Population density estimates and threats evaluation of the highly endangered Udzungwa Forest Partridge, in the Udzungwa Mts of Tanzania A first field census and first field assessment of the Ndundulu population. Louis A. Hansen May 2007 1 Suggested citation Hansen, L.A. 2007. Population density estimates and threats evaluation of the highly endangered Udzungwa Forest Partridge, in the Udzungwa Mts of Tanzania. Unpublished report for the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund. 18 pages. Photographs and figures Front-page: Udzungwa Forest-Partridge (adult) © Louis A. Hansen. Not to be reproduced without the permission from the author. Map and figures: © Louis A. Hansen All other photographs: © Louis A. Hansen Contact details Louis A. Hansen Zoological Museum University of Copenhagen Universitetsparken 15 DK-2100 Copenhagen Denmark E-mail: lahansen at snm.ku.dk This report and parts of the survey costs was financial supported by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund. The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund is a joint initiative of Conservation International, the Global Environment Facility, the Government of Japan, the MacArthur Foundation and the World Bank. A fundamental goal is to ensure civil society is engage in the biodiversity conservation. 2 Population density estimates and threats evaluation of the highly endangered Udzungwa Forest Partridge, in the Udzungwa Mts of Tanzania......................................................................................................... 1 Suggested citation ........................................................................................................... 2 Photographs and figures.................................................................................................. 2 Contact details................................................................................................................. 2 Executive Summary........................................................................................................ 4 This report therefore states: ........................................................................................ 4 Negative trends and findings ...................................................................................... 4 Positive trends and findings........................................................................................ 4 Acknowledgements......................................................................................................... 5 Introduction..................................................................................................................... 6 The discovery of the Udzungwa Forest-Partridge and relationship to other forest dwelling Phasianidae .................................................................................................. 6 The census....................................................................................................................... 7 Primary objective............................................................................................................ 8 Secondary objection........................................................................................................ 8 Study area........................................................................................................................ 9 The Ndundulu ............................................................................................................. 9 Methods......................................................................................................................... 10 Field methods............................................................................................................ 10 Knowledge ................................................................................................................ 11 Timing....................................................................................................................... 11 Sub-localities in the Ndundulu.................................................................................. 12 Results........................................................................................................................... 13 Distribution ............................................................................................................... 13 Density and abundance estimates ............................................................................. 13 Other sources on population and density.................................................................. 14 Population and threat status of the Partridge in the Ndundulu Forest ...................... 14 Discussion..................................................................................................................... 16 Recommendations - Udzungwas............................................................................... 16 Recommendations - Rubeho Mountains................................................................... 17 References..................................................................................................................... 17 References..................................................................................................................... 18 Figure 1. Udzungwa Mts, Ndundulu Forest - looking east................................................. 9 Figure 2. Udzungwa Mts, Ndundulu Forest........................................................................ 9 Figure 3. Udzungwa Mts, Ndundulu Forest - Luwala Meadow area.................................. 9 Figure 4. Udzungwa Mts, Ndundulu F., Luwala area – Trail walking with Janus, Tanapa camp.......................................................................................................................... 10 Table 1. Short summary of major areas survey and effort................................................ 13 3 Executive Summary A survey of the paratype locality had failed to locate the Udzungwa Forest-Partridge in 2002-03. However, during the present reported survey of the Ndundulu Forest, the Udzungwa Forest-Partridge was found to thrive well and the numbers recorded were higher than would have been expected from previous surveys. The altitudinal range was also found to exceed the previous known. The fluctuation in numbers is judge to be caused by local climate, and food availability. The number of youngsters recorded among other species of birds were very pronounced. The Udzungwa Forest-Partridge was found to occur in all suitable forest parts visited and from forest edge to forest edge. The species clearly avoids open habitats both within and outside the forest. Therefore as the Ndundulu Forest (incl. the National Park) has a highly mosaic vegetation but also open areas and swamps the actual area of occupancy is much less than previous stated. Previous estimated number of km² occupied by the Udzungwa Forest-Partridge was made from measuring the forest covers on 1:50.000 topographic maps. These calculations are now considered inaccurate due to the findings summaries in this report. This report therefore states: Negative trends and findings o Area of occupancy is less than previous thought o The species is very shy and elusive o It is very easy snared o Pressure from the fast approaching new shambers (north and east of the forest) from villagers in Udekwa o Large but abandon shambers were found within the forest o Poachers in forest, however they seem to use the forest mainly as a road to other areas (villagers told on interviewed) o Uncontrolled fires reported in all years surveys have taken place, and as a result relatively large areas have been burnt – both surroundings, forest edges and forest parts o The species habitat preference seems very strict to primary uncut forest (see details above), which is under pressure Positive trends and findings o However, the species might occur in fair numbers, but yearly fluctuations might occur o Larger altitudinal span o The Udzungwa Forest-Partridge was found in good numbers o The Udzungwa Forest-Partridge seems to thriev well 4 Acknowledgements This survey was carried out by a small team that embraces: Abdi H. Hedayat (B.Sc from Denmark) – thanks for joining and sharing experience, thoughts and spending time together both before, in the forest and after the fieldwork. Jacob S. Kiure my Tanzanian experience field assistant from a number of surveys in Tanzania; Janus Mdanga a fundi in tracking mammals and birds but also Njohole Lubugu our cock and other camp personnel. I am also grateful to the villagers of Udekwa for their assistance. I will also like to mention the kindness of the village chairman, Alfonzo X who assisted with various help. The research permission was granted by the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TANAPA), Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH), Tanzania National Parks, Forestry and Beekeeping Division, Regional Administrative Secretary of Iringa, and the village council of Udekwa. Thanks to Massao (Regional Catchment Forest Officer, Iringa). And finally the personal at the Tanapa Ranger Post (Udekwa). The survey was partly funded by a grant from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund; salary for Abdi H. Hedayat was paid by the Zoological Museum, Copenhagen. Personal funds provided by Louis A. Hansen covered the remaning cost of +20.000 US $. Finally Trevor Jones for advices, information from his latest trips and for stimulating and encouraging talks and e-mails and for letting me adopted his layout of his 2006 report, Liz