Thanks N. Rowe for the donation
Category: Uncategorized | Date: Oct 24 2008 | By: samburumonkeys
I would like to thank N. Rowe for his generous donation of $110 towards the ongoing primates study in Samburu. This will help to pay allowances for the scouts who have tirelessly worked to in difficult conditions to ensure that all groups of De Brazza’s monkey and Mt Uarges guereza in Mathews range and Ndoto forest are documented. When the rains subsides, I hope to make my final trip of the year in December.
Iregi Mwenja
Finally, the good news on rare monkeys of Samburu
Category: Samburu Survey | Date: Oct 02 2008 | By: samburumonkeys
For the last one and half years, we have carried out an extensive survey of six rare primates species in the plains and forest of Samburu; from Mt. Nyiro in the north to Uaso Ng’iro river in the south. Whereas we found some like the senegal lesser galago to be plenty, sykes monkey in Leroghi remained elusive and only one Patas monkey was reported on the south in the Samburu national Reserve. There was more good news for de brazza’s monkey as more groups were discovered in Ndoto. For more details, see the summary below or email me to get a copy of the full report.
I am grateful to Milgis trust’s Moses Lesaloiya and Helen Dufrense and their highly skilled scouts for their effort in making this survey a success.
Summary
This primates’ survey was carried out in Samburu district of northern Kenya with semi-arid lowland and forested highland mountains. The aim was to study the distribution of the following rare primates’ species; the de Brazza’s, the Sykes and the Patas monkeys, the Somali and the Senegal lesser galagos and the Mt Uarges guereza. The six have received marginal attention and their status in the area is poorly known.
De Brazza’s monkey
During the survey that started in April 2007, six more groups of de Brazza’s monkey were recorded on the northern Mathews range, an addition to the 24 groups recorded in the year 2006 pioneering survey of de Brazza’s monkey. Additionally, Milgis Trust game scouts also reported new groups in southern parts of Ndoto forest.
Patas monkey
In the district, only one Patas monkey was officially reported. Dr Iain Douglas-Hamilton of Save the Elephants reported seeing one Patas monkey on the western parts of Samburu National Reserve. Given the mobile of nature male Patas and the proximity of the reserve to the Laikipia population, this sighting could not be construed to mean that there is a new resident group in the district yet.
Sykes’ monkey
A very small population Sykes’ monkey is believed to be present on the northern fringes of Leroghi forest although tangible evidence has been had to come by. However, effort to get hold of such evidence his still ongoing.
Mt Uarges Guereza
The Endangered Mt Uarges guereza is found in substantial number distributed over central and southern parts of Mathews range forest. The population in the neighboring Kirisia hills and Leroghi forest was last seen by Forest Guards in 2006 and is now believed to have sought refuge in the dense inaccessible part of the forest following two decades of persistent poaching by local people who highly value its skin.
Lesser Galagos
The Senegal lesser galago was found to be widespread in the district. Eight live specimens were collected at South Horr and Mathew range. However, the Somali lesser galago was not seen though there were reliable reports that it is common particularly on the southern drier parts of the district.
Senegal lesser Galago collected at Ngare Narok on Mathew range
Iregi Mwenja
Primate conservation may enhance food availability to humans
Category: Uncategorized | Date: Sep 17 2008 | By: samburumonkeys
From mongabay.com September 15, 2008
Primate conservation may have the unintended benefit of enhancing food availability to humans, reports a study led by African scientists. The research, conducted in the Taï region of Côte-d’Ivoire, found that seven species of monkeys used about 75 species of plants as a source of fruit, of which 25 were also used by local human inhabitants for various purposes. Because monkeys are key seed dispersal agents, the results suggest that primate conservation may sustain the persistence of plant resources important for human livelihoods. Read more….
Sykes monkeys in Leroghi forest?? My greatest challenge
Category: Uncategorized | Date: May 21 2008 | By: samburumonkeys
When I started primates surveys in Samburu district over two years ago, I only knew of one surprise that would come from the district - the de Brazza’s monkey. I therefore went to Mathews range forest with high anticipation of coming up with the last surprise (on primates) of the region. It was indeed a pleasant surprise when I found one of the highest concentration of de Brazza’s monkey in Kenya, yet it had remained unknown to us (biologist) for this long (read the journal article published last year on; HTTP://www.primate-sg.org/PDF/PC22.neglectus.pdf).
However, during the 8 months of intensive survey of the Mathews ranges and the surrounding areas, it emerged that there were indeed more primates species that had never been documented in the district or were only known to exist through anecdotal reports. These species include the sykes’ monkey, patas monkeys and lesser galago (senegalensis and Somali). It also emerged that the de Brazza’s monkey was not confined to Mathews range alone.
It was therefore natural that after completing the survey f the de Brazza’s, I embarked on a survey of these other species and also added the Endangered Mt Uarges guereza whose status is little known despite being listed in the IUCN red list as Endangered. Most of last year and this year, we have been working on proving that these species indeed occur in the district and trying documenting the distribution. This study has been made possible through the generous donation from Eden Wildlife Trust, Columbus Zoo Conservation Fund, National Environment Foundation and the Rufford Small Grants Foundation.
In northern part of Leroghi forest, I went there on June last year following leads that there were small remnant groups of guereza colobus remaining there. However, as fate had it, I stumbled on crucial information that there was a “white throated monkey” living on the edges of the forest that raided crops at Ang’ata Nanyuki. I was very excited about this new discovery given that this was the first ever record of Sykes’ monkeys occurring north of Mt Kenya. As it has been the procedure, once I get such information, I usually went there and surveyed the area for several days to collect tangible evidence to convince the world that this of indeed true. I also needed to see the primate mysef. To cut the long story short, I have since gone there thrice and sent my scouts there up to early this month. But we have never come up with any photo and any other tangible evidence of the primate in that area. Every time I go there or my scouts brings me there field reports, I am left more confused whether it is Sykes monkey that the locals talk about.
Mwenja at one of the spot where sykes were reportedly seen by locals
Could have been mislead despite my experience with primates surveys? What is this “white throated monkey” the local claim they see at Ang’ata Nanyuki area.
Can someone out there go there and independently investigate the issue and tell us truth? I promise all support in terms of directions to the location and all information that I have gathered.
Iregi Mwenja
RSG gives £ 4,470 for primates conservation
Category: Endangered Wildlife | Date: Apr 18 2008 | By: admin
The ongoing study of the rare primate of Samburu recently received a major boost when Rufford Small Grants for Nature Conservation awarded the project a grant of £ 4,470 for ongoing study on; The distribution and conservation status of the endangered Mt Uarges guereza and the de Brazza’s and Sykes’ monkey in Mathews range, Leroghi and Ndoto forests of Samburu Kenya.
This project aims to protect this globally important area and its primates, not only by active field work studies and monitoring but also through introducing community based conservation initiatives, strengthening forest reserve management in the areas, and building the capacity of relevant stakeholders to manage the local ecosystems
This is the second Grant I have received from Rufford for primates’ survey in Samburu region. I am sincerely grateful to RSG for this generous support which will see the study through the most critical stage – documenting new discoveries of three different primate species in the wider Samburu region.
“Asante Sana”
Mwenja
Finally, De Brazza’s monkey are in the Ndotos
Category: Endangered Wildlife | Date: Apr 18 2008 | By: admin
Since the 2006 study of the newly discovered population de Brazza’s monkey in Mathews range, I received credible reports that de Brazza’s are are found in Ndotos. But just like with the initial reports of de Brazza’s in Mathews range, most people were skeptical and some did not hide their indignation with me for always highlighting positive news which they consider a threat to funding. Indeed, while presenting my findings on the Mathews range study at the Institute of Primate Research IPR 17th Scientific Conference, a participant asked me whether I expect to get funded if I continue telling the world that we are discovering more and more groups of de Brazza’s in Kenya. However, this seems to not to be the case with my project which has been come up with positive news at at time when the IUCN PSG released a report on 25 most endangered primates. Recently, Rufford Small Grant funded the ongoing study and I am sure many more Donors would have no problem funding a project that is run professionally and whose findings are not skewed to please the partisan interests.
Back to the good news. Despite the ongoing heavy rains in the Ndotos, our scouts managed to spot two seperate groups of de Brazza’s monkeys on very high altitude at ‘Lolionto’ and ‘Matasia’. Rains have completely disrupted our work in the steep areas of Sererit, Ngurunet and proper survey will have to wait for the dry season. Similarly, our work in Leroghi has also been affected and I hope to head there early month to assess the situation befroe deploying more scouts.
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Iregi Mwenja
Project Leader
Rare photo with the Rare President
Category: Endangered Wildlife | Date: Apr 01 2008 | By: admin
I am currently attending a one week Social marketing workshop for conservationist at college of African Wildlife Management, Mweka in Tanzania. The theme of the workshop which is facilitated by Rare is to “Introduce participants drawn from across Africa to one approach in building constituencies for conservation – Social marketing”. This approach is the Rare’s award winning Pride program which has been proven successful in more than 100 campaigns in over 40 countries around the world.
After today’s session which we learnt about building a concept model and threats ranking, I managed to convince the President to join me for a photo session – my first photo with a President. As you can see below, he is quite charismatic, easy going and very much at home with the “masses”, the right combination for positively influencing people’s behavior and attitudes on environment.
With Rare President Mr Brett.
The Presdent with the workshop participants
Iregi Mwenja
Thanks Mureil for the donation
Category: Endangered Wildlife | Date: Mar 29 2008 | By: admin
I would like to thank Mureil T for his generous donation of 30 USD for support the ongoing studies of rare primates of Samburu district of northern Kenya. The money will be used to scouts allowances. The scouts are currently working in Ndoto mountains searching for new groups of de Brazza’s monkey that have not been previously documented.
“Asante Sana”.
Iregi Mwenja
Capturing the Eruption of Mt Lengai
Category: Endangered Wildlife | Date: Mar 29 2008 | By: admin
Mt Lengai has been in the news lately in Kenya and in Tanzania due to the ogoing volcanic eruption and accompanying tremors that have been felt as far as Nairobi. I was lucky last month to witness first hand the eruption of this volcano from the safety of the rims of the Ngorongoro crater on my way to the Serengeti National Park.
Iregi Mwenja
Progress on the ongoing Samburu primates’ survey
Category: Endangered Wildlife | Date: Jan 31 2008 | By: admin
The Samburu primates survey 2007/2008 is an effort aimed at establishing the presence and thereafter the distribution of six rare primates species in the district. They include; the de Brazza’s, the Sykes and the Patas monkeys, the Somali and the Senegal lesser galagos and the Endangered Mt Uarges guereza. The six have received marginal attention and their status is poorly known, save for the de Brazza’s monkey in Mathews range which was surveyed in 2006.
On de brazza’s monkey, the progress has been encouraging. Six more groups of de Brazza’s monkey were recorded on the northern Mathews range in additional the 24 groups recorded in the year 2006 survey. Milgis Trust game scout have also reported new groups in southern parts of Ndoto forest and they are currently on the ground searching for more groups.
So far, only one Patas monkey was officially reported in the district. Dr Iain Douglas-Hamilton reported seeing one Patas monkey on the western parts of Samburu National Reserve. Given mobile the nature of male Patas and the proximity of the reserve to the Laikipia population, this sighting could not be construed to mean that there is a new resident group in the district yet. But ongoing efforts in Baragoi-Parsaloi plains are encouraging and might come up with positive results soon.
The Plains between Leroghi and Ndoto where the search for patas has been intensified especially along the Baragoi- Parsaloi road. However, this effort might not be successfully completed due to funds limitations.
A very small population Sykes’ monkey is believed to be present on the northern fringes of Leroghi forest although tangible evidence has been had to come by. Effort to get hold of such evidence is till on going. Residents insist that there is a White-throated monkey that raids their crops for the nearby forest.
My Local scouts and local residents at Ang’ata Nanyuki where Sykes monkey are reported to raid crops.
The Endangered Mt Uarges guereza is found in substantial number distributed over central and southern parts of Mathews range forest. The population in the neighbouring Kirisia hills and Leroghi forest was last seen by Forest Guards in 2006 and is now believed to have sought refuge in the dense inaccessible part of the forest following two decades of persistent poaching by local people who highly value its skin.
Saanata, the highest peak of the Leroghi forest where it is extremely cold. The extreme cold deters human intrusion in this area and the remnants population of the Endangered colobus is believed to have found a safe haven here
The Senegal lesser galago was found to be widespread in the district. Eight live specimens were collected at South Horr and Mathew range. However, the Somali lesser galago was not seen though there were reports that it is common especially in the lower drier areas.
A man holding a Senegal lesser galago at Ngare Narok in Mathews range. This species is common in traditional beehives near human residence.
Although a lot has been achieved so far, there is still more work that needs to be done to establish the status of Sykes’ in Leorgi, Patas in Parsaloi, Mt Uarges guereza in Leorgi and Ndoto forest and de Brazza’s monkey in Ndoto forest. The distribution of the Somali lesser galago in the lower and drier areas of the district need to be established as well. However, funds are running out when crucial information and tangible evidence for new discoveries is yet to be obtained. I am appealing for support to complete this survey within the next 12 months. I will also like ot thank those who have assisted me and my team before. their support has enabled us to traverse the remote 21,000 sq. km district extensively, an area where many biologist have been unable to venture before.
Iregi Mwenja
Samburu Primates Research and Conservation project
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Donations Received
- Oct 22nd Noel R. USD110.00
- May 4th Theresa S. USD100.00
- Mar 5th Muriel T. USD30.00
- Nov 3rd Alain V. USD15.00