New reports of rare monkeys in Samburu, northern Kenya

New reports of rare monkeys in Samburu, northern Kenya

Category: Endangered Wildlife | Date: Sep 24 2007 | By: admin

My studies of rare and endangered primates species of Samburu - an arid region of northern Kenya focuses on six species, five of which had not been officially reported to occur in the region. They are the de Brazza’s monkey, the Patas’ monkey, the Gallarum and the senegalensis Galago and the Sykes’ monkey. The sixth is the Mt Uarges guereza, a sub-species of the black and white colobus which is endemic to Samburu. It is the only sub-species of the gureza colobus listed as Endangered by IUCN and it was first described by Heller in 1913.

Very little is known of the ecology and conservation status of the Mt Uargues guereza Colobus guereza percivali making this survey unique being the first of its kind to be done on this sub-species. On the other hand, the de Brazza’s monkey (Cercopithecus neglectus) is consindered to be endangered in Kenya. The eastern limit of it’s range was thought to be western Kenya until recently when reports of a new population in Mathew range of Samburu emerged. Surprisingly, this area lies East of the Great Rift Valley meaning that the satelite polpuation has been isolated for many years leading to speculation that it may exhibit genetic variations. The first survey on this satellite population was carried out last year and I will write posts in the coming days on the findings and the adventurous exploration of the remote forests of Samburu.

During the survey I gathered reliable reports of the de Brazza’s and guereza colobus’ sightings in the Leroghi and Ndoto forests reserves to the West and North of Mathews range respectively. I thought this leads were worth investigating and this year I embarked on an extensive survey of the over 21 sq. km Samburu District, an exciting but sometimes risky endeavour that I will share with you soon.

With very little information currently available on the six species in Leroghi, Ndoto, Mathews range and Mt. Nyiro Forest Reserves of Samburu, it is obvious that it would be impossible to initiate in-situ conservation activities. IUCN PSG also recommends further taxonomic and conservation status research on the endangered Mt Uarges guereza. My main aim this year was to determine the distribution and conservation status of all the six species concurrently in the four Forest – to save on time and costs, provide recommendations for in-situ conservation and avail baseline information for future studies and a planned primates monitoring initiative in collaboration with Milgis Trust. I have renown primatologist Tom B. to thanks for giving me this bright idea as I have now been able to collect valuable data on the six speceies on a very small budget and within a short time.

This blog will take you on adventures into northern Kenya’s amazing forests and plains where you will meet traditional Samburu forest people, and strange new animals. Karibu!

My work in Samburu would however not have been possible without the generous support from;