Samburu Monkeys

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