ASSESSMENT of the RANGE and POPULATION of GOLDEN RUMPED ELEPHANT-SHREW (Rhynchocyon Chrysopygus) in the NORTHERN COASTAL FORESTS of KENYA
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ASSESSMENT OF THE RANGE AND POPULATION OF GOLDEN RUMPED ELEPHANT-SHREW (Rhynchocyon chrysopygus) IN THE NORTHERN COASTAL FORESTS OF KENYA INGARUIYAnc GRACE WAMBUI , A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI, IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGY OF CONSERVATION UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI SCHOOL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES University of NAIROBI Library 0439213 0 DECLARATION I, Grace Wambui Ngaruiya declare that this thesis is my original work and to the best of my knowledge, has not been presented for a degree in any other university. SIGNATURE DATE This thesis has been submitted for examination with our approval as the university supervisors. DR. E.M. MWANGI SIGNATURE................................... DATE...................2 : h f l. DR. N. GICHUKI SIGNATURE DATE............. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page DECLARATION...................................................................................................... ii LIST OF TABLES.................................................................................................... v LIST OF FIGURES................................................................................................... vi LIST OF APPENDICES.......................................................................................... vii DEDICATION............................................................................................................ viii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.................................................................... ix ABSTRACT............................................................................................................... x CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION AND LITERATURE REVIEW 1.1 Introduction of Study Animal................................................................... 1 1.2 Literature review........................................................................................... 9 1.3 Problem Statement....................................................................................... 13 1.4 Objectives........................................................................................................ 15 1.5 Hypotheses...................................................................................................... 15 CHAPTER TWO: STUDY AREA AND SAMPLING SITES 2.1 Study Areas.................................................................................................. 16 2.1.1 Arabuko-Sokoke Forest................................................................... 19 2.1.2 Gede National Monument Forest.................................................... 25 4- 2.1.3 Boni and Dodori National Reserves.............................................. 27 CHAPTER THREE: MATERIAL AND METHODS 3.1 Presence of elephant-shrews in Boni-Dodori National Reserves.............. 30 3.2 Relative abundance of golden-rumped elephant-shrews.......................... 31 iii 3.3 Community attitudes and conservation status of species........................... 32 3.4 Data analysis................................................................................................. 34 CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS 4.1 Presence of elephant-shrews in Boni-Dodori National Reserves.............. 37 4.2 Relative abundance of golden-rumped elephant-shrews........................... 39 4.3 Community attitudes and conservation status of species.......................... 43 CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION 5.1 Presence of elephant-shrews in Boni-Dodori National Reserves............. 48 5.2 Golden-rumped elephant-shrew trends....................................................... 49 5.3 Influence of community attitude on conservation of GRES.................... 52 5.4 Conclusion.................................................................. 54 5.5 Recommendations........................................................................................ 55 Literature cited.......................................................................................................... 57 Appendices................................................................................................................ 61 IV ST OF TABLES able 1 Previous studies on the golden-rumped elephant-shrew.......................... 13 able 2 Data showing number and type of people interviewed in the three study sites.................................................................................................................. 33 ’able 3 Summary of results obtained from transects in Arabuko-Sokoke and Gede forests.................................................................................................... 39 Table 4 Analysis results of nests per 100m at Arabuko-Sokoke and Gede forests. 39 Table 5 Comparison of golden-rumped elephant-shrew data within Arabuko- Sokoke forest.................................................................................................. 41 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1 Picture showing common features of elephant-shrews............................... 2 Figure 2 Classification of the elephant-shrews and scientific names of the species in each genus.................................................................................................... 3 Figure 3 Picture of a golden-rumped elephant-shrew showing the distinct golden color.................................................................................................................. 5 Figure 4 Picture showing the first step in nest building by an elephant-shrew......... 7 Figure 5 Top side view picture of a complete nest...................................................... 7 Figure 6 Map showing both approximated range and study sites on GRES in Kenya................................................................................................................ 11 Figure 7 Map showing location of study sites along the Kenyan coast.................... 18 Figure 8 Map showing general layout of Arabuko-Sokoke and Gede environs....... 20 Figure 9 Map showing the vegetation types and distribution in Arabuko-Sokoke forest................................................................................................................. 22 Figure 10 Illustration of the line transects..................................................................... 32 Figure 11 Graph showing nest indices in forest habitats............................................... 40 Figure 12 Graph showing GRES density changes over 14 years.................................. 41 Figure 13 Graph showing number of persons who visit the forest at different periods............................................................................................................... 44 Figure 14 Graph showing presence and frequency of elephant-shrews....................... 45 A- Figure 15 Graph showing number of persons who hunt or use the elephant-shrew as food................................................................................................................... 46 Figure 16 Graph showing number of persons who view the elephant-shrew as part of taboo............................................................................................................. 47 vi LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix 1 List of recorded elephant-shrews in the world.......................................... 61 Appendix 2 Questionnaire used in the preliminary base-line study.............................. 62 Appendix 3 Detailed questionnaire used in the study...................................................... 63 Appendix 4 Data sheet used for recording any visual encounter with GRES during transect surveys.............................................................................................. 64 Appendix 5 Data sheet for recording nests encountered during the transect survey ... 65 Appendix 6 Data sheet for recording the morphological measurements of captured Elephant-shrew species................................................................................. 66 S ^ vii DEDICATION This thesis is dedicated to: My mother and sister Martha Wanjiku Ngaruiya & T’evelyn Wanjiru Ngamiya For listening to my dreams and their support to make them come true GOD BLESS YOU acknowledgments I would like to thank my two supervisors Dr. Evans Mwangi and Dr. Nathan Gichuki who provided me with advice and insight through out the project duration. This project would not have been possible without a research permit from KWS (Kenya Wildlife Service) and funds from CEPF (Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund) and the EDGE (Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered) Program of Zoological Society of London. I must thank Jonathan Mwachongo and David Ngala for the help in launching research of the golden-rumped elephant-shrew around Arabuko-Sokoke. Additional thanks go to Mike Masha, my field assistant for support throughout our field experiences. I am eternally grateful for field expertise from Mr. Francis Kagema (Nature Kenya), Mr. Wairungu (KEFRI), Dr. Clare FitzGibbon, Dr. Galen Rathbun, Collins & Roni Jackson (AROCHA), WWF- Mkokoni Team (Fred, Yusuf, Bi Hawa). I would also like to recognize Mr. and Mrs. Ezekiel Wainaina and Mr. and Mrs Michael Mbugua for the help and support during Boni-Dodori visits. To all my friends who kept me going with prayers and jokes including: Ben Muchai, Muhiu and Hariet Wangai, Lucy and Jeff Mwangi, Noni, Julie, Muli, Joe, Lydia, Shiku, Mike and Frankie, Eric & Agnes and all the others, thanks a lot. A. v j Finally, I must thank God for opening up doors for me to reach this level, all glory to Him always. ix ABSTRACT This research