance during winter when birds are not breeding.  Curtail unsustainable exploitation of sensitive birds, e.g. plovers, weavers, waterfowl,

Significance statement Project Area The removal of vegetation from Tenge Hill will cause a HIGH negative impact in the long term, as some habitat will definitely be lost. Pressure on the bird populations may also be compounded by increased human resident in the area and therefore increased persecution and exploitation. Mitigation on Tenge Hill is limited to clearing as little vegetation during the construction and operational phases.

Haul Road 1A, 1B, 2 and 4 The northern sections of these routes contained the highest densities of migrant and local residents and mining activities will have a HIGH negative impact in the long term, as some habitat will definitely be lost. Mitigation can limit the amount and the timing of vegetation clearing to reduce the impact to MODERATE. .

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Haul Road 3 This road is already established with large amounts of vegetation cleared to date and many of the bird species here were those that are more used to human activity. Mining activities will have a MODERATE negative impact in the long term, as some additional habitat will definitely be lost. Mitigation can limit the amount and the timing of any additional vegetation clearing but the impact will remain MODERATE negative.

Haul Road 5, 6 and 7 The impact on birds living near water and rivers caused by the construction of bridges along haul road 5 will definitely occur and will have a severe, Permanent impact. The environmental significance of this unmitigated impact will be HIGH NEGATIVE. With mitigation measures this will be reduced to MODERATE NEGATIVE.

Project Area Effect Risk or Impact Severity of Overall Significance Temporal Scale Spatial Scale Likelihood Impact Without Long Term Study Area Severe Definite HIGH - Mitigation With Long Term Study Area Moderate Definite MODERATE - Mitigation Haul Road 1A & 1B Without Permanent Study Area Severe Definite HIGH- Mitigation Without Permanent Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE - Mitigation Haul Road 2 and 4 Without Permanent Study Area Severe Definite HIGH- Mitigation Without Permanent Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Haul Road 3 Without Permanent Study Area Severe Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Without Permanent Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Haul Road 5 Without Permanent Study Area Severe Definite HIGH- Mitigation Without Permanent Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Haul Road 6 and 7 Without Permanent Study Area Severe Definite HIGH- Mitigation With Permanent Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation

7.2.4 Impact 2.4: Loss of Mammal Diversity

Cause and Comment Despite the long history of human settlement in the area much of the vegetation remains intact and there is still evidence that large numbers of animals move through the project area or are seasonally resident for short times of the year. There is an increase in human activity, especially around the mine site which has increased the pressure on mammal species through hunting for bushmeat.

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Mitigation measures:

 Avoid clearing or damaging pristine habitats.  Maintain ecological corridors and habitat connectivity  Control winter fires in dambos, used to harvest cane rats and other small mammals.  Studies and assessments of sensitive animal populations (especially elephants) and their habitats should be incorporated into a monitoring program.  Company employees should be educated about the necessity of protecting mammals and instructed not to buy bushmeat  Management and monitoring of mammal populations should be part of a Conservation Management Plan

Significance statement Project Area The increased human activity in the area due to the mine construction and operation will cause a HIGH negative impact in the long term, as pressures on mammal population will increase due to a demand for bushmeat or through a restriction on mammal movements. Mitigation of this impact entails maintenance of habitat quality and connectivity, and reduction of unsustainable exploitation of bushmeat. This impact could be reduced to MODERATE.

Haul Road 1A, 1B, 2 and4 The northern section of these haul roads run through vegetation which has seen less human impact than further south towards the main R103 road and larger towns and villages. This is where most of the recent game sightings in the area have been made. Impacts in these areas will be HIGH negative in the long term. Mitigation could see the impacts reduced to MODERATE.

Haul Road 3 This route has more human settlement than other haul road options and a more established and used road with few mammal numbers Impacts in these areas will be MODERATE negative in the long term and may remain this way even with mitigation.

Haul Road 5 Animal populations use the rivers as corridors during the dry season so impacts along this route will be HIGH negative impact in the long term, as pressures on mammal population will increase due to a demand for bushmeat or through a restriction on mammal movements. Mitigation of this impact entails maintenance of habitat quality and connectivity, and reduction of unsustainable exploitation of bushmeat. This impact could be reduced to MODERATE.

Haul Roads 6 and 7 Animal populations use the rivers as corridors during the dry season so impacts along these routes will be HIGH negative impact in the long term, as pressures on mammal population will increase due to a demand for bushmeat or through a restriction on mammal movements. Mitigation of this impact entails maintenance of habitat quality and connectivity, and reduction of unsustainable exploitation of bushmeat. This impact could be reduced to MODERATE.

Project Area Effect Risk or Impact Severity of Overall Significance Temporal Scale Spatial Scale Likelihood Impact Without Long Term Study Area Severe Definite HIGH- Mitigation With Long Term Study Area Severe Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Haul Road 1A & 1B Without Long Term Study Area Severe Definite HIGH- Mitigation Without Long Term Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE-

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Mitigation Haul Road 2 and 4 Without Long Term Study Area Severe Definite HIGH- Mitigation Without Long Term Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Haul Road 3 Without Long Term Study Area Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Without Long Term Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Haul Road 5 Without Long Term Study Area Severe Definite HIGH- Mitigation Without Long Term Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Haul Roads 6 and 7 Without Long Term Study Area Severe Definite HIGH- Mitigation Without Long Term Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation

7.3 Issue 3: Loss of Species of Conservation Concern The expected loss of faunal diversity may involve species of special concern, that may include threatened species, species endemic to the region, those of cultural or commercial significance, or those that are particularly important for ecosystem functioning.

7.3.1 Impact 3.1: Loss of Amphibian SCC

Cause and Comment: There was no amphibian species of special concern recorded. 7.3.2 Impact 3.2: Loss of Reptile SCC Cause and Comment: Five reptile species of special concern (Tropical Girdled Lizard (Cordylus tropidosternum), Rock Monitor Lizard (Varanus albigularis), Water Monitor (Varanus niloticus), Nile Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) and Flap-necked Chameleon (Chamaeleo dilepis)) were recorded during the survey. A further four SCC occur in the area (see section 4.3)

Mitigation measures:  Avoid clearing or damaging pristine habitats.  Maintain habitat connectivity, particularly to protected areas, via habitat corridors.  Undertake habitat clearance during winter when reptiles are hibernating.  Curtail unsustainable exploitation of reptiles SSC through educational programs.  Establish detection, protection and monitoring of sensitive species, and the development of effective conservation measures as part of Conservation Management Plan.

Significance statement Project Area The removal of vegetation and rocky outcrops from Tenge Hill will be Permanent and cause a HIGH negative impact, as some habitat will definitely be lost. Pressure on the SCC reptile populations may also be compounded by increased human resident in the area and therefore increased persecution and exploitation. Mitigation on Tenge Hill is limited to clearing as little vegetation and rocky outcrops during the construction and operational phases so the impact can be reduced MODERATE negative

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Haul Road 1A, 1B, 2 and 4 Mining activities in the northern routes will have a MODERATE negative impact in the long term, as some habitat will definitely be lost an road mortality will occur. Mitigation can limit the amount and the timing of vegetation clearing to reduce the impact but will remain MODERATE negative .

Haul Road 3 This road is already established with large amounts of vegetation cleared to date. Mining activities will have a MODERATE negative impact in the long term, as some additional habitat will definitely be lost and road mortality will occur. Mitigation can limit the amount and the timing of any additional vegetation clearing to reduce the impact but will remain MODERATE negative.

Haul Road 5 The impact on reptiles near water and rivers caused by the construction of bridges along haul road 5 will definitely occur and will have a MODERATE impact. Mitigation can limit the amount and the timing of any additional vegetation clearing to reduce the impact but will remain MODERATE negative.

Haul Roads 6 and 7 The impact on reptiles near water and rivers and reptiles associated with rocky outcrops caused by the construction of bridges along haul roads 6 and 7 will definitely occur and will have a MODERATE impact. Mitigation can limit the amount and the timing of any additional vegetation clearing to reduce the impact but will remain MODERATE negative.

Project Area Effect Risk or Impact Severity of Overall Significance Temporal Scale Spatial Scale Likelihood Impact Without Long Term Study Area Severe Definite HIGH - Mitigation With Long Term Study Area Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Haul Road 1A & 1B Without Long Term Study Area Severe Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Without Long Term Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Haul Road 2 and 4 Without Long Term Study Area Severe Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Without Long Term Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Haul Road 3 Without Long Term Study Area Severe Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Without Long Term Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Haul Road 5 Without Long Term Study Area Severe Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Without Long Term Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Haul Roads 6 and 7 Without Long Term Study Area Severe Definite MODERATE- Mitigation With Long Term Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation

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7.3.3 Impact 3.3: Loss of Bird SCC

Cause and Comment: There was only one bird species which is considered threatened by the IUCN which recorded on site; a Martial Eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus) was recorded during the dry season survey in September 2013. In addition, another 14 CITES listed species were recorded, while a further 61 bird SCC may occur on site. The recorded SCC include mainly the Falconiformes species (e.g. eagles, buzzards, goshawks, sparrowhawks etc), and Strigiformes species (owls). A Tauraco species which falls under CITES was observed on site.

Mitigation measures:  Avoid clearing or damaging pristine habitats.  Maintain habitat connectivity, particularly to protected areas, via habitat corridors.  Undertake habitat clearance during winter when birds are not breeding.  Curtail unsustainable exploitation of bird SSC through educational programs  Establish detection, protection and monitoring of sensitive species, and the development of effective conservation measures as part of Conservation Management Plan

Significance statement Project Area The removal of vegetation from Tenge Hill will cause a HIGH negative impact in the long term, as some habitat will definitely be lost. Pressure on the bird populations may also be compounded by mining activity and disturbance close to the river and by increased human resident in the area and therefore increased persecution and exploitation. Mitigation on Tenge Hill is limited to clearing as little vegetation during the construction and operational phases.

Haul Road 1A, 1B, 2 and 4 The northern sections of these routes contained the highest densities of bird SSC and mining activities will have a HIGH negative impact in the long term, as some habitat will definitely be lost. Mitigation can limit the amount and the timing of vegetation clearing to reduce the impact to MODERATE. . Haul Road 3 This road is already established with large amounts of vegetation cleared to date and many of the bird species here were those that are more used to human activity with few bird SSC. Mining activities will still have a MODERATE negative impact in the long term, as some additional habitat will definitely be lost. Mitigation can limit the amount and the timing of any additional vegetation clearing but the impact wil remain MODERATE negative.

Haul Road 5 The impact on bird SSC living near water and rivers caused by the construction of bridges along haul road 5 will definitely occur and will have a severe, Permanent impact. The environmental significance of this unmitigated impact will be HIGH NEGATIVE. With mitigation measures this will be reduced to MODERATE NEGATIVE.

Haul Roads 6 and 7 The impact on bird SSC living near water and rivers caused by the construction of bridges along haul roads 6 and 7 will definitely occur and will have a severe, Permanent impact. The environmental significance of this unmitigated impact will be HIGH NEGATIVE. With mitigation measures this will be reduced to MODERATE NEGATIVE.

Project Area Effect Risk or Impact Severity of Overall Significance Temporal Scale Spatial Scale Likelihood Impact

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Without Long Term Study Area Severe Definite HIGH - Mitigation With Long Term Study Area Moderate Definite MODERATE - Mitigation Haul Road 1A & 1B Without Permanent Study Area Severe Definite HIGH- Mitigation Without Permanent Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE - Mitigation Haul Road 2 and 4 Without Permanent Study Area Severe Definite HIGH- Mitigation Without Permanent Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Haul Road 3 Without Permanent Study Area Severe Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Without Permanent Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Haul Road 5 Without Permanent Study Area Severe Definite HIGH- Mitigation Without Permanent Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Haul Roads 6 and 7 Without Permanent Study Area Severe Definite HIGH- Mitigation With Permanent Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation

7.3.4 Impact 3.4: Loss of Mammal SCC

Cause and Comment Despite the human activity in the area there is still evidence that large mammal SSCs such as African elephants (Loxodonta africana) move through the project area or are seasonally resident for short times of the year. There is an increase in human activity, especially around the mine site which has increased the pressure on mammal species through hunting for bushmeat or the additional disturbance will cause mammal SCC to avoid the area.

Mitigation measures:  Avoid clearing or damaging pristine habitats.  Maintain ecological corridors and habitat connectivity  Control winter fires in dambos, used to harvest cane rats and other small mammals.  Studies and assessments of sensitive animal populations (especially elephants) and their habitats should be incorporated into a monitoring program.  Company employees should be educated about the necessity of protecting mammals, and not to buy bushmeat or trade in mammal SCC products such as ivory.  Management and monitoring of mammal SCC should be part of Conservation Management Plan.

Significance statement Project Area The increased human activity in the area due to the mine construction and operation will cause a HIGH negative impact in the long term, and pressures on mammal SCC will restrict their movements in the area. Mitigation of this impact entails maintenance of habitat quality and connectivity, and reduction of unsustainable exploitation of bushmeat. This impact could be reduced to MODERATE.

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Haul Road 1A, 1B, 2 and 4 The northern section of these haul roads run through vegetation which has seen less human impact than further south towards the main R103 road and larger towns and villages. This is where most of the recent game sightings in the area have been made. Impacts in these areas will be HIGH negative in the long term. Mitigation could see the impacts reduced to MODERATE.

Haul Road 3 This route has more human settlement than other haul road options and a more established and used road with very limited mammal SCC numbers Impacts in these areas will be MODERATE negative in the long term but will remain MODERATE negative even with mitigation.

Haul Road 5 Animal populations use the rivers as corridors during the dry season so impacts along this route will be HIGH negative impact in the long term, as pressures on mammal SCC will increase due to a demand for bushmeat or even ivory, and through a restriction on mammal movements. Mitigation of this impact entails maintenance of habitat quality and connectivity, and reduction of unsustainable exploitation for bushmeat or ivory. This impact could be reduced to MODERATE.

Haul Roads 6 and 7 Animal populations use the rivers as corridors during the dry season so impacts along these routes will be HIGH negative impact in the long term, as pressures on mammal SCC will increase due to a demand for bushmeat or even ivory, and through a restriction on mammal movements. Mitigation of this impact entails maintenance of habitat quality and connectivity, and reduction of unsustainable exploitation for bushmeat or ivory. This impact could be reduced to MODERATE.

Project Area Effect Risk or Impact Severity of Overall Significance Temporal Scale Spatial Scale Likelihood Impact Without Long Term Study Area Severe Definite HIGH- Mitigation With Long Term Study Area Severe Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Haul Road 1A & 1B Without Long Term Study Area Severe Definite HIGH- Mitigation Without Long Term Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Haul Road 2 and 4 Without Long Term Study Area Severe Definite HIGH- Mitigation Without Long Term Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Haul Road 3 Without Long Term Study Area Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Without Long Term Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Haul Road 5 Without Long Term Study Area Severe Definite HIGH- Mitigation Without Long Term Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Haul Roads 6 and 7 Without Long Term Study Area Severe Definite HIGH- Mitigation With Long Term Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation

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7.4 Issue 4: Disruption to faunal movements Construction and operation of the project will result in regions of high disturbance, as well as generate linear developments (e.g. roads and possibly power linkages) that will disrupt faunal movements, resulting in potential higher mortality and disruptions of migratory patterns.

7.4.1 Impact 4.1: Disruption of faunal movements

Apart from direct mortality associated with habitat loss and reduction of habitat quality, habitat fragmentation can also lead to secondary effects resulting from disruption of animal movements. This can rapidly impact small, non-flying animals and disruption of gene flow can lead to loss of genotypic fitness and increased extinction potential. Habitat fragmentation may require species to make long movements between patches of suitable habitat in search of mates, breeding sites, or food. At such times they may suffer increased mortality, either directly by road vehicles, or from their natural predators due to unnatural exposure. Impacts on animal movements will be greatest in regions with high habitat fragmentation, or where linear developments transect migratory or foraging paths. Reptiles and amphibians do not undertake long distance migrations, but both groups may undertake short seasonal movements. Many snakes and large monitor lizards undertake movements between winter hibernation sites and their summer foraging areas. Amphibians are known to experience the highest levels of mortalities associated with the presence of roads among vertebrates (Glinta et al. 2007). This is mainly attributed to en masse seasonal migrations to and from their breeding sites. Some amphibians, particularly toads, are explosive breeders, and move en masse to the breeding ponds. At such times they may suffer heavy casualties whilst crossing roads. There is a significant movement of migratory birds, particularly Intra-African migrants, between forest patches and along gallery forest associated with drainage lines. Many grassland birds, such as pipits, larks and bustards, also undertake seasonal migrations between high and low altitude grasslands, generally moving to lower altitudes in the dry winter season. Palaearctic waders and raptors also migrate between their Northern Hemisphere breeding grounds and central Africa and may use, even temporarily, small wetlands and floodplains in the region.

Mitigation measures:  Development of all road linkages should employ, where possible, existing tracks and roads  Fences around the project area that curtail faunal movements should be avoided.

Significance statement Project Area This will cause a HIGH negative impact in the long term, as habitat corridors will be lost or fragmented. Mitigation by the maintenance and/or re-establishment of habitat corridors would maintain this impact as MODERATE.

All Haul Road Options The increased mine traffic will cause a HIGH negative impacts in the long term as habitat corridors will be lost or fragmented. Mitigation by the maintenance and/or re-establishment of habitat corridors would maintain this impact as MODERATE.

Project Area Effect Risk or Impact Severity of Overall Significance Temporal Scale Spatial Scale Likelihood Impact Without Long Term Study Area Severe Definite HIGH - Mitigation With Long Term Study Area Moderate Definite MODERATE - Mitigation Haul Road 1A & 1B Without Permanent Study Area Severe Definite HIGH- Mitigation

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With Permanent Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE - Mitigation Haul Road 2 and 4 Without Permanent Study Area Severe Definite HIGH- Mitigation With Permanent Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Haul Road 3 Without Permanent Study Area Severe Definite HIGH- Mitigation With Permanent Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Haul Road 5 Without Permanent Study Area Severe Definite HIGH- Mitigation With Permanent Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation Haul Roads 6 and 7 Without Permanent Study Area Severe Definite HIGH- Mitigation With Permanent Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE- Mitigation

7.5 Issue 5: Invasion of Alien Fauna

7.5.1 Impact 5.1: Invasion of alien species

Cause and Comment Linear developments and habitat fragmentation create suitable conditions for the invasion of alien species. Alien birds, such as the House Sparrow, European Starling, and Feral Pigeon, have all expanded their range in Africa and are actively expanding their ranges in association with urbanization, as have urban rodent pests such as the house mouse and brown and black rat. Alien fauna invasion may occur during all phases (construction, operational, and de- commissioning/closure) but will be most significant during the operational phase when environmental impacts are at the highest, and when movement by people and traffic to and from the area peaks. Alien species already present include house sparrows (Passer domesticus) and rodent pests (Rattus rattus, R. norvegicus, Musmus culus) in the larger villages, and domestic cats and dogs.

Mitigation measures:

 The presence of alien species, particularly problem birds such as Indian Myna and House Crow, which are not currently known from region, should be monitored.  Alien species should be eradicated as they appear.  The introduction of alien fauna, including domestic pets such as cats and dogs, should be controlled in the project area.  Hunting wild animals with domestic dogs must be banned in all sites and any protected areas developed under an offset programme.

No introduction of alien species, including fish and waterfowl, should be undertaken in association with the development of water impoundments. Should any aquaculture projects be implemented as part of the project’s social responsibility, these will need to be subject to an EIA, and designed to ensure that alien fish are prevented from entering the local, natural waterways.

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Significance statement Project Area This will cause a HIGH negative impact in the long term, as many there are currently no common alien commensal species, e.g. rodent pests and house sparrow established in the project area. Mitigation of this impact entails monitoring the appearance of alien species and extirpating them as soon as possible before meaningful populations become established. If mitigated correctly this will probably reduce this impact to LOW.

All Haul Road Options This will cause a HIGH negative impact in the long term, as many there are currently no common alien commensal species, e.g. rodent pests and house sparrow established in the project area but increased traffic along haul roads will probably cause accidental introductions. If mitigated correctly this will probably reduce this impact to LOW.

Project Area Effect Risk or Impact Severity of Overall Significance Temporal Scale Spatial Scale Likelihood Impact Without Probably Long Term Study Area Severe HIGH - Mitigation Occur With Long Term Study Area Slight May Occur LOW - Mitigation Haul Road 1A & 1B Without Probably Long Term Study Area Severe HIGH- Mitigation Occur Without Probably Long Term Localised Slight LOW - Mitigation Occur Haul Road 2 and 4 Without Probably Long Term Study Area Severe HIGH- Mitigation Occur Without Probably Long Term Localised Slight LOW - Mitigation Occur Haul Road 3 Without Probably Long Term Study Area Severe HIGH- Mitigation Occur Without Probably Long Term Localised Slight LOW - Mitigation Occur Haul Road 5 Without Probably Long Term Study Area Severe HIGH- Mitigation Occur Without Probably Long Term Localised Slight LOW - Mitigation Occur Haul Roads 6 and 7 Without Probably Long Term Study Area Severe HIGH- Mitigation Occur With Probably Long Term Localised Slight LOW - Mitigation Occur

7.6 Issue 6: Increased Fire Risk Fire in many ecosystems, particularly savannah and grassland, is a natural phenomenon and prevents thicket development. Fire in forest habitats is naturally infrequent. The use of unnatural fires to improve grazing for livestock, etc, is commonly practised by local communities, and this represents a dominant existing faunal impact.

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Fires often result in habitat loss, habitat fragmentation and habitat degradation, but it may also have more subtle effects. Man-induced fires may be associated with slash-and-burn agriculture, particularly where crops are grown in an ash garden made from the burning a pile of plant material. In addition to agriculture, fire is used for many other purposes. Livestock owners burn areas to provide a green flush for their livestock, to control pests, such as ticks (Acarina) and tsetse flies (Glossina spp., Diptera). People use fire to clear areas alongside paths and around settlements; hunters initiate fires to drive animals or to attract them later to the re-growing grass on burnt areas; and honey collectors use fire to displace bee swarms. Many fires also originate accidentally from people preparing land for cultivation, collecting honey or making charcoal (Chidumayo 1995).Fire is significant in the nearby Niassa Game Reserve, with 35.2% of the area affected by patchy cool fires, 16.8% by hot fires (in which trees are burnt), and only 48% of the reserve not burnt in 2002 (Craig & Gibson 2002).

Fires are fuelled largely by grass, and fire intensity therefore depends much on the recent grass production. Fires tend to be more frequent and intense in areas where canopy cover is lower, mean annual rainfall is higher and grazing intensity is lower. The effects of fire depend on its intensity. Fire intensity depends on the amount of fuel, physical and chemical properties of the fuel, meteorological conditions, soil moisture and topography. Soil acts as an effective insulator. During a fire, soil temperatures decrease very rapidly with increasing depth. Due to this, soil organisms and subterranean parts of plants can survive surface fires (Gillon 1983). However, the decrease in food sources from frequent fire affects soil invertebrates.

7.6.1 Impact 6.1: Faunal impact from increased fire risk

Cause and Comment: Highly flammable material (e.g. fuel) will be required and will be stored on site. Direct project actions, e.g. increase in flammable material in the area, and indirect consequences, i.e. increased road traffic and human litter, will result in a greater fire risk in the region. This will both directly (via increased mortality and disturbance) and indirectly (via possible vegetation changes associated with fire tolerance) result in faunal impacts. Construction and planning of associated roads should anticipate an increased fire risk. Increased human population growth in the area will also occur as a consequence of increased accessibility resulting from the road development. This will also lead to an increase in accidental fires. An increased fire risk may occur during all phases (construction, operational, and de-commissioning/closure) but will be most significant during the operational phase when environmental impacts are at their highest, and when traffic movements and people numbers peak. Mitigation measures:

 Storage of highly flammable material (e.g. fuel) on site should be in adequately protected, secure sites, with facilities for fire fighting available.  Vegetation surrounding the project developments and along haul roads should be controlled by the creation of firebreaks to reduce the risk of fire spread.   All litter and refuse, should be regularly removed from the project area.  The cultural practise of burning woodland and dambos every dry season should be discouraged and subsistence farmers educated about the long-term effects of unnatural fire regimes.

Significance statement Project Area This will cause a MODERATE negative impact in the long term as the deliberate anthropogenic level of unnatural fires is already HIGH as fire is used to generate livestock grazing, to reduce grass cover to reveal resources (e.g. cane rats), and to reduce ticks and enable movement. Mitigation will occur as it will be necessary for safety in the region and projection of mining developments and infrastructure. However, the development of fire breaks to protect mining developments and infrastructure will cause habitat loss or degradation. The unmitigated impact will

Coastal & Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd 67 Tete Iron Ore Project Terrestrial Fauna Baseline Report –December 2014 probably remain MODERATE, with potential reduction to LOW due to beneficial protection from general fire reduction in the project area.

All Haul Road Options This will cause a MODERATE negative impact in the long term as the deliberate anthropogenic level of unnatural fires is already HIGH. However, the development of fire breaks to protect mining developments and infrastructure will cause habitat loss or degradation. The unmitigated impact will probably remain MODERATE, with potential reduction to LOW due to beneficial protection from general fire reduction in the project area.

Project Area Effect Risk or Impact Severity of Overall Significance Temporal Scale Spatial Scale Likelihood Impact Without Probably Long Term Study Area Moderate MODERATE - Mitigation Occur With Slightly Long Term Study Area May Occur LOW to Beneficial Mitigation Beneficial Haul Road 1A & 1B Without Probably Long Term Study Area Moderate MODERATE - Mitigation Occur Without Slightly Long Term Study Area May Occur LOW to Beneficial Mitigation Beneficial Haul Road 2 and 4 Without Probably Long Term Study Area Moderate MODERATE - Mitigation Occur Without Slightly Long Term Study Area May Occur LOW to Beneficial Mitigation Beneficial Haul Road 3 Without Probably Long Term Study Area Moderate MODERATE - Mitigation Occur Without Slightly May Occur Long Term Study Area LOW to Beneficial Mitigation Beneficial Haul Road 5 Without Probably Long Term Study Area Moderate MODERATE - Mitigation Occur Without Slightly Long Term Study Area May Occur LOW to Beneficial Mitigation Beneficial Haul Roads 6 and 7 Without Probably Long Term Study Area Moderate MODERATE - Mitigation Occur Without Slightly Long Term Study Area May Occur LOW to Beneficial Mitigation Beneficial

7.7 Issue 7: Pollution

7.7.1 Impact 7.1: Chemical pollution Cause and comment Many faunal groups are sensitive to pollutants. Frog diversity in ponds affected by pollution from road run-off is depressed (Hecnar and Mcloskey, 1996) and the accumulation of herbicides and their residues in adjacent wetlands can lead to developmental abnormalities in tadpoles and metamorphosing froglets (Osano et al., 2002) and also masculinization of female frogs (Dalton, 2002).

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Pollution may result from periodic accidents, or from a slow, ongoing contamination. Operation of the mine particularly in relation to the use of inflammable liquids such as diesel will probably result in periodic accidents. Heavy vehicle traffic is also associated with increased local pollution resulting from exhaust fumes, oil spillage and accumulation of rubber compounds from tyre wear. These pollutants can cause localised impacts. Sensitive wetlands or patches of threatened vegetation may need protection from road surface water run-off containing such pollutants and the application of herbicides to control plant growth alongside roads and around buildings should be monitored. Mosquitoes are common in the region and their control using prohibited substances such as DDT should not be allowed. DDT is non-specific and leads to the depression of all insect populations in areas in which it is used.

Mitigation and management

 Storage facilities for chemicals, particularly diesel, should not be situated in regions subject to flooding.  They should be bunded so that in the event of spillage their contents run immediately into large catchments for decontamination.  The use of insecticides and herbicides should be closely monitored and dosages and application detailed in the EMP.  Chemical control of mosquitos should be selective and only government approved insecticides should be used.  All mine vehicles must be maintained to a high standard and gas emissions monitored.

Significance Statement Project Area Chemical pollution will definitely result in a moderate negative impact in the medium-term in the project area. The environmental significance of this unmitigated impact would be MODERATE, but with mitigation would reduce to LOW.

All Haul Road Options Chemical pollution will definitely result in a moderate negative impact in the medium-term in the project area. The environmental significance of this unmitigated impact would be MODERATE, but with mitigation would reduce to LOW.

Project Area Effect Risk or Impact Severity of Overall Significance Temporal Scale Spatial Scale Likelihood Impact Without Medium Term Study Area Moderate Definite MODERATE - Mitigation With Medium Term Study Area Slight Definite LOW - Mitigation Haul Road 1A & 1B Without Medium Term Study Area Moderate Definite MODERATE - Mitigation Without Medium Term Study Area Slight Definite LOW - Mitigation Haul Road 2 and 4 Without Medium Term Study Area Moderate Definite MODERATE - Mitigation Without Medium Term Study Area Slight Definite LOW - Mitigation Haul Road 3 Without Medium Term Study Area Moderate Definite MODERATE - Mitigation Without Medium Term Study Area Slight Definite LOW - Mitigation

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Haul Road 5 Without Medium Term Study Area Moderate Definite MODERATE - Mitigation Without Medium Term Study Area Slight Definite LOW - Mitigation Haul Roads 6 and 7 Without Medium Term Study Area Moderate Definite MODERATE - Mitigation Without Medium Term Study Area Slight Definite LOW - Mitigation

7.7.2 Impact 7.2: Dust pollution

Cause and comment Increased dust levels are common during construction and bush clearance and are also a major consequence of vehicular traffic, even on paved surfaces. With this mining project there may also be excessive dust projected into the atmosphere from blasting operations. Dust settling on adjacent vegetation can block plant photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration, in addition to causing physical injuries of plants (Farmer, 1993). Its presence may also make plants unpalatable, thus acting as a possible deterrent to grazing (Trombulak and Frissel, 2000). Dust from road surfaces can also transport chemical pollutants to adjacent regions, thus affecting riparian ecosystems via impacts on water quality.

Mitigation and management

 Appropriate dust-reducing equipment and machinery should be used on in the mining area.  Haul road should be hard paved or constructed from limestone and watered down to inhibit dust production.  Road speeds in sensitive regions e.g. near wetlands, across drainage lines, through thick forest patches and during extreme dry climatic conditions, should be limited to curtail dust generation.  During the construction phase speed limits on unpaved roads should be reduced.  In areas of high dust production road surfaces should be dampened.

Significance Statement Project Area Dust levels will be raised during the construction and operation of the mine and will definitely result in a moderate negative impact in the medium-term in the project area. The environmental significance of this unmitigated impact would be MODERATE, but with mitigation would reduce to LOW.

All Haul Road Options Dust levels will be raised by all mine vehicles and other traffic during the construction and operation of the mine and will definitely result in a moderate negative impact in the medium-term in the project area. The environmental significance of this unmitigated impact would be MODERATE, but with mitigation would reduce to LOW.

Project Area Effect Risk or Impact Severity of Overall Significance Temporal Scale Spatial Scale Likelihood Impact Without Medium Term Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE - Mitigation With Medium Term Localised Slight Definite LOW - Mitigation Haul Road 1A & 1B

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Without Medium Term Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE - Mitigation Without Medium Term Localised Slight Definite LOW - Mitigation Haul Road 2 and 4 Without Medium Term Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE - Mitigation Without Medium Term Localised Slight Definite LOW - Mitigation Haul Road 3 Without Medium Term Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE - Mitigation Without Medium Term Localised Slight Definite LOW - Mitigation Haul Road 5 Without Medium Term Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE - Mitigation Without Medium Term Localised Slight Definite LOW - Mitigation Haul Roads 6 and 7 Without Medium Term Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE - Mitigation Without Medium Term Localised Slight Definite LOW - Mitigation

7.7.3 Impact 7.3: Noise pollution Cause and comment Mining activities, associated housing developments and greater vehicle traffic will increase noise levels in the study area. This will reduce the abundance of faunal species in the immediate area, and in particular the larger game animals. Increased noise and motor vibrations in the vicinity of wetlands will also impact amphibian breeding choruses, but these will be localised and many amphibian species are surprisingly tolerant of urban noise.

Mitigation and management

Mitigation of this impact is difficult and unlikely to be effected, but could involve noise reduction measures in sensitive areas (e.g. adjacent to wetlands) at sensitive times (e.g. at night). If blasting operations are part of the mining operation then these events should be conducted at appropriate times of the day and local resients should be given a schedule of frequency and timings of blasting events.

Significance Statement Project Area Increased noise and vibration levels in the mining area and housing complexes will definitely result in a moderate negative impact in the medium to long-term in the project area. The environmental significance of this unmitigated impact would be MODERATE, but with mitigation would reduce to LOW.

All Haul Road Options Increased noise and vibration levels along the haul roads will definitely result in a moderate negative impact in the medium to long-term in localised areas. The environmental significance of this unmitigated impact would be MODERATE, difficult to mitigate and likely to remain MODERATE.

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Project Area Effect Risk or Impact Severity of Overall Significance Temporal Scale Spatial Scale Likelihood Impact Without Medium Term Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE - Mitigation With Medium Term Localised Slight Definite LOW - Mitigation Haul Road 1A & 1B Without Medium Term Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE - Mitigation Without Medium Term Localised Slight Definite MODERATE - Mitigation Haul Road 2 and 4 Without Medium Term Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE - Mitigation Without Medium Term Localised Slight Definite MODERATE - Mitigation Haul Road 3 Without Medium Term Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE - Mitigation Without Medium Term Localised Slight Definite MODERATE - Mitigation Haul Road 5 Without Medium Term Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE - Mitigation Without Medium Term Localised Slight Definite MODERATE - Mitigation Haul Roads 6 and 7 Without Medium Term Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE - Mitigation Without Medium Term Localised Slight Definite MODERATE - Mitigation

7.8 Issue 8: Dangerous Animals 7.8.1 Impact 8.1: Venomous snakebite Cause and comment: There is always the danger of being bitten by a venoumous snake while working in the project area.

Mitigation:  Avoid walking at night, especially barefoot around camp  Wear long pants with proper food ware and garters  Avoid handling snakes without proper training or equipment.  Company employees should be educated about the dangers of snakes and ensure staff are not required to be in a position of danger unless appropriately protected.  Medical clinic staff should be appropriately trained to deal with snake bite incident.

Significance Statement Project Area Although snakebite in the area is low, the likelihood of a venomous snakebite around the main project site will be high and will thus have a potential HIGH negative impact. Mitigation through education and exercising appropriate caution can reduce this impact to MODERATE - LOW.

All Haul Road options During construction phase of the haul roads encounters of venomous snakes will be high and will thus have a potential HIGH negative impact. During operational phase of the haul roads the impact will be MODERATE. Mitigation through education and exercising appropriate caution can reduce

Coastal & Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd 72 Tete Iron Ore Project Terrestrial Fauna Baseline Report –December 2014 this impact to MODERATE - LOW

Project Area Effect Risk or Impact Severity of Overall Significance Temporal Scale Spatial Scale Likelihood Impact Without Medium Term Localised Very Severe May Occur HIGH - Mitigation With Medium Term Localised Very Severe Unlikely MODERATE - LOW Mitigation Haul Road 1A & 1B Without Medium Term Localised Very Severe May Occur HIGH - MODERATE Mitigation Without Medium Term Localised Very Severe Unlikely MODERATE - Mitigation Haul Road 2 and 4 Without Medium Term Localised Very Severe May Occur HIGH - MODERATE Mitigation Without Medium Term Localised Very Severe Unlikely MODERATE - Mitigation Haul Road 3 Without Medium Term Localised Very Severe May Occur HIGH - MODERATE Mitigation Without Medium Term Localised Very Severe Unlikely MODERATE - Mitigation Haul Road 5 Without Medium Term Localised Very Severe May Occur HIGH - MODERATE Mitigation Without Medium Term Localised Very Severe Unlikely MODERATE - Mitigation Haul Roads 6 and 7 Without Medium Term Localised Very Severe May Occur HIGH - MODERATE Mitigation Without Medium Term Localised Very Severe Unlikely MODERATE - Mitigation

7.8.2 Impact 8.2: Crocodile and Elephant attacks

Cause and comment There is always the danger of encountering crocodiles when working in or close to the rivers and wetland areas in the project site. Elephants also move through the site and may be encountered while on foot or travelling in vehicles.

Mitigation

 Avoid being close to or in any of the rivers or wetlands in the project site  Use approved, pontoon or causeway crossing points over rivers  Drive with caution in known elephant areas.  Company employees should be educated about the dangers of crocodiles and elephants, and ensure staff are not required to be in a position of danger unless appropriately protected.

Significance Statement Project Area The Revuboe River contains numerous crocodiles and there are cases every year where local residents are killed or injured by crocodiles while involved in some activity close to or in the river. While the likelihood of a crocodile attack may occur it may have a very severe effect. While there are crocodiles present in the river this will be a long-term issue with a HIGH negative impact.

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Mitigation through education and exercising appropriate caution can reduce this impact to MODERATE.

All Haul Road Options Elephant encounters on the haul roads are unlikely to occur due to the low number of elephants in the project area. However it remains a moderate negative impact in the medium to long-term depending on whether the animals stay in the area after the mine is operational. Crocodiles may be encountered at river crossing points although this too is unlikely. The significance of this unmitigated impact would be HIGH, but with mitigation is likely to be MODERATE.

Project Area Effect Risk or Impact Severity of Overall Significance Temporal Scale Spatial Scale Likelihood Impact Without Medium Term Localised Very Severe May Occur HIGH - Mitigation With Medium Term Localised Very Severe Unlikely MODERATE - Mitigation Haul Road 1A & 1B Without Medium Term Localised Very Severe May Occur HIGH - Mitigation Without Medium Term Localised Very Severe Unlikely MODERATE - Mitigation Haul Road 2 and 4 Without Medium Term Localised Very Severe May Occur HIGH - Mitigation Without Medium Term Localised Very Severe Unlikely MODERATE - Mitigation Haul Road 3 Without Medium Term Localised Very Severe May Occur HIGH - Mitigation Without Medium Term Localised Very Severe Unlikely MODERATE - Mitigation Haul Road 5 Without Medium Term Localised Very Severe May Occur HIGH - Mitigation Without Medium Term Localised Very Severe Unlikely MODERATE - Mitigation Haul Roads 6 and 7 Without Medium Term Localised Very Severe May Occur HIGH - Mitigation Without Medium Term Localised Very Severe Unlikely MODERATE - Mitigation

7.2 Issue 9: Faunal Impacts of Power Lines

Various components of the mine development will require power to enable operations. These will include the mining operation, slimes dam and tailing areas, and accommodation, lighting and other mechanized infrastructure associated with the development. The local power network will be accommodated as a 50 m servitude running alongside the chosen haul road option. At the time of writing this report details of the power line infrastructure remained unspecified.

Power lines may impact fauna in a variety of ways, including:  Loss of habitat along the length of the 48 km long and 50 m wide servitude between the mine site and connection with the national power network.  Increased mortality of various faunal groups due to collision with, or electrocution on exposed live elements of the power line and its supporting infrastructure.

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 Disturbance and migration from the adjacent areas by various faunal groups

These impacts are discussed in the following sections: o Impact 1: Loss of faunal habitats from power lines. o Impact 2: Increased bird mortality due to collision with powers lines o Impact 3: Increased bird mortality due to electrocution. o Impact 4: Increased mortality to other faunal groups on power lines. o Impact 5: Avoidance of the area by faunal groups.

Impact 9.1: Loss of faunal habitats from power lines

Cause and Comment: A loss of habitat will occur along the length of the 48 km long and 50 m wide servitude between the mine site and connection with the national power network. This is required for the construction and service of the power line, including the control of fire and the removal and pruning of existing and future tree growth. For above-ground transmission lines the habitat loss will be larger and long- term. Use of underground transmission lines will still require maintenance of servitude lines, but these will be smaller and will allow a limited amount of regrowth. Control of fire and tree root growth, however, will still be required.

Mopane habitat is found over large areas in the southern section of the project site, and occurs along haul road options 1, 2, 4 and 5. The majority of the mammal and avifaunal observations came from within these habitats. Dambos form a network of habitats in the region. They are the main habitat for many amphibians, birds and the surviving medium-sized mammals, e.g. suni and grysbok. No proposed haul road options directly impact rocky outcrop habitat.

Mitigation Measures:  Habitat loss in the Project area can be avoided by the use of underground power lines. Construction activities for the power line, including pylon footprints and associated servitude routes, should be limited to the route and should avoid damage to adjacent habitats.  Where possible power lines should traverse existing cleared habitats and avoid the identified ecological corridors, particularly woodland habitats identified in the Conservation Management Plan.

Significance Statement Project Area The loss of woodland and dambo habitat due to construction of substation infrastructure on site associated with the power line network will definitely occur, but will have a small footprint and will have a moderate, Permanent impact. The environmental significance of this unmitigated impact will be MODERATE NEGATIVE. Even with mitigation measures this impact will remain MODERATE NEGATIVE.

Haul Road 1A and 1B, and 3 The loss of various habitats, particularly woodland, dambo and riparian, will definitely occur and will have a moderate, Permanent impact on sections of all these haul road options. The environmental significance of this unmitigated impact will be MODERATE NEGATIVE. Little mitigation is possible and this impact will remain MODERATE NEGATIVE.

Haul Roads 2, 4,5 6 and 7 Haul roads 2, 4 5 6 and 7 cross through various habitats along their routes. However, these options do not follow existing tracks and further loss of habitat along these haul roads will definitely occur and will have a moderate, Permanent impact. The environmental significance of this unmitigated impact will be MODERATE NEGATIVE. Little mitigation is possible and this impact will remain MODERATE NEGATIVE.

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Project Area Impact: Effect Loss of Risk or Severity of Overall Significance faunal Temporal Scale Spatial Scale Likelihood Impact habitats Without Permanent Study Area Slight Definite MODERATE Mitigation With Permanent Study Area Slight Definite MODERATE Mitigation Haul Road 1A and B Without Permanent Study Area Moderate Definite MODERATE Mitigation With Permanent Study Area Moderate Definite MODERATE Mitigation Haul Road 2 and 4 Without Permanent Study Area Moderate Definite MODERATE Mitigation With Permanent Study Area Moderate Definite MODERATE Mitigation Haul Road 3 Without Permanent Study Area Moderate Definite MODERATE Mitigation With Permanent Study Area Moderate Definite MODERATE Mitigation Haul Road 5 Without Permanent Study Area Moderate Definite MODERATE Mitigation With Permanent Study Area Moderate Definite MODERATE Mitigation Haul Roads 6 and 7 Without Permanent Study Area Moderate Definite MODERATE Mitigation With Permanent Study Area Moderate Definite MODERATE Mitigation

Impact 9.2: Increased mortality to birds due to collision with powers lines

Cause and Comment Various factors influence bird collisions with power lines. Large bird movements often follow natural features such as rivers and narrow gaps between topological high points. Power lines crossing river valleys or narrow steep valleys may intercept bird flight paths leading to increased mortalities. Many species of birds are prone to collisions with power lines, especially where these obstacles occur as prominent features in open airspace (Drewitt & Langston 2008). Large birds, even in species with good vision, may be seriously impacted by such collisions, and in South Africa 12% of blue cranes (Anthropoides paradisea), a Vulnerable species, and 30% of Denham’s bustards (Neotis denhami) are killed annually by power line collisions (Shaw, 2009). In an effort to reduce collisions power lines have been marked with objects such as reflective balls, flapping flags and wire coils, yet despite more than 30 years use of such devices the probability of mortality due to power line collisions remains high for certain species (Drewitt & Langston 2008). However, the reason why birds still frequently collide with obstacles may be due to aspects of visual processing and field of vision. In flight, some birds may be blind directly ahead, and turning the head may render many species temporarily blind in the direction of travel. In additional high-resolution visual processing is typically found in their lateral fields of view. Birds have also only a restricted range of flight speeds and slowing to increase visual may not be possible (Martin 2010). It has been shown that the forward-facing visual fields of bustards, cranes and eagles, which are particularly prone to collisions, contain a large blind sector that projects forward (Martin & Shaw 2010).

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Although numbers of many large birds have been reduced in the study area due to human impacts, a diverse number of large birds remain, particularly raptors and other birds of prey. In South Africa large raptors, vultures and ibis suffered the greatest mortality of power lines (see Fig 9.1). No studies on comparable bird collisions with power lines in Mozambique were listed in the review of the African-Eurasian Region (Prinsen et al. 2011).

Figure 9.1. Data on reported bird electrocutions in South Africa in the period August 1996 – May 2011, for those species with five or more electrocutions (Eskom-EWT Strategic Partnership – Central Incident Register; Prinsen et al. 2011a)

High levels of mortality may occur in migratory birds, where power lines intersect their migration routes. Fortunately, the Tete region is not known to be an important flight path for migratory species such as the European White Stork (Ciconia ciconia; see Fig. 9.2). However, it is situated on the Lower Zambezi River, and the river may be a flight path for threatened species such as Wattled Crane, moving between wetland habitats in the Marromeu Complex of the Zambezi Delta (Bento et al. 2007) and the Okavango Delta and Kafue Swamps.

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Fig. 9.2 Migration routes of the European White Stork

Mitigation Measures   Appropriate bird flight diverters (BFD) will be installed to increase the visibility of the power line in any sensitive points such as major river crossings and valley’s bisecting mountain ranges, as these are often used as flight paths by large birds. Exact locations to be determined in consultation with an environmental specialist.  The most suitable BFD for increasing line visibility will be determined by an environmental specialist. Reflective or moving markers on the cables are effective, and have been reviewed by Prinsten et al. (2011b), which includes technical information.

Significance Statement Project Area Mortality from bird collisions with power lines in the Project Area will probably occur and will have a low, Temporary impact. The environmental significance of this unmitigated impact will be MODERATE NEGATIVE. With mitigation measures, particularly the placement of low and medium voltage power lines underground, this will remain MODERATE NEGATIVE.

Haul Road 1A and 1B, and 3 Mortality from bird collisions with power lines, particularly at river crossings, along these haul road options will probably occur and will have a moderate, Permanent impact on sections of the routes. The environmental significance of this unmitigated impact will be MODERATE NEGATIVE. With mitigation measures, particularly the inclusion of visual markers on transmission lines across rivers, this impact will reduce to LOW NEGATIVE.

Haul Roads 2, 4,5 6 and 7 Mortality from bird collisions with power lines, particularly at river crossings and where they pass through narrow valleys in rocky area (Haul Road 2), will probably occur and will have a moderate, Permanent impact. The environmental significance of this unmitigated impact will be MODERATE NEGATIVE. With mitigation measures, particularly the inclusion of visual markers on transmission lines in sensitive areas, this impact will be reduced to LOW NEGATIVE.

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Project Area Impact: Effect Bird Risk or mortality Severity of Overall Significance Temporal Scale Spatial Scale Likelihood from Impact Collision Without Permanent Study Area Moderate May Occur MODERATE Mitigation With Permanent Localised Slight May Occur LOW Mitigation Haul Road 1A and B Without Permanent Localised Moderate Probable MODERATE Mitigation With Permanent Localised Slight May Occur LOW Mitigation Haul Road 2 and 4 Without Permanent Localised Moderate Probable MODERATE Mitigation With Permanent Localised Slight May Occur LOW Mitigation Haul Road 3 Without Permanent Localised Moderate Probable MODERATE Mitigation With Permanent Localised Slight May Occur LOW Mitigation Haul Road 5 Without Permanent Localised Moderate Probable MODERATE Mitigation With Permanent Localised Slight May Occur LOW Mitigation Haul Roads 6 and 7 Without Permanent Localised Moderate Probable MODERATE Mitigation With Permanent Localised Slight May Occur LOW Mitigation

Impact 9.3: Increased bird mortality due to electrocution on powers lines

Cause and Comment Many large tree and cliff-nesting bird species may utilize power line pylons as nesting and/or roosting sites. Due to un-insulated regions of the electric transmission structure accidental electrocution may occur. This may not be limited by direct contact of the bird with live elements, but also indirectly via continuous faecal streams, commonly expelled by large birds such as storks. Large birds of prey and storks, particularly in habitats where perches and nest sites are limited, are at most risk. Most incidences occur during the breeding season and in the months proceeding, when young birds are most affected.

Mitigation Measures  Electrocutions can be prevented with the insulation of cables close to poles, replacement of dangerous structures with bird-safe designs and the addition of safe perches, at a safe distance from energized structures. Technical details and examples of configurations are given in Prinsen et al. (2011b) but can include practices such as hanging voltage wires below poles with sufficiently long insulators so birds can sit on top of poles without being close to live wires and ensuring live wires are properly insulated in case of bird contact.

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 In South Africa, most electrocutions (up to 95%) occur on four types of power line structures: 22 kV wooden T-structures, 88 kV steel kite transmission towers, terminal H- frame wood structures and Delta suspension structures (Kruger, 1999). These types of supports should be avoided and alternative designs recommended by EDM engineers.

Significance Statement Project Area Mortality from bird electrocutions with power energized structures on power line pylons and associated structures will probably occur and will have a low, temporary impact. The environmental significance of this unmitigated impact will be LOW NEGATIVE. With mitigation measures this can remain LOW NEGATIVE.

Haul Road 1A and 1B, and 3 Mortality from bird electrocutions with power energized structures on power line pylons and associated structures will probably occur and will have a moderate, temporary impact on sections of all the haul roads. The environmental significance of this unmitigated impact will be MODERATE NEGATIVE. With mitigation measures this impact could be reduced to LOW NEGATIVE.

Haul Roads 2, 4,5 6 and 7 Mortality from bird electrocutions with power energized structures on power line pylons and associated structures will probably occur and will have a moderate, temporary impact on sections of all the haul roads. The environmental significance of this unmitigated impact will be MODERATE NEGATIVE. With mitigation measures this impact could be reduced to LOW NEGATIVE.

Project Area Impact: Effect Bird Risk or mortality Severity of Overall Significance Temporal Scale Spatial Scale Likelihood from Impact Collision Without Temporary Study Area Slight Probable LOW Mitigation With Temporary Study Area Slight Probable LOW Mitigation Haul Road 1A and B Without Temporary Study Area Moderate Probable MODERATE Mitigation With Temporary Study Area Slight Probable LOW Mitigation Haul Road 2 and 4 Without Temporary Study Area Moderate Probable MODERATE Mitigation With Temporary Study Area Slight Probable LOW Mitigation Haul Road 3 Without Temporary Study Area Moderate Probable MODERATE Mitigation With Temporary Study Area Slight Probable LOW Mitigation Haul Road 5 Without Temporary Study Area Moderate Probable MODERATE Mitigation With Temporary Study Area Slight Probable LOW Mitigation Haul Roads 6 and 7 Without Temporary Study Area Moderate Probable MODERATE Mitigation With Temporary Study Area Slight Probable LOW Mitigation

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Impact 9.4: Increased faunal mortality (non-bird) on powers lines.

Cause and Comment The vast majority of faunal mortalities associated with collision or electrocution on powers lines are birds. However, other faunal groups can also be affected. Both giraffe and foraging adult elephant can reach heights that may result in contact and earthing of low power lines. Primates (Vervet Monkey and Chama Baboon) may also leap onto power lines from adjacent trees, and/or climb pylons, thus coming into contact with energized components. Power cables can be insulated to prevent shocks. However this is more expensive, and monkeys learn to use insulated cables as aerial walkways until they reach un-insulated sections. With Costa Rican Howler Monkeys these problems have been counteracted by decorating power lines with rubber silhouettes of the turkey vultures, a predator that the monkeys fear. Fruit bats with large wing spans may also be electrocuted when settling on closely-spaced cables.

Mitigation Measures  Electrocutions can be prevented with the insulation of cables close to poles, replacement of dangerous structures with bird-safe designs and the addition of safe perches, at a safe distance from energized structures. Technical details and examples of configurations are given in Prinsen et al. (2011b).  Supporting structures and energized cables should be maintained at heights above 10m from ground level  The lower levels of pylons should have exclusion devices incorporated to prevent primates and other climbing mammals from accessing the upper, energized levels of the power network.  The height of adjacent trees should be pruned to prevent their use as access routes to energized structures.

Significance Statement Project Area Increased faunal mortality due to electrocution from power line structures will probably occur and will have a low, Temporary impact. The environmental significance of this unmitigated impact will be LOW NEGATIVE. With mitigation measures this will remain LOW NEGATIVE.

Haul Road 1A and 1B, and 3 Increased faunal mortality due to electrocution from power line structures alongside the haul road options will probably occur and will have a moderate, temporary impact on sections of all the haul roads. The environmental significance of this unmitigated impact will be MODERATE NEGATIVE. With mitigation measures this impact will be reduced to LOW NEGATIVE.

Haul Roads 2, 4,5 6 and 7 Increased faunal mortality due to electrocution from power line structures alongside the haul road options will probably occur and will have a moderate, Temporary impact. The environmental significance of this unmitigated impact will be MODERATE NEGATIVE. With mitigation measures this impact will be reduced to LOW NEGATIVE.

Project Area Impact: Effect Increase mortality Risk or Severity of Overall Significance other Temporal Scale Spatial Scale Likelihood Impact faunal groups Without Temporary Study Area Slight Probable LOW Mitigation With Temporary Study Area Slight Probable LOW Mitigation Haul Road 1A and B

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Without Temporary Study Area Moderate Probable MODERATE Mitigation With Temporary Study Area Slight Probable LOW Mitigation Haul Road 2 and 4 Without Temporary Study Area Moderate Probable MODERATE Mitigation With Temporary Study Area Slight Probable LOW Mitigation Haul Road 3 Without Temporary Study Area Moderate Probable MODERATE Mitigation With Temporary Study Area Slight Probable LOW Mitigation Haul Road 5 Without Temporary Study Area Moderate Probable MODERATE Mitigation With Temporary Study Area Slight Probable LOW Mitigation Haul Roads 6 and 7 Without Temporary Study Area Moderate Probable MODERATE Mitigation With Temporary Study Area Slight Probable LOW Mitigation

Impact 9.5: Avoidance of the area by faunal groups due to Coronal discharge.

Cause and Comment During the transmission of electricity ultraviolet (UV) discharges occur along power lines, both as standing corona along cables and irregular flashes on insulators. Birds, rodents, and some large mammals, e.g. reindeer (African large mammals have not been studied), are sensitive to UV, and may see coronal UV. Large mammals and ground-nesting birds have been observed to avoid habitat up to several kilometres from high-voltage power lines (Vistnes & Nellemann 2008; Pruett et al. 2009), even three decades after construction (Nellemann et al. 2003; Vistnes et al. 2004). Tyler et al. (2014) consider that in darkness these animals may see power lines not as dim, passive structures but, rather, as lines of flickering light stretching across the terrain.” Large animals, including the African elephant (Loxodonta africana), still move through the project site. They have been reported to remain to the north of the Revuboe River, which they visit during the dry season for water.

Mitigation Measures Coronal UV discharge from energized transmission structures cannot be mitigated with existing technology. The only mitigation possible is the selection of a route option to pass through existing highly disturbed areas.

Significance Statement Project Area The disturbance of fauna due to coronal discharge from power lines will definitely occur and will have a moderate Permanent impact. The environmental significance of this unmitigated impact will be MODERATE NEGATIVE as the main project area will be highly disturbed by other impacts. No mitigation is possible or required and the impact will remain MODERATE NEGATIVE.

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Haul Road 1A and 1B, and 3 The disturbance of fauna due to coronal discharge from power lines will definitely occur and will have a severe, Permanent impact on sections of all the haul roads. The environmental significance of this unmitigated impact will be MODERATE NEGATIVE. The only mitigation possible is choice of route that will pass through existing, highly-disturbed regions, e.g. option 3, in which case the impact will be LOW NEGATIVE.

Haul Roads 2, 4,5 6 and 7 The disturbance of fauna due to coronal discharge from power lines will definitely occur and will have a severe, Permanent impact on sections of all the haul roads. The environmental significance of this unmitigated impact will be MODERATE NEGATIVE. The only mitigation possible is choice of route that will pass through existing, highly-disturbed regions. These haul road options pass through a number on sensitive areas and no mitigation is possible or required and the impact will remain MODERATE NEGATIVE.

Project Area Impact: Effect Fauna Risk or Severity of Overall Significance Avoid Temporal Scale Spatial Scale Likelihood Impact area Without Permanent Study Area Slight Definite MODERATE Mitigation With Permanent Study Area Slight Definite MODERATE Mitigation Haul Road 1A and B Without Permanent Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE Mitigation With Permanent Localised Slight May Occur LOW Mitigation Haul Road 2 and 4 Without Permanent Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE Mitigation With Permanent Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE Mitigation Haul Road 3 Without Permanent Localised Slight May Occur LOW Mitigation With Permanent Localised Slight May Occur LOW Mitigation Haul Road 5 Without Permanent Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE Mitigation With Permanent Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE Mitigation Haul Roads 6 and 7 Without Permanent Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE Mitigation With Permanent Localised Moderate Definite MODERATE Mitigation

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8. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Capitol Resources is proposing to develop the Tete Iron Project in the Tete Province of Mozambique. Capitol Resources is a wholly owned subsidiary of Baobab Resources Plc, a Mozambique-focused iron ore, base and precious metal explorer. The Capitol Resources Tete Iron Project is located north of the provincial capital of Tete, in the Chiúta and Moatize districts. The Tenge-Ruoni prospect will be mined first and is the focus of this report and the subsequent Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

This terrestrial fauna baseline report has identified and listed all species of terrestrial vertebrates occurring in the mining area; identified SCC using reference to the IUCN Red Data List and CITES; defined and mapped faunal habitats that are sensitive and require conservation; described current impacts on faunal groups and identified any impacts that mining will have on the different faunal groups and specific species that would be significantly affected by the mining proposal.

The area is predominantly covered by open to dense mixed Zambezian woodlands as well as mopane (Colophospermum mopane) woodland. The Revuboe River runs through the site. The study area occurs within the 250 to 400 meter altitude range; with most of the study area representing plains. Large hills are limited in their distribution within the study area, but three hills occur, namely, Tenge, Ruoni South and Ruoni North.

The study site consists of various vegetation types and habitats. The dominant vegetation type consists of Zambezian Undifferentiated Woodland (open and closed), while Mopane woodland is also present. Azonal vegetation in the form of riparian areas and dambos (i.e. hydrophilic grasslands) occur near rivers and drainage lines. Figure 5.1 provides a habitat map of the study region.

Fifteen amphibians were observed during the dry and wet season survey. The number is representative of the common wetland amphibian fauna that can be expected for the region (of the possible 30 species may occur in the Lower Zambezi region. No amphibian SSC or endemic species were recorded, and the amphibian fauna is not obviously impoverished from that expected to have historically occurred in the region.

Only 29 reptiles were observed or reported during the dry and wet season survey. The number is low compared with the 80-90 species that can be expected for the Lower Zambezi region. No reptile SSC or endemic species were recorded in the region, although one unusual snake (Prosymna cf. lineata) of problematic taxonomic assignment was collected and requires further study.

It is probable that the low number of reptiles recorded during the survey reflects the shortness of the survey period and reduced reptile activity at the time. Although the density of the larger, more conspicuous reptiles (e.g. pythons, cobras, mambas) may be impoverished from numbers expected to have historically occurred in the region, it is likely that the overall reptile diversity is still relatively intact.

A total of 152 bird species were recorded during the two surveys of which 123 birds observed during the wet season survey (March) and 103 observed during the dry season (September). There were 74 bird species which were recorded during both the wet and dry season surveys. The number of birds recorded is somewhat low for this region: a possible 435 bird species may occur in the study area. It is likely that migrant birds had already migrated northwards during the time of the wet season field trip. The birds which were recorded represented typical Zambezian and mopane woodland species.

Only one IUCN threatened bird species was recorded on site, a Martial Eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus). However, fourteen (14) CITES listed species were recorded during the two seasonal

Coastal & Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd 84 Tete Iron Ore Project Terrestrial Fauna Baseline Report –December 2014 surveys. The recorded SCC include mainly the Falconiformes species (e.g. eagles, buzzards, goshawks, sparrowhawks etc), and Strigiformes species (owls). The Tauraco species also fall under CITES; the purple-crested turaco was observed on site.

Of the possible 145 mammal species which may occur in the study area (including historical accounts but excluding domestic mammals), a total of only 13 were observed during the two surveys of which 10 mammals were observed during the wet season survey (March) and 8 observed during the dry season survey (September). Twenty two mammal species are reported to occur in the area, while a further 96 could possibly occur in the area. Eighteen species which occurred in the area historically may not inhabit the area anymore.

Eight mammal SCC were identified for the study area: three of these occurred in the area during historical times but are highly unlikely to still occur; two mammal SCC could still possibly occur in the area; two were reported by locals to still occur in the area, and evidence of one was recorded, namely the African elephant (VU). It is reported that hippos (VU) occur in the Revuboe River system, and thus are highly likely to occur on site.

There are a number of sensitive habitats utilized by the surviving fauna. None of these habitats are specific to the project area and are well represented in the Tete Province. The Revobue River and its associated drainage lines represent particularly sensitive habitats, especially from an amphibian and bird perspective. Similarly, the rocky ridges represent a sensitive habitat from a reptile and bird perspective.

Numerous impacts affecting the surviving fauna in the proposed mine areas may arise from the construction and operational phases of the proposed mining development, as well as during decommissioning. Nine (9) issues were identified: 1. Issue 1 - Loss and fragmentation of sensitive habitats 2. Issue 2 - Loss of faunal diversity 3. Issue 3 - Loss of Species of Conservation Concern 4. Issue 4 - Disruption to faunal movements 5. Issue 5 - Invasion of alien fauna 6. Issue 6 - Increased fire risk 7. Issue 7 - Pollution 8. Issue 8 - Dangerous animals 9. Issue 9 – Faunal Impacts on Power lines

A plausible manner of dealing with the large-scale loss of habitat and fragmentation is for all stakeholders (e.g. including proposed mining applications) involved in mining and logging operations in the region to converge in discussions to identify suitable land (or ‘offsets’) to be set aside as a “mega-corridor”.

The proposed mining operation will contribute to local deforestation from loggers and charcoaling groups by providing access through the construction of road networks. Therefore, it is important that the mining operation take the necessary management steps to help reduce the loss of (1) large areas of intact woodland, (2) loss of sensitive habitats such as riparian areas, (3) the destruction of natural migration corridors and consequent (4) habitat fragmentation, and (5) unsustainable utilisation for food due to increased access and human activity in the region.

Dust pollution should be minimised as far as possible.

Fires within the project area should be managed. A fire management plan must be implemented and appropriate firebreaks created to prevent to spread of fires.

Noise pollution and vibration should be restricted as far as possible. These impacts are generally localised and at least in respect of blasting, usually restricted to a short period during the day.

Coastal & Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd 85 Tete Iron Ore Project Terrestrial Fauna Baseline Report –December 2014 9. REFERENCES

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APPENDIX 1: LIST OF AMPHIBIAN SPECIES

Species Common Name Red List Status Possible Recorded ARTHROLEPTIDAE Common Squeaker Arthroleptis stenodactylus LC Y Y Dwarf Squeaker Arthroleptis xenodactyloides LC ? Yellow-spotted tree frog Leptopelis flavomaculatus LC ? Silvery tree frog Leptopelis argentus/broadleyi LC ? Brown-backed tree frog Leptopelis mossambicus LC Y BUFONIDAE Guttural toad Amietophryne gutturalis LC Y Y Flat-backed toad Amietophryne maculatus LC Y Y Eastern Olive Toad Amietophrynus garmani LC ? Y Beira dwarf toad Poyntonophrynus beiranus LC ? Red toad Schismaderma carens LC ? BREVICIPIDAE Mozambique rain frog Breviceps mossambicus LC Y MICROHYLIDAE Striped rubber frog Phrynomantis bifasciatus LC Y HEMISOTIDAE Marbled snout-burrower Hemisus marmoratus LC Y Guinea snout-burrower Hemisus guineensis LC ? PIPIDAE XENOPODINAE Tropical platanna Xenopus muelleri LC Y HYPEROLIIDAE Snoring leaf-folding frog Afrixalus crotalus LC Y Y Giant leaf-folding frog Afrixalus fornasinii LC Y Y Argus reed frog Hyperolius argus LC Y Broadley’s reed frog Hyperolius broadleyi LC Y Y

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Species Common Name Red List Status Possible Recorded Painted Reed Frog Hyperolius marmoratus LC Y Long Reed Frog Hyperolius acuticeps LC Y Variable Reed Frog Hyperolius pusillus LC Y Tinker Reed Frog Hyperolius tuberlinguis LC Y Red-legged Kassina Kassina maculata LC ? Senegal Kassina Kassina senegalensis LC Y PHRYNOBATRACHIDAE Eastern Puddle Frog Phrynobatrachus acridoides LC Y Mababe Puddle Frog Phrynobatrachus mababiensis LC Y Y Natal Puddle Frog Phrynobatrachus natalensis LC Y Y PTYCHADENIDAE Anchieta’s Ridged Frog Ptychadena anchietae LC Y Y Mascarene Ridged Frog Ptychadena mascareniensis LC Y Mozambique Ridged Frog Ptychadena mossambica LC Y Y Sharp-nosed Ridged Frog Ptychadena oxyrhynchus LC Y Upemba Ridged Frog Ptychadena upembae LC Y Ornate frog Hildebrandti o. ornata LC Y PYXICEPHALIDAE Common river frog Ameitia quecketti (previously angolensis) LC Y Y Galem white-lipped frog Amnirana galamensis LC ? Dwarf Bullfrog Pyxicephalus edulis LC Y Y Beaded sand frog Tomopterna tuberculosa LC Y Y

RHACOPHORIDAE Grey Foam Nest Frog Chiromantis xerampelina LC Y Y TOTALS 30 (9) 15

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APPENDIX 2: LIST OF REPTILE SPECIES

Species Common Name Red List Status CITES Possible Recorded LIZARDS GEKKONIDAE Tropical house gecko Hemidactylus mabouia LC Y Y Tasman’s house gecko Hemidactylus tasmani LC Y Flat-headed house gecko Hemidactylus platycephalus LC Y Cape dwarf day gecko Lygodactylus capensis LC Y Y Speckled Dwarf Day Gecko Pachydactylus punctatus LC Y Y Turner’s Thick-toed Gecko Chondrodactylus turneri LC Y Y Tete Dwarf Day Gecko Elasmodactylus tetensis LC Y VARANIDAE Rock monitor Varanus albigularis LC 2 Y Water monitor Varanus niloticus LC 2 Y Y CHAMAELEONIDAE Flap-necked chameleon Chamaeleo dilepis LC 2 Y Y AGAMIDAE Tree agama Acanthocercus atricollis LC Y Ground Agama Agama armata LC Y Y Kirk’s Rock Agama Agama kirkii LC Y Mozambique Agama Agama mossambica LC Y LACERTIDAE Blue-tailed Gliding Lizard Holaspis laevis LC Y Ornate sandveld lizard Nucras ornata LC Y Rough-scaled desert lizard Meroles squamulosus LC Y Bushveld lizard Heliobolus lugubris LC Y SCINCIDAE Mozambique Writhing Skink Lygosoma afrum LC ? Sundevall’s Writhing Skink Lygosoma sundevallii LC Y

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Species Common Name Red List Status CITES Possible Recorded Spotted snake-eyed skink Panaspis maculicollis LC Y Snake-eyed skink Panaspis wahlbergii LC Y Y Boulenger’s Skink Trachylepis boulengeri LC Y Bronze rock skink Trachylepis lacertiformis LC Y Rainbow Skink Trachylepis margaritifer LC Y Y Striped Skink Trachylepis striata LC Y Y Varied Skink Trachylepis varia LC Y Y GERRHOSAURIDAE Giant plated lizard Gerrhosaurus validus LC Y Rough-scaled plated lizard Gerrhosaurus major LC Y Yellow-throated plated lizard Gerrhosaurus flavigularis LC Y Black-lined plated lizard Gerrhosaurus nigrolineatus LC Y Y CORDYLIDAE Tropical Girdled Lizard Cordylus tropidosternum LC 2 Y Y Pungwe Flat Lizard Platysaurus pungweensis LC Y AMPHISBAENIDAE Kalahari round-headed Worm Lizard Zygaspis quadrifrons LC ? Swnnerton’s Worm Lizard Chirindia swynnertoni LC Y SERPENTES TYPHLOPIDAE Zambezi Beaked Blind Snake Megatyphlops mucruso LC Y Blunt Blind Snake Lethiobia obtusus LC Y LEPTOTYPHLOPIDAE Long-tailed Thread Snake Myriapholis longicaudus LC Y Peter’s Thread Snake Leptotyphlops scutifrons LC Y Cryptic Thread Snake Leptotyphlops incognitus LC Y BOIDAE Southern African Python Python natalensis LC 2 Y R ATRACTASPIDIDAE

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Species Common Name Red List Status CITES Possible Recorded Purple-glossed Snake Amblyodipsas p. polylepis LC Y Cape Centipede-Eater Aparallactus capensis LC Y Plumbeous Centipede-Eater Aparallactus lunulatus lunulatus LC Y Günther’s Centipede Eater Aparallactus guentheri LC ? Bicoloured Quill-snout Xenocalamus bicolor LC Y Bibron’s Burrowing Asp Atractaspis bibronii LC Y LAMPROPHIIDAE Cape House Snake Boaedon capensis LC Y Cape Wolf Snake Lycophidion capense capense LC Y Y Flat-snouted Wolf Snake Lycophidion nanum LC ? Cape File Snake Gonionotophis capensis capensis LC Y Nyassa File Snake Gonionotophis nyassae LC Y PSEUDOXYRHOPIIDAE Mole Snake Pseudaspis cana LC ? PSAMMOPHIIDAE Spotted Bark Snake Hemirhagerrhis nototaenia LC ? Angola Dwarf Sand Snake Psammophis angolensis LC Y Mozambique Sand Snake Psammophis mossambicus LC Y Eastern Striped-bellied Snake Psammophis orientalis LC Y Y Beaked Snake Rhamphiophis rostratus LC Y Striped Skaapsteker Psammophylax tritaeniatus LC Y PROSYMNIDAE Stulmann’s Shovel-snout Prosymna stuhlmannii LC Y Lined Shovel-snout Prosymna lineata LC Y Y COLUBRIDAE Red-lipped Snake Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia LC Y Y Broadley’s Tree Snake Dipsadoboa flavida broadleyi LC Y Angola Green Snake Philothamnus angolensis LC Y Common Green Snake Philothamnus hoplogaster LC Y

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Species Common Name Red List Status CITES Possible Recorded Spotted Buch Snake Philothamnus semivariegatus LC Y R Tiger Snake Telescopus semiannulatus LC Y Boomslang Dispholidus typus viridus LC Y Mozambique Twig Snake Thelotornis mossambicanus LC Y Semiornate Snake Meizodon s. semiornatus LC Y East African Egg-eater Dasypeltis medici medici LC Y Common Egg-eater Dasypeltis scabra LC Y NATRICIDAE Olive Swamp Snake Natriciteres olivacea LC ? Forest Swamp Snake Natriciteres sylvatica LC Y ELAPIDAE Boulenger’s Garter Snake Elapsoidea boulengeri LC Y Snouted Cobra Naja annulifera LC Y Forest Cobra Naja melanoleuca LC Y Mozambique Spitting Cobra Naja mossambica LC Y R Black Mamba Dendroaspis polylepis LC Y VIPERIDAE Snouted Night Adder Causus defilippii LC Y Rhombic Night Adder Causus rhombeatus LC Y Puff Adder Bitis arietans arietans LC Y R

ORDER: CHELONIA TESTUDINIDAE Leopard Tortoise Stigmochelys pardalis LC 2 ? Y Southern Hingeback Tortoise Kinixys zombensis LC 2 Y Spek’s Hingeback Tortoise Kinixys spekii LC 2 ? TRIONYCHIDAE Zambezi Soft-shelled Terrapin Cycloderma frenatum NT Y PELOMEDUSIDAE

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Species Common Name Red List Status CITES Possible Recorded Marsh Terrapin Pelomedusa subrufa LC Y Yellow-bellied Hinged Terrapin Pelusios castanoides LC Y Serrated Hinged Terrapin Pelusois sinuatus LC Y Black-bellied Hinged Terrapin Pelusios subniger LC Y ORDER: CROCODYLIA CROCODYLIDAE Nile Crocodile Crocodylus niloticus LC Y Y

TOTALS 8 82 (? = 9) 19 (R = 4)

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APPENDIX 3: LIST OF BIRD SPECIES

Species Common Name Red List CITES Total Recorded Recorded during Recorded during Status WET Season DRY Season Survey Survey (March 2013) (September 2013) Francolinus coqui Coqui Francolin LC Francolinus sephaena Crested Francolin LC Francolinus afer Red-necked Spurfowl LC 1 1 1 Coturnix coturnix Common Quail LC 1 1 Coturnix delegorguei Harlequin Quail LC Numida meleagris Helmeted Guineafowl LC 1 1 1 Dendrocygna bicolor Fulvous Whistling-duck LC Dendrocygna viduata White-faced Whistling-duck LC Thalassornis leuconotus White-backed Duck LC Alopochen aegyptiaca Egyptian Goose LC Plectropterus gambensis Spur-winged Goose LC Sarkidiornis melanotos Comb Duck LC Nettapus auritus African Pygmy-goose LC Anas sparsa African Black Duck LC Anas erythrorhyncha Red-billed Teal LC Anas hottentota Hottentot Teal LC Netta erythrophthalma Southern Pochard LC Turnix sylvaticus Small Buttonquail LC Indicator variegatus Scaly-throated Honeyguide LC Turnix nanus Black-rumped Buttonquail LC Indicator indicator Greater Honeyguide LC 1 1 Indicator minor Lesser Honeyguide LC 1 1 Indicator meliphilus Pallid Honeyguide LC 1 1 Prodotiscus zambesiae Green-backed Honeyguide LC Prodotiscus regulus Brown-backed Honeyguide LC

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Species Common Name Red List CITES Total Recorded Recorded during Recorded during Status WET Season DRY Season Survey Survey (March 2013) (September 2013) Campethera bennettii Bennett's Woodpecker LC Campethera abingoni Golden-tailed Woodpecker LC 1 1 Dendropicos fuscescens Cardinal Woodpecker LC 1 1 1 Thripias namaquus Bearded Woodpecker LC 1 1 Stactolaema whytii Whyte's Barbet LC Pogoniulus chrysoconus Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird LC Lybius torquatus Black-collared Barbet LC 1 1 1 Trachyphonus vaillantii Crested Barbet LC 1 1 Tockus erythrorhynchus Red-billed Hornbill LC 1 1 Tockus alboterminatus Crowned Hornbill LC 1 1 1 Tockus nasutus African Grey Hornbill LC 1 1 1 Tockus pallidirostris Pale-billed Hornbill LC Bycanistes bucinator Trumpeter Hornbill LC 1 1 1 Bucorvus leadbeateri Southern Ground-hornbill VU Upupa epops African Hoopoe LC 1 1 Phoeniculus purpureus Green Woodhoopoe LC 1 1 1 Rhinopomastus cyanomelas Common Scimitarbill LC 1 1 1 Apaloderma narina Narina Trogon LC Coracias garrulus European Roller NT Coracias caudatus Lilac-breasted Roller LC 1 1 1 Coracias spatulatus Racket-tailed Roller LC 1 1 1 Coracias naevia Purple Roller LC Eurystomus glaucurus Broad-billed Roller LC Alcedo semitorquata Half-collared Kingfisher LC Ceyx pictus African Pygmy-kingfisher LC Halcyon leucocephala Grey-headed Kingfisher LC Alcedo cristata Malachite Kingfisher LC 1 1 1

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Species Common Name Red List CITES Total Recorded Recorded during Recorded during Status WET Season DRY Season Survey Survey (March 2013) (September 2013) Halcyon senegalensis Woodland Kingfisher LC 1 1 1 Halcyon albiventris Brown-hooded Kingfisher LC Halcyon chelicuti Striped Kingfisher LC Megaceryle maxima Giant Kingfisher LC 1 1 Ceryle rudis Pied Kingfisher LC 1 1 1 Merops bullockoides White-fronted Bee-eater LC 1 1 Merops pusillus Little Bee-eater LC 1 1 Merops hirundineus Swallow-tailed Bee-eater LC 1 1 Merops boehmi Boehm's Bee-eater LC Merops persicus Blue-cheeked Bee-eater LC Merops superciliosus Madagascar Bee-eater LC 1 1 Merops apiaster European Bee-eater LC 1 1 1 Merops nubicoides Southern Carmine Bee-eater LC 1 1 Colius striatus Speckled Mousebird LC 1 1 Urocolius indicus Red-faced Mousebird LC 1 1 Clamator jacobinus Jacobin Cuckoo LC 1 1 Clamator levaillantii Levaillant's Cuckoo LC 1 1 Clamator glandarius Great Spotted Cuckoo LC Pachycoccyx audeberti Thick-billed Cuckoo LC Cuculus solitarius Red-chested Cuckoo LC Cuculus clamosus Black Cuckoo LC 1 1 Cuculus poliocephalus Lesser Cuckoo LC Cuculus canorus Common Cuckoo LC Cuculus gularis African Cuckoo LC Cuculus rochii Madagascar Cuckoo LC Chrysococcyx klaas Klaas's Cuckoo LC 1 1 Chrysococcyx cupreus African Emerald Cuckoo LC

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Species Common Name Red List CITES Total Recorded Recorded during Recorded during Status WET Season DRY Season Survey Survey (March 2013) (September 2013) Chrysococcyx caprius Didric Cuckoo LC Centropus grillii Black Coucal LC Centropus senegalensis Senegal Coucal LC 1 1 Centropus superciliosus White-browed Coucal LC 1 1 Poicephalus cryptoxanthus Brown-necked Parrot LC 1 1 Poicephalus meyeri Meyer's Parrot LC 1 1 1 Telacanthura ussheri Mottled Spinetail LC Poicephalus suahelicus Grey-headed Parrot ? Neafrapus boehmi Boehm's Spinetail LC Cypsiurus parvus African Palm-swift LC 1 1 1 Tachymarptis aequatorialis Mottled Swift LC Apus apus Common Swift LC Apus barbatus African Black Swift LC Apus affinis Little Swift LC Apus caffer White-rumped Swift LC Apus horus Horus Swift LC Tauraco porphyreolophus Purple-crested Turaco LC ii 1 1 1 Corythaixoides concolor Grey Go-away-bird LC 1 1 1 Tyto alba Barn Owl LC ii Tyto capensis African Grass-owl LC ii Otus leucotis White-faced Scops-owl LC ii Bubo africanus Spotted Eagle-owl LC ii 1 1 1 Otus senegalensis African Scops-owl LC ii 1 1 Bubo lacteus Giant Eagle-owl LC ii Scotopelia peli Pel's Fishing-owl LC ii Strix woodfordii African Wood-owl LC ii Glaucidium perlatum Pearl-spotted Owlet LC ii

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Species Common Name Red List CITES Total Recorded Recorded during Recorded during Status WET Season DRY Season Survey Survey (March 2013) (September 2013) Glaucidium capense African Barred Owlet LC ii Asio capensis Marsh Owl LC ii Caprimulgus europaeus Eurasian Nightjar LC Caprimulgus pectoralis Fiery-necked Nightjar LC 1 1 Caprimulgus tristigma Freckled Nightjar LC Caprimulgus fossii Square-tailed Nightjar LC 1 1 1 Macrodipteryx vexillarius Pennant-winged Nightjar LC Stigmatopelia senegalensis Laughing Dove LC 1 1 1 Streptopelia decipiens African Mourning Dove LC 1 1 Streptopelia capicola Cape Turtle-dove LC 1 1 1 Streptopelia semitorquata Red-eyed Dove LC 1 1 1 Turtur chalcospilos Emerald-spotted Wood-dove LC 1 1 1 Turtur afer Blue-spotted Wood-dove LC Turtur tympanistria Tambourine Dove LC 1 1 1 Oena capensis Namaqua Dove LC 1 1 1 Treron calvus African Green-pigeon LC 1 1 1 Eupodotis melanogaster Black-bellied Bustard LC ii Balearica regulorum Grey Crowned-crane EN ii Bugeranus carunculatus Wattled Crane VU ii Podica senegalensis African Finfoot LC Sarothrura elegans Buff-spotted Flufftail LC Rallus caerulescens African Rail LC Sarothrura boehmi Streaky-breasted Flufftail LC Crecopsis egregia African Crake LC Crex crex Corncrake LC Amaurornis flavirostra Black Crake LC Porzana pusilla Baillon's Crake LC

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Species Common Name Red List CITES Total Recorded Recorded during Recorded during Status WET Season DRY Season Survey Survey (March 2013) (September 2013) Porzana porzana Spotted Crake LC Aenigmatolimnas marginalis Striped Crake LC Porphyrio porphyrio Purple Swamphen LC Porphyrio alleni Allen's Gallinule LC Gallinula chloropus Common Moorhen LC Gallinula angulata Lesser Moorhen LC Pterocles bicinctus Double-banded Sandgrouse LC 1 1 Gallinago media Great Snipe NT Gallinago nigripennis African Snipe LC Rostratula benghalensis Greater Painted-snipe LC Tringa stagnatilis Marsh Sandpiper LC Tringa nebularia Common Greenshank LC Tringa ochropus Green Sandpiper LC Tringa glareola Wood Sandpiper LC Actitis hypoleucos Common Sandpiper LC 1 1 Calidris minuta Little Stint LC Calidris ferruginea Curlew Sandpiper LC Philomachus pugnax Ruff LC Actophilornis africanus African Jacana LC Microparra capensis Lesser Jacana LC Burhinus vermiculatus Water Thick-knee LC Larus fuscus Lesser Black-backed Gull LC Burhinus capensis Spotted Thick-knee LC Himantopus himantopus Black-winged Stilt LC Chlidonias hybrida Whiskered Tern LC Recurvirostra avosetta Pied Avocet LC Chlidonias leucopterus White-winged Tern LC

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Species Common Name Red List CITES Total Recorded Recorded during Recorded during Status WET Season DRY Season Survey Survey (March 2013) (September 2013) Charadrius hiaticula Common Ringed Plover LC Charadrius pecuarius Kittlitz's Plover LC Charadrius tricollaris Three-banded Plover LC 1 1 Charadrius marginatus White-fronted Plover LC Charadrius asiaticus Caspian Plover LC Vanellus crassirostris Long-toed Lapwing LC Vanellus armatus Blacksmith Lapwing LC Vanellus senegallus Wattled Lapwing LC Vanellus lugubris Senegal Lapwing LC Vanellus coronatus Crowned Lapwing LC Rhinoptilus chalcopterus Bronze-winged Courser LC Cursorius temminckii Temminck's Courser LC Glareola pratincola Collared Pratincole LC Rynchops flavirostris African Skimmer NT Pandion haliaetus Osprey LC ii Aviceda cuculoides African Cuckoo-hawk LC ii Pernis apivorus European Honey-buzzard LC ii Macheiramphus alcinus Bat Hawk LC ii Buteo augur Augur Buzzard LC ii Elanus caeruleus Black-shouldered Kite LC ii 1 1 Buteo buteo Common Buzzard LC ii 1 1 Haliaeetus vocifer African Fish-eagle LC ii 1 1 1 Milvus migrans Black Kite LC ii Necrosyrtes monachus Hooded Vulture EN ii Milvus aegyptus Yellow-billed Kite LC ii Gyps africanus White-backed Vulture EN ii Torgos tracheliotos Lappet-faced Vulture VU ii

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Species Common Name Red List CITES Total Recorded Recorded during Recorded during Status WET Season DRY Season Survey Survey (March 2013) (September 2013) Trigonoceps occipitalis White-headed Vulture VU ii Circaetus cinereus Brown Snake-eagle LC ii 1 1 1 Terathopius ecaudatus Bateleur NT ii Circus aeruginosus Western Marsh-harrier LC ii Circaetus pectoralis Black-chested Snake-eagle LC ii Circus ranivorus African Marsh-harrier LC ii Circaetus cinerascens Western Banded Snake-eagle LC ii 1 1 1 Circus macrourus Pallid Harrier NT ii Polyboroides typus African Harrier-hawk LC ii 1 1 Kaupifalco monogrammicus Lizard Buzzard LC ii 1 1 1 Melierax metabates Dark Chanting-goshawk LC ii 1 1 1 Melierax gabar Gabar Goshawk LC ii Accipiter tachiro African Goshawk LC ii Accipiter badius Shikra LC ii Accipiter minullus Little Sparrowhawk LC ii 1 1 Accipiter ovampensis Ovampo Sparrowhawk LC ii 1 1 Accipiter melanoleucus Black Sparrowhawk LC ii Aquila pomarina Lesser Spotted Eagle LC ii Aquila rapax Tawny Eagle LC ii 1 1 1 Aquila wahlbergi Wahlberg's Eagle LC ii Aquila nipalensis Steppe Eagle LC ii Hieraaetus spilogaster African Hawk-eagle LC ii 1 1 Hieraaetus pennatus Booted Eagle LC ii Hieraaetus ayresii Ayres's Hawk-eagle LC ii Polemaetus bellicosus Martial Eagle NT ii 1 1 Lophaetus occipitalis Long-crested Eagle LC ii Stephanoaetus coronatus African Crowned Eagle NT ii

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Species Common Name Red List CITES Total Recorded Recorded during Recorded during Status WET Season DRY Season Survey Survey (March 2013) (September 2013) Sagittarius serpentarius Secretarybird VU ii Falco naumanni Lesser Kestrel LC ii Falco rupicolus Rock Kestrel ? ii Falco dickinsoni Dickinson's Kestrel LC ii Falco vespertinus Red-footed Falcon NT ii Falco amurensis Amur Falcon LC ii Falco concolor Sooty Falcon NT ii Falco subbuteo Eurasian Hobby LC ii Falco cuvierii African Hobby LC ii Falco biarmicus Lanner Falcon LC ii Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon LC i Tachybaptus ruficollis Little Grebe LC Falco eleonorae Eleonora's Falcon LC ii Anhinga rufa African Darter LC Phalacrocorax africanus Reed Cormorant LC 1 1 Egretta ardesiaca Black Heron LC Phalacrocorax carbo White-breasted Cormorant LC Ardea cinerea Grey Heron LC 1 1 Ardea melanocephala Black-headed Heron LC 1 1 1 Ardea goliath Goliath Heron LC Ardea purpurea Purple Heron LC Bubulcus ibis Cattle Egret LC Ardeola ralloides Squacco Heron LC Egretta garzetta Little Egret LC Ardeola rufiventris Rufous-bellied Heron LC Ardea alba Great White Egret ? Butorides striata Green-backed Heron LC 1 1

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Species Common Name Red List CITES Total Recorded Recorded during Recorded during Status WET Season DRY Season Survey Survey (March 2013) (September 2013) Nycticorax nycticorax Black-crowned Night-heron LC Gorsachius leuconotus White-backed Night-heron LC Ixobrychus minutus Little Bittern LC Ixobrychus sturmii Dwarf Bittern LC Botaurus stellaris Eurasian Bittern LC Scopus umbretta Hamerkop LC 1 1 1 Plegadis falcinellus Glossy Ibis LC Bostrychia hagedash Hadada Ibis LC Threskiornis aethiopicus African Sacred Ibis LC Platalea alba African Spoonbill LC Pelecanus onocrotalus Great White Pelican LC Pelecanus rufescens Pink-backed Pelican LC Mycteria ibis Yellow-billed Stork LC Anastomus lamelligerus African Openbill LC Ciconia nigra Black Stork LC ii Ciconia abdimii Abdim's Stork LC Ciconia episcopus Woolly-necked Stork LC 1 1 1 Ciconia ciconia White Stork LC Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis Saddle-billed Stork LC Leptoptilos crumeniferus Marabou Stork LC Pitta angolensis African Pitta LC Smithornis capensis African Broadbill LC Lanius collurio Red-backed Shrike LC 1 1 Lanius souzae Souza's Shrike LC Lanius minor Lesser Grey Shrike LC Lanius collaris Common Fiscal LC Corvus albicollis White-necked Raven LC

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Species Common Name Red List CITES Total Recorded Recorded during Recorded during Status WET Season DRY Season Survey Survey (March 2013) (September 2013) Oriolus oriolus Eurasian Golden Oriole LC Corvus albus Pied Crow LC 1 1 Oriolus auratus African Golden Oriole LC 1 1 Oriolus larvatus African Black-headed Oriole LC 1 1 1 Coracina pectoralis White-breasted Cuckooshrike LC Campephaga flava Black Cuckooshrike LC 1 1 Erythrocercus livingstonei Livingstone's Flycatcher LC 1 1 Dicrurus adsimilis Fork-tailed Drongo LC 1 1 1 Elminia albonotata White-tailed Crested-flycatcher LC Terpsiphone viridis African Paradise-flycatcher LC 1 1 Nilaus afer Brubru LC Dryoscopus cubla Black-backed Puffback LC 1 1 1 Tchagra senegalus Black-crowned Tchagra LC 1 1 1 Tchagra australis Brown-crowned Tchagra LC 1 1 Laniarius major Tropical Boubou LC 1 1 1 Telophorus sulfureopectus Orange-breasted Bush-shrike LC 1 1 Malaconotus blanchoti Grey-headed Bush-shrike LC Prionops plumatus White Helmet-shrike LC 1 1 1 Prionops retzii Retz's Helmet-shrike LC 1 1 1 Batis molitor Chinspot Batis LC 1 1 1 Platysteira peltata Black-throated Wattle-eye LC Monticola angolensis Miombo Rock-thrush LC Psophocichla litsitsirupa Groundscraper Thrush LC Turdus libonyanus Kurrichane Thrush LC 1 1 Bradornis pallidus Pale Flycatcher LC 1 1 Melaenornis pammelaina Southern Black Flycatcher LC 1 1 1 Muscicapa striata Spotted Flycatcher LC 1 1

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Species Common Name Red List CITES Total Recorded Recorded during Recorded during Status WET Season DRY Season Survey Survey (March 2013) (September 2013) Muscicapa adusta African Dusky Flycatcher LC Muscicapa caerulescens Ashy Flycatcher LC Myioparus plumbeus Grey Tit-flycatcher LC Ficedula albicollis Collared Flycatcher LC Luscinia luscinia Thrush Nightingale LC Cossypha heuglini White-browed Robin-chat LC 1 1 1 Cossypha natalensis Red-capped Robin-chat LC Cichladusa arquata Collared Palm-thrush LC Erythropygia quadrivirgata Bearded Scrub-robin LC Erythropygia leucophrys White-browed Scrub-robin LC 1 1 Oenanthe pileata Capped Wheatear LC Cercomela familiaris Familiar Chat LC Myrmecocichla arnoti Arnott's Chat LC 1 1 1 Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris Mocking Cliff-chat LC Onychognathus morio Red-winged Starling LC 1 1 Lamprotornis chalybaeus Greater Blue-eared Glossy-starling LC 1 1 Cinnyricinclus leucogaster Violet-backed Starling LC 1 1 1 Creatophora cinerea Wattled Starling LC Anthoscopus caroli African Penduline-tit LC Parus niger Black Tit LC 1 1 1 Riparia riparia Sand Martin LC 1 1 1 Riparia paludicola Plain Martin LC Pseudhirundo griseopyga Grey-rumped Swallow LC Hirundo fuligula Rock Martin LC Hirundo rustica Barn Swallow LC 1 1 1 Hirundo albigularis White-throated Swallow LC Hirundo smithii Wire-tailed Swallow LC 1 1 1

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Species Common Name Red List CITES Total Recorded Recorded during Recorded during Status WET Season DRY Season Survey Survey (March 2013) (September 2013) Hirundo dimidiata Pearl-breasted Swallow LC Hirundo abyssinica Lesser Striped-swallow LC 1 1 1 Hirundo semirufa Rufous-chested Swallow LC Hirundo senegalensis Mosque Swallow LC Delichon urbicum Common House-martin LC Psalidoprocne orientalis Eastern Saw-wing ? Pycnonotus tricolor Dark-capped Bulbul LC 1 1 1 Andropadus importunus Sombre Greenbul LC Chlorocichla flaviventris Yellow-bellied Greenbul LC 1 1 Phyllastrephus terrestris Terrestrial Brownbul LC 1 1 1 Phyllastrephus cerviniventris Grey-olive Greenbul LC Nicator gularis Eastern Nicator LC 1 1 Cisticola erythrops Red-faced Cisticola LC 1 1 Cisticola cantans Singing Cisticola LC Cisticola aberrans Lazy Cisticola LC Cisticola chiniana Rattling Cisticola LC Cisticola lais Wailing Cisticola LC Cisticola natalensis Croaking Cisticola LC Cisticola fulvicapilla Neddicky LC 1 1 Cisticola brachypterus Siffling Cisticola LC Cisticola juncidis Zitting Cisticola LC Prinia subflava Tawny-flanked Prinia LC 1 1 1 Apalis thoracica Bar-throated Apalis LC Apalis flavida Yellow-breasted Apalis LC 1 1 Zosterops senegalensis African Yellow White-eye LC Bradypterus baboecala Little Rush Warbler LC Melocichla mentalis Moustached Grass-warbler LC

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Species Common Name Red List CITES Total Recorded Recorded during Recorded during Status WET Season DRY Season Survey Survey (March 2013) (September 2013) Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Sedge Warbler LC 1 1 Acrocephalus palustris Marsh Warbler LC Acrocephalus arundinaceus Great Reed-warbler LC Acrocephalus gracilirostris Lesser Swamp-warbler LC Hippolais icterina Icterine Warbler LC 1 1 Eremomela icteropygialis Yellow-bellied Eremomela LC Locustella fluviatilis River Warbler LC Eremomela scotops Greencap Eremomela LC Hippolais olivetorum Olive Tree Warbler LC Eremomela usticollis Burnt-neck Eremomela LC Sylvia communis Common Whitethroat LC Sylvietta whytii Red-faced Crombec LC Sylvietta rufescens Cape Crombec LC Phylloscopus trochilus Willow Warbler LC Camaroptera brevicaudata Grey-backed Camaroptera ? 1 1 1 Hyliota flavigaster Yellow-bellied Hyliota LC Camaroptera stierlingi Stierling's Wren-warbler LC Turdoides jardineii Arrow-marked Babbler LC 1 1 1 Sylvia borin Garden Warbler LC Mirafra rufocinnamomea Flappet Lark LC 1 1 Pinarocorys nigricans Dusky Lark LC Eremopterix leucotis Chestnut-backed Sparrow-lark LC Calandrella cinerea Red-capped Lark LC Anthreptes anchietae Anchieta's Sunbird LC Anthreptes longuemarei Western Violet-backed Sunbird LC Anthreptes collaris Collared Sunbird LC 1 1 Nectarinia amethystina Amethyst Sunbird LC

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Species Common Name Red List CITES Total Recorded Recorded during Recorded during Status WET Season DRY Season Survey Survey (March 2013) (September 2013) Nectarinia senegalensis Scarlet-chested Sunbird LC 1 1 1 Nectarinia venusta Variable Sunbird LC Nectarinia talatala White-breasted Sunbird LC 1 1 1 Nectarinia cuprea Copper Sunbird LC 1 1 Nectarinia shelleyi Shelley's Sunbird LC Passer diffusus Southern Grey-headed Sparrow LC 1 1 1 Passer domesticus House Sparrow LC Petronia superciliaris Yellow-throated Petronia LC 1 1 Passer griseus Northern Grey-headed Sparrow ? Motacilla aguimp African Pied Wagtail LC 1 1 1 Motacilla flava Yellow Wagtail LC Motacilla clara Mountain Wagtail LC Macronyx croceus Yellow-throated Longclaw LC Anthus vaalensis Buffy Pipit LC Anthus trivialis Tree Pipit LC Plocepasser mahali White-browed Sparrow-weaver LC 1 1 1 Anthus cinnamomeus African Pipit ? Ploceus intermedius Lesser Masked Weaver LC Anthus nyassae Woodland Pipit ? Ploceus ocularis Spectacled Weaver LC 1 1 Ploceus subaureus African Golden Weaver LC 1 1 Ploceus xanthopterus Southern Brown-throated Weaver LC 1 1 Ploceus velatus Southern Masked-weaver LC Ploceus cucullatus Village Weaver LC 1 1 1 Anaplectes rubriceps Red-headed Weaver LC 1 1 1 Quelea erythrops Red-headed Quelea LC Quelea quelea Red-billed Quelea LC

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Species Common Name Red List CITES Total Recorded Recorded during Recorded during Status WET Season DRY Season Survey Survey (March 2013) (September 2013) Euplectes hordeaceus Black-winged Bishop LC 1 1 Euplectes orix Red Bishop LC Euplectes capensis Yellow Bishop LC 1 1 1 Euplectes albonotatus White-winged Widowbird LC 1 1 Euplectes ardens Red-collared Widowbird LC 1 1 Amblyospiza albifrons Thick-billed Weaver LC Pytilia afra Orange-winged Pytilia LC 1 1 Pytilia melba Green-winged Pytilia LC Pyrenestes minor Lesser Seedcracker LC 1 1 Hypargos niveoguttatus Red-throated Twinspot LC Lagonosticta senegala Red-billed Firefinch LC 1 1 1 Lagonosticta rhodopareia Jameson's Firefinch LC 1 1 1 Uraeginthus angolensis Blue Waxbill LC 1 1 1 Estrilda astrild Common Waxbill LC 1 1 1 Amandava subflava Zebra Waxbill LC Ortygospiza locustella Locust Finch LC Spermestes cucullatus Bronze Mannikin LC 1 1 Spermestes nigriceps Red-backed Munia LC Spermestes fringilloides Magpie Mannikin LC Amadina fasciata Cut-throat Finch LC Vidua chalybeata Village Indigobird LC 1 1 1 Vidua purpurascens Purple Indigobird LC Vidua macroura Pin-tailed Whydah LC 1 1 Vidua paradisaea Eastern Paradise-whydah LC 1 1 Vidua obtusa Broad-tailed Paradise-whydah LC 1 1 Serinus mozambicus Yellow-fronted Canary LC 1 1 1 Serinus sulphuratus Brimstone Canary LC 1 1

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Species Common Name Red List CITES Total Recorded Recorded during Recorded during Status WET Season DRY Season Survey Survey (March 2013) (September 2013) Serinus reichardi Reichard's Seedeater LC Serinus mennelli Black-eared Seedeater LC Emberiza tahapisi Cinnamon-breasted Bunting LC Emberiza flaviventris African Golden-breasted Bunting LC 1 1 1 Emberiza cabanisi Cabanis's Bunting LC Totals 435 152 123 103

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APPENDIX 4: LIST OF MAMMAL SPECIES

Scientific Name English Name Red List Historical Possible Reported Recorded Recorded during during DRY Season status WET Season Survey Survey (September 2013) (March 2013) Atelerix albiventris Four-toed Hedgehog LC 1 Elephantulus fuscus Dusky Elephant Shrew DD 1 Elephantulus myurus Eastern Rock Elephant Shrew LC 1 Petrodromus tetradactylus Four-toed Elephant-shrew LC 1 1 Crocidura cyanea Reddish-gray Musk Shrew LC 1 Crocidura fuscomurina Bicolored Musk Shrew LC 1 Crocidura hirta Lesser Red Musk Shrew LC 1 Crocidura luna Greater Gray-brown Musk Shrew LC 1 Crocidura olivieri African Giant Shrew LC 1 Suncus lixus Greater Dwarf Shrew LC 1 Suncus megalura Climbing Shrew LC 1 Coleura afra African Sheath-tailed Bat LC 1 Taphozous mauritianus Mauritian Tomb Bat LC 1 Hipposideros caffer Sundevall's Roundleaf Bat LC 1 Triaenops persicus Persian Trident Bat LC 1 Hipposideros vittatus Striped Leaf-nosed bat NT 1 Tadarida bivittata Spotted Free-tailed Bat LC 1 Tadarida pumila Little Free-tailed Bat LC 1 Tadarida condylura Angolan Free-tailed Bat LC 1 Tadarida midas Midas Free-tailed Bat LC 1 Tadarida ventralis African Giant Free-tailed Bat DD 1 Nycteris grandis Large Slit-faced Bat LC 1 Nycteris hispida Hairy Slit-faced Bat LC 1 Nycteris macrotis Large-eared Slit-faced Bat LC 1 Nycteris thebaica Egyptian Slit-faced Bat LC 1

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Scientific Name English Name Red List Historical Possible Reported Recorded Recorded during during DRY Season status WET Season Survey Survey (September 2013) (March 2013) Nycteris woodi Wood's Slit-faced Bat LC 1 Eidolon helvum Straw-coloured Fruit Bat NT 1 Epomophorus wahlbergi Wahlberg's Epauletted Fruit Bat LC 1 Rousettus aegyptiacus Egyptian Fruit Bat LC 1 Epomophorus crypturus Peters's Epauletted Fruit Bat LC 1 Lissonycteris angolensis Angolan Fruit Bat LC 1 Rhinolophus blasii Blasius' Horseshoe Bat LC 1 Rhinolophus clivosus Geoffroy's Horseshoe Bat LC 1 Rhinolophus fumigatus Rüppell's Horseshoe Bat LC 1 Rhinolophus hildebrandti Hildebrandt's Horseshoe Bat LC 1 Rhinolophus landeri Lander's Horseshoe Bat LC 1 Rhinolophus simulator Bushveld Horseshoe Bat LC 1 Rhinolophus swinnyi Swinny's Horseshoe Bat LC 1 Eptesicus hottentotus Long-tailed House Bat LC 1 Kerivoula argentata Damara Woolly Bat LC 1 Miniopterus fraterculus Lesser Long-fingered Bat LC 1 Myotis bocagii Rufous Mouse-eared Bat LC 1 Myotis tricolor Cape Hairy Bat LC 1 Myotis welwitschii Welwitch's Bat LC 1 Pipistrellus rueppellii Rüppel's Pipistrelle LC 1 Scotoecus hirundo Dark-winged Lesser House Bat LC 1 Scotophilus dinganii African Yellow Bat LC 1 Scotophilus nigrita Giant House Bat LC 1 Scotophilus viridis Greenish Yellow Bat LC 1 Nycticeinops schlieffeni Schlieffen's Bat LC 1 Glauconycteris variegata Butterfly Bat LC 1 Miniopterus natalensis Natal Long-fingered Bat LC 1

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Scientific Name English Name Red List Historical Possible Reported Recorded Recorded during during DRY Season status WET Season Survey Survey (September 2013) (March 2013) Pipistrellus capensis Cape Serotine LC 1 Pipistrellus flavescens Yellow Serotine DD 1 Pipistrellus melckorum Melck's House Bat DD 1 Pipistrellus nanus Banana Bat LC 1 Pipistrellus rendalli Rendall's Serotine Bat LC 1 Pipistrellus hesperidus Dusky pipistrelle Bat LC 1 Papio cynocephalus Yellow Baboon LC 1 Chlorocebus pygerythrus Vervet monkey LC 1 1 Galago moholi South African Galago LC 1 Otolemur crassicaudatus Thick-tailed Bushbaby LC 1 Smutsia temminckii Ground Pangolin LC 1 Lepus saxatilis Scrub Hare LC 1 1 Heliophobius argenteocinereus Silvery Mole Rat LC 1 Cryptomys darlingi Mashona Mole-rat LC 1 Graphiurus kelleni Kellen's Dormouse LC 1 Graphiurus microtis Small-eared Dormouse LC 1 Graphiurus murinus Woodland Dormouse LC 1 Graphiurus platyops Rock Dormouse LC 1 Hystrix africaeaustralis Cape Porcupine LC 1 Acomys spinosissimus Spiny Mouse LC 1 Aethomys chrysophilus Red Rock Rat LC 1 Dasymys incomtus African Marsh Rat LC 1 Grammomys dolichurus Woodland Thicket Rat LC 1 Lemniscomys rosalia Single-striped Grass Mouse LC 1 Mastomys natalensis Natal Mastomys LC 1 Mus minutoides Pygmy Mouse LC 1 Mus triton Gray-bellied Mouse LC 1

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Scientific Name English Name Red List Historical Possible Reported Recorded Recorded during during DRY Season status WET Season Survey Survey (September 2013) (March 2013) Otomys angoniensis Angoni Vlei Rat LC 1 Pelomys fallax Creek Groove-toothed Swamp Rat LC 1 Rhabdomys pumilio Four-striped Grass Mouse LC 1 Gerbilliscus boehmi Boehm's Gerbil LC 1 Gerbilliscus leucogaster Bushveld Gerbil LC 1 Thallomys paedulcus Acacia Rat LC 1 Uranomys ruddi Rudds Bristle-furred Rat LC 1 Cricetomys gambianus Gambian Rat LC 1 Dendromus melanotis Gray African Climbing Mouse LC 1 Dendromus mystacalis Chestnut Climbing Mouse LC 1 Dendromus nyikae Nyika Climbing Mouse LC 1 Saccostomus campestris Pouched Mouse LC 1 Steatomys pratensis Fat Mouse LC 1 Heliosciurus mutabilis Mutable Sun Squirrel LC 1 Paraxerus cepapi Smith's Bush Squirrel LC 1 1 Paraxerus flavovittis Striped Bush Squirrel LC 1 Paraxerus palliatus Red Bush Squirrel LC 1 Thryonomys swinderianus Greater Cane Rat LC 1 Canis adustus Side-striped Jackal LC 1 Lycaon pictus African Wild Dog EN 1 Acinonyx jubatus Cheetah VU 1 Caracal caracal African Caracal LC 1 Felis silvestris Wildcat LC 1 Leptailurus serval Serval LC 1 Panthera leo African Lion VU 1 Panthera pardus Leopard NT 1 Atilax paludinosus Marsh Mongoose LC 1

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Scientific Name English Name Red List Historical Possible Reported Recorded Recorded during during DRY Season status WET Season Survey Survey (September 2013) (March 2013) Bdeogale crassicauda Bushy-tailed Mongoose LC 1 Herpestes sanguineus Slender Mongoose LC 1 Helogale parvula Common Dwarf Mongoose LC 1 Herpestes ichneumon Large Grey Mongoose LC 1 Ichneumia albicauda White-tailed Mongoose LC 1 Mungos mungo Banded Mongoose LC 1 Rhynchogale melleri Meller's Mongoose LC 1 Crocuta crocuta Spotted Hyaena LC 1 Aonyx capensis African Clawless Otter LC 1 Lutra maculicollis Speckle-throated Otter LC 1 Mellivora capensis Honey Badger LC 1 Ictonyx striatus Striped Polecat LC 1 Poecilogale albinucha African Striped Weasel LC 1 Nandinia binotata African Palm Civet LC 1 Civettictis civetta African Civet LC 1 Genetta angolensis Angolan Genet LC 1 Genetta maculata Large-spotted Genet LC 1 Orycteropus afer Aardvark LC 1 Loxodonta africana African Elephant VU 1 1 Heterohyrax brucei Bush Hyrax LC 1 Procavia capensis Rock Dassie LC 1 Equus quagga Burchell's Zebra LC 1 Phacochoerus africanus Common Warthog LC 1 Potamochoerus larvatus Bushpig LC 1 Hippopotamus amphibius Common Hippopotamus VU 1 Aepyceros melampus Impala LC 1 1 Hippotragus equinus Roan Antelope LC 1

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Scientific Name English Name Red List Historical Possible Reported Recorded Recorded during during DRY Season status WET Season Survey Survey (September 2013) (March 2013) Hippotragus niger Sable Antelope LC 1 Kobus ellipsiprymnus Waterbuck LC 1 Nesotragus moschatus Suni LC 1 1 Oreotragus oreotragus Klipspringer LC 1 Ourebia ourebi Oribi LC 1 Raphicerus sharpei Sharpe's Grysbok LC 1 1 Redunca arundinum Common Reedbuck LC 1 Sylvicapra grimmia Common Duiker LC 1 Syncerus caffer African Buffalo LC 1 Tragelaphus scriptus Bushbuck LC 1 Tragelaphus strepsiceros Greater Kudu LC 1 Tragelaphus oryx Common Eland LC 1 Totals 145 17 97 21 10 8

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