Diversity and distribution of small carnivores in a miombo woodland within the Katavi region, Western Tanzania

Claude FISCHER*, Romain TAGAND and Yves HAUSSER

Abstract

The central Zambezi miombo woodlands represent an extended, unfenced ecosystem in Western Tanzania. Few biodiversity surveys have been conducted in this ecosystem, except in its National Parks. In 2007, we surveyed medium- and large-sized in Mlele District, north of Katavi National Park, in an area managed by local communities. This survey was extended in summer 2012 to the neighbouring Rukwa Game Reserve. Transect surveys, camera-traps and opportunistic encounters de- tected 10 of small carnivore out of the 14 potentially present in the combined area. Thus, the small carnivore guild was crassicauda appeared much more common than expected, and at least two species of and six of occur. diverse, despite the area’s low protection status. Bushy-tailed Mongoose Keywords: camera-trap survey, forest reserve, game reserve, transect survey

Diversité et distribution des petits carnivores dans une zone boisée de miombo au sein de la région de Katavi, en Tanzanie occidentale Résumé

- inventaireLes forêts dedes miombo mammifères représentent de taille un moyenne vaste écosystème et grande dansnaturel le districtet non-clôturé de Mlele, dans au l’Ouestnord du de Parc la Tanzanie. National deLe Katavi,nombre dans d’inven une zonetaires gérée faunistiques par les communautésréalisés dans cette locales. région En 2012, est réduit, cet inventaire à l’exception a été des élargi Parcs à la Nationaux. Réserve de En Chasse 2007, de nous Rukwa. avons Une mis combinaison sur pied un d’inventaires sur transects, par pièges-photographiques et par rencontres opportunistes nousBdeogale a permis crassicauda de détecter semblait la présence être plus de 10 espèces parmi les 14 potentiellement présentes dans cette région. La guilde des petits carnivores était donc diversifiée, et ce malgré un faible niveau de protection dans la zone d’étude. La Mangouste à queue touffue Motscommune clés qu’attendu et la présence d’au moins deux espèces de genettes et de six espèces de mangoustes a pu être confirmée.

: inventaire par pièges-photographiques, inventaire sur transects, réserve de chasse, réserve forestière Introduction (Hausser et al evaluate the sustainability of such a community-based man- Extended areas of miombo woodlands – central Zambezi mi- agement approach. 2004). by assessing The objective the evolution was to developin space anda tool time to et al. 2004) – are still widespread in of the diversity and distribution for one group of organisms, western Tanzania. The Katavi region supports over 19,000 km² mammals. The survey was extended south of the beekeeping ofombo this woodlands ecosystem, (Burgess under varying protection status, from Na- zone in 2012, covering the northern half of neighbouring Ruk- tional Park (Katavi), through Game Reserves, Forest Reserves wa Game Reserve: an additional 1,200 km². This second step and community managed areas such as Wildlife Management aimed to compare the results of a management system allow- - ing communities to use natural resources, with one in which rating fences, so can roam across the entire ecosystem. local communities have only very limited access. These surveys AreasThis or Beekeeping still extensive Zones, natural to village ecosystem lands. hasThere had are few no mam sepa- are intended to occur yearly, to assess temporal trends. mal surveys, except in Katavi National Park and its immediate The present paper presents the surveys’ data on the pres- surroundings (Caro 1999a, 2011, Waltert et al. 2008). The few ence and distribution of small carnivores in the families con- data for the rest of the area are from aerial surveys (Stoner sidered by Small Carnivore Conservation: in Africa, Herpesti- et al. 2007) and, more locally, daytime transect counts using dae, , Nandiniidae and . vehicles (Caro 1999b, 2008). These methods are adapted for larger species, particularly in this kind of habitat, but Study areas the presence and distribution of many smaller or elusive spe- cies remains un-, or poorly, documented. In 2007, we initiated a detailed survey of the mammal north of Katavi National Park (Katavi NP) in the newly cre- community of 900 km² within a forest reserve and beekeep- atedThe firstMlele study district area, (Fig. Mlele 1). ItBeekeeping is dominated Zone by (Mlele miombo BKZ) wood lies- ing zone in the ecosystem’s centre (Fig. 1). This survey was lands, interspersed with few seasonally inundated swamps conducted in the framework of a community-based natural re- and totalling less than 5% of the area (Fig. 2). The area’s two plateaux are separated by a steep escarpment. The on local communities’ development of beekeeping activities north-east plateau lies at a mean altitude of 1,000 m and rep- source management project initiated in 2001, which focused

Small Carnivore Conservation 60

, Vol. 48: 60–66, July 2013 Small carnivores in W Tanzania

Fig. 1. Location of the study areas, Mlele Beekeeping Zone and the northern part of Rukwa Game Reserve, within the extended miombo woodlands of western Tanzania. resents two-thirds of the area. The south-west plateau has a Given the aim to assess status of many species of medium-sized mean altitude of around 1,400 m. and large mammals, camera-traps were set 60–100 cm above The second study area, northern Rukwa Game Reserve ground. The model used, the Cuddeback Capture, is easy to run, even for local people, relatively cheap, and produces pictures of NP (Fig. 1). Its landscape is much more rugged, with a high- er(Rukwa plateau GR-n), reaching lies south-east over 1,600 of m. Mlele A complex BKZ and system east of of Katavi deep small carnivores, whether by car or on foot, were noted. escarpments divides it into several canyons to the south and fairly good quality. Thirdly, all opportunistic encounters with- south-east. tion and distribution of the area’s mammals, excepting fossorial, The escarpments crossing both areas represent a side aerialThese and small techniques (body mass generated <1 kg) first species. results All surveyson the composireported here were conducted during the dry season, so some species us- gives a December–April wet season and a May–November dry ing the area might have gone undetected. All species recorded season.branch ofFew the water East bodiesAfrican are Rift. permanent: Both areas’ most seasonal of the climate area is during 2007–2010 are listed in Hausser et al. (in prep.). under very dry conditions for several months. Results Methods - The methods, detailed in Hausser et al. (in prep.), consisted of ence of one month per year. Total survey effort was 1,589 Surveys began in 2007 in Mlele BKZ, with a mean field pres each. In Rukwa GR-n we spent only two months in 2012, with three monitoring techniques. During the project’s first three ancamera-trap-days effort of 904 camera-trap-days. and five transects repeated five to six times years (2007−2009), transect surveys in four-wheel drive cars Ten species of small carnivores, of the 14 potentially pre- methodvisited extensive was abandoned portions in of 2011 the five because accessible the two road other stretches tech- - of Mlele BKZ (Fig. 2) early in the morning and by night. This- enth, Nandinia binotata, was seen too poor- downs, linked to rough road conditions, rendered the method sent (after TAWIRI 2009), were identifiedGenetta (Table 1). An elev niques proved to be sufficient and because repeated car break Rukwa GR-n, a grid of camera-traps covered half of each study ly for certain identification. Genet identification to costly. Secondly, in 2011–2012 for Mlele BKZ, and in 2012 in species was difficult during direct encounters: they were seen only atGenets night wereand usuallyboth camera-trapped hid quickly. Even and one encountered genet camera- di- area. The grids consisted of non-contiguous squares of 10 × rectlytrap picture (on transects defied oridentification. opportunistically), always by night (Table 10 km, five in Mlele BKZ and four in Rukwa GR-n. These were 1). Two species of , Atilax paludi- each divided in smaller squares of 2 × 2 km (Fig. 3). In each of nosus Bdeogale crassicauda, were the larger squares, 12 intersections delineated by the smaller detected only by camera-traps and only at night. Common Dwarf ofsquares 50 m aroundwere selected the selected randomly intersections to set a to camera-trap. improve the In prob the- Mongoose and Bushy-tailedHelogale parvula Mongoose and Common Slender Mongoose abilityfield, we to looked get pictures. for visible Camera-traps signs of mammal were set activity for periods in a radius of 21 sanguineus were found only by direct encounters, only days. Some camera-traps set in the previous years to test the by day. White-tailed Mongoose Ichneumia albicauda system were placed opportunistically along roads and trails. Mongoose mungo were often seen directly, but were also and Banded

61 Small Carnivore Conservation

, Vol. 48, July 2013 Fischer et al.

Fig. 2. Vegetation of Mlele Beekeeping Zone and the northern part of Rukwa Game Reserve, Tanzania. Open woodland = miombo.

Fig. 3. The camera-trap grid system in Mlele Beekeeping Zone and the northern part of Rukwa Game Reserve, Tanzania.

Small Carnivore Conservation 62

, Vol. 48, July 2013 Small carnivores in W Tanzania

Table 1. Small carnivore species potentially present in Mlele Beekeeping Zone and the northern part of Rukwa Game Reserve, Tanzania (after TAWIRI 2009), detailing those observed during 2007–2012 surveys. Species1 Scientific name Species Number of sites2 Method3 Activity pattern detected Mlele BKZ / Rukwa observed GR-n Miombo Genet Genetta angolensis YES 3/4 C, Tn Night Rusty-spotted Genet Genetta maculata YES 1/- C Night Common Genet Genetta genetta NO 0 - - parvula YES 17/- T, O Day Mungos mungo YES 6/- C Day & night Common Slender Mongoose Herpestes sanguineus YES 1/- T, O Day Egyptian Mongoose Herpestes ichneumon NO 0 - - White-tailed Mongoose Ichneumia albicauda YES 4/1 C, T, O Day & night Marsh Mongoose Atilax paludinosus YES 7/1 C Night Bushy-tailed Mongoose Bdeogale crassicauda YES 6/2 C Night Honey Mellivora capensis YES 5/5 C, O Day & night Zorilla striatus NO 0 - - Civettictis civetta YES 3/5 C, O Night African Palm Civet Nandinia binotata Probable [1]/- Tn Night 1 are not considered as potentially present because there are no permanent water bodies in our study areas. 2 The number of sites represents the number of camera-trap locations and the number of direct sightings separated by at least 100 m. 3 C = camera-trap, T = day-time transect, Tn = night-time transect, O = opportunistic encounter.

Mellivora capensis and African Civet Civettictis civetta were mostly camera- ten above plus African Wild Lycaon pictus, Side-striped trapped,camera-trapped, but there by were both some day and direct night. encounters: at night for Af- species. We recordedadustus, 17Lion carnivore species leo, Leopard in Mlele PantheraBKZ: the pardus, serval, African Wild Cat Felis sylvestris and Detection locations of each species (Fig. 4) give some broad SpottedJackal Crocuta crocuta informationrican Civet, and, about once, their by distribution, day for Honey but Badger. need cautious interpre- the lowest protection status (IUCN management category VI). tation: only two months were spent in Rukwa GR-n versus nine in . Yet Mlele BKZ is an area with study areas, in eight different sites, deserves special mention. Bushy-tailed Mongoose, which we recorded in both our Mlele BKZ. This big difference in sampling effort resulted in more observationsDiscussion in Mlele BKZ, except for African Civet (Table 1). andIt was C. Foleyconsidered (in litt uncommon. 2012), but byPettorelli Kingdon et (1997),al. (2010) De pointed Luca & outMpunga that it(2005), can be Wilson more widespread:& Mittermeier they (2009), recorded TAWIRI it in (2009) 31 lo- adapted for small carnivores found a fairly complete small car- previous observations of Miombo Genet Genetta angolensis in nivoreCamera-trap guild: 10 models species and from survey a predicted techniques 14 species not specially present ourcations area across (TAWIRI five 2009). study areas. Similarly, there were very few in the area. Other species may be present: a probable African - obviousThe from detected the proximityspecies seem of Katavi mostly NP quite to widespreadthe west, or acrossof vil- Palm Civet − a species of uncertain distribution in western Tan lageboth lands study to areas. the north-east. No influence However, on any species's information distribution was too thinwas zaniaAdditional (Stuart & Stuart species 2006, would Wilson plausibly & Mittermeier be recorded 2009) by −cam was- to be sure no such effects exist. Direct evidence of poaching (Fig. era-trappingseen in 2007, moreand several focused genets on small were carnivores, not identified which to species. would: 5) included several traps set for illegal capture of Wild Cat and mount them lower to the ground (20–40 cm; Sarmento et al. 2010, 2011, Ancrenaz et al. 2012); place some beside roads, more often in Rukwa GR-n despite much lower sampling ef- trails, latrines and hives; use lures; and use more sensi- genets, dispersed over Mlele BKZ. African Civet was detected tive detectors. For instance, we never camera-trapped Common more common in southern Rukwa GR-n because of the presence Dwarf Mongoose, despite several direct observations. The spe- offort more there permanent than in Mlele water BKZ; bodies but this and species of more might extended naturally swamp be cies may be too small and not mobile enough to be readily de- areas (see Kingdon 1997). tected by our camera-trap system; and 2-km grid-cells exceed Tanzania is one of few African countries with a Small Car- its usually small home range (<1 km²; Gilchrist et al. 2009). nivore Conservation Action Plan (TAWIRI 2009). It assessed the Our survey unveiled a surprisingly high carnivore species status conservation priorities and research needs of 28 species richness. Pettorelli et al. (2010) surveyed carnivores in 11 Tan- of small and medium-sized carnivores. Our study delivers new zanian sites, including eight of protection status higher than information on the distribution of several of these species in (six national parks and Ngorongoro Conservation Area) or western Tanzania, as well as some information about their similar to (one game reserve) our study areas. They recorded threats, particularly poaching. Continued monitoring of small 4–16 species of carnivores per site: only three had 10 or more carnivores and other mammals in the study area is planned.

63 Small Carnivore Conservation

, Vol. 48, July 2013 Fischer et al.

Fig. 4. Location maps of small carnivores in Mlele Beekeeping Zone and the northern part of Rukwa Game Reserve, Tanzania; (above) mongooses (Herpestidae); and (below) genets Genetta.

Small Carnivore Conservation 64

, Vol. 48, July 2013 Small carnivores in W Tanzania

Fig. 4 (continued). Location maps of small carnivores in Mlele Beekeeping Zone and the northern part of Rukwa Game Reserve, Tanzania; (above) African Civet Civettictis civetta; (below )Honey Badger Mellivora capensis.

65 Small Carnivore Conservation

, Vol. 48, July 2013 Fischer et al.

Fig. 5. Poaching evidence in Mlele Beekeeping Zone, Tanzania: left, a trap set up for Wild Cats Felis sylvestris and genets Genetta; right, a Miombo Genet Genetta angolensis killed with a spear by a poacher.

Acknowledgements We are most grateful to the Village Game Scouts of Inyonga and to our innovative cross-sectoral approach to community based natural Hausser,resource Y. & Mpuya, management. P. 2004. Game When and the Wildlife bees get Science out of the woods: an (Tanzanian Wildlife Research Institute) and COSTECH (Tanzania’s Commissionstudents for theirfor Technology) precious help for ingranting the field. permits Many tothanks conduct to TAWIRI our re- results of a wildlife survey conducted in a multiple 21: use 291−312. protected search, as well as the Wildlife Division of the Ministry of Natural Re- Hausser,area Y., in Tagand, Western R., Tanzania. Vimercati, E. & Fischer, C. in prep. Preliminary The Kingdon field guide to African mammals sources and Tourism. Many thanks also to Joseph Mwangombe, Project Kingdon, J. 1997. . A. & C. FélixManager for oftheir Rukwa, great Lukwati help in andthe Lwafiproduction Game Reservesof the maps. for his Finally, precious we CarnivoreBlack, London, diversity U.K. in Tanzania: revealing distribution patterns wouldsupport. like Many to thank thanks Charles to Sandra Foley andHaesler, Emmanuel Sandy MermodDo Linh San and for Joanne their Pettorelli,of secretive N., Lobora, mammals A. L., Msuha, using camera M. J., Foley, traps. C. & Durant, Conservation S. M. 2010.

- precious help with species identifications, as well as two anonymous lection13: 131−139. and abundance of Common Genets Genetta genetta using Referencesreferees for their useful comments on a first draft of our manuscript. Sarmento,camera P. capture–mark–recaptureB., Cruz, J. P., Eira, C. I. & data. Fonseca, European C. 2010. Journal Habitat of Wild se- life Research Handbook for wildlife monitoring using camera-traps. Natural - Ancrenaz, M., Hearn, A. J., Ross, J., Sollmann, R. & Wilting, A. 2012. pancy of sympatric 56: 59−66. carnivorans in a Mediterranean ecosystem. Sabah, Malaysia. Sarmento,European P. B., Journal Cruz, J., of Eira, Wildlife C. & Fonseca, Research C. 2011. Modeling the occu Resources Office, Chief Minister’s Department, Kota Kinabalu, Terrestri- 2007. Assessment of effectiveness of protection 57: 119−131. strategies in Tan- Burgess,al ecoregions N. D., D’Amico of Africa Hales, and J., Madagascar: Underwood, a E., continental Dinerstein, assessment E., Olson,. Stoner,zania C., Caro,based T. on M., a decadeMduma, of S., survey Mlingwa, data C., for Sabuni, large herbivores. G. & Borner, Con M.- D.,Island Itoua, Press, I., Schipper, Washington J., Ricketts, D.C., U.S.A. T. & Newman, K. 2004. servation Biology Caro, T. M. 1999a. Abundance and distribution of mammals in Katavi Field guide to the larger mammals of Af- National Park, Tanzania. African Journal of Ecology rica. Struik, Cape 21:Town, 635−646. South Africa. Caro, T. M. 1999b. Densities of mammals in partially protected areas: [TAWIRI]Stuart, C. &Tanzanian Stuart, T. Wildlife 2006. Research Institute 2009. The Tanzania the Katavi ecosystem of western Tanzania. Journal 37: of 305−313. Applied small carnivore conservation action plan. Pp. 162–269 in TAWI- Ecology 36: RI (ed.) Tanzania carnivore conservation action plan. TAWIRI, - Arusha, Tanzania. system of western 205−217. Tanzania. African Zoology Caro, T. M. 2008.2011. DeclineOn the meritsof large and mammals feasibility in the of wildlifeKatavi−Rukwa monitoring eco for conservation: a case study from Katavi National 43: 99−116. Park, Tanza- Waltert,mammals M., Meyer, in woodlands B., Shanyangi, of Western M. W., Balozi, Tanzania. J. J., JournalKitwara, of O., Wildlife Quoli, nia. African Journal of Ecology ManagementS., Krischke, H. & Mühlenberg, M. 2008. Foot surveys of large - Handbook of the mam- wa Mountains: presence, distributions 49: 320−331. and threats. Small Carni- mals of the world 72: ,603−610. 1. Carnivores De Luca,vore D. Conservation W. & Mpunga, N. E. 2005. Small carnivores of the Udzung Wilson, D. E. & Mittermeier, R. A. (eds) 2009. University of Applied. Sciences Edicions, Barcelona,of Spain. 32: 1−7. - Western Switzerland, Department of Nature Gilchrist,termeier, J. S., R. Jennings, A. (eds) A. Handbook P., Veron, of G. the & Cavallini,mammals P.of 2009. the world, Family 1. Management, Geneva, Switzerland. CarnivoresHerpestidae (Mongooses). Pp. 262−329 in Wilson, D. E. & Mit *Email: [email protected]

. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Small Carnivore Conservation 66

, Vol. 48, July 2013