Elephant shrew photo a wake-up call to conserve

Scientists in Kilifi county last month managed to photograph the globally endangered golden-rumped elephant shrew, which exclusively inhabits within the Dakatcha woodland in Magarini subcounty.

The elephant shrew, coincidentally, can be found at Lmagiro farm, thanks to the efforts of German resident Silvia Pirelli for the last 20 years.

It’s just an example of how, with proper conservation and planting of trees, rainfall and unique species at risk of extinction due to forest destruction can be safeguarded.

The photograph of the elephant ramped sengi (Rhynchocyon chrysopygus) that is on the IUCN Red List was taken using a camera trap set up by A Rocha Kenya conservation team north of Sabaki River estuary.

The animal, also known as a “sengi”, is the size of a rabbit and now lives within Dakatcha woodland forest, which is now heavily fragmented and reduced.

It’s not found in any other place in the world, only within the Dakatcha woodland forest, which is also endangered.

A Rocha Kenya director Colin Jackson said it was wonderful to confirm the presence of the unique species in the Dakatcha woodlands.

"Dakatcha is known for its rare birds, but photographing the golden-rumped Sengi in the A Rocha Reserve makes Dakatcha all the more important for conservation," he said.

Jackson said the species and its forest habitat should be celebrated and protected as much as possible by everyone in Kilifi county.

The animal, which is neither elephant nor shrew, gets its name from its long, flexible trunk-like nose.

For years, Jackson said, the animal was known to be found within Arabuko-Sokoke Forest and Gede Ruins.

However, recently, it was photographed for the first time north of the Sabaki River.

Jackson said scientists are surveying wildlife in the A Rocha Dakatcha Nature Reserve, Marafa, which has been set up specifically to protect the endemic sengi and rare Sokoke Scops Owl.

He said the golden-rumped Sengi are insectivorous animals who prey on earthworms, millipedes, beetles or termites by using their long nose to probe the leaf litter.

The A Rocha Kenya director said the Dakatcha woodland is undergoing a rapid change, which threatens its very existence.

Threats include illegal logging, charcoal burning and unregulated pineapple plantation expansion, which is destroying and degrading the unique forest habitat.

"A Rocha, alongside other conservation partners, is working to preserve this landscape against irreversible damage. Research, teaching in churches and schools about caring for creation and engaging with the community to build capacity forms the basis of A Rocha’s work," he said.

Local community conservation groups also could not hide their joy upon learning of the presence of the endemic species.

Samson Katisho, a community mobiliser at Mulunguni area within the Dakatcha woodlands, said the animal was found near his home.

“I am so proud to have confirmed the presence of this endemic species near my home,” he said.

The scientists believe there is little doubt local people have witnessed the golden-rumped Sengi in Dakatcha for many years, but confirming its presence through photographic evidence will give it further recognition in the science world.

"A Rocha encourages Kilifi county government to recognise the global value of its biodiversity and to include it as an integral part of the county’s development ambitions," Jackson said.

The Dakatcha Woodland is recognised internationally as a Key Biodiversity Area, but currently, it has no formal protection.

Uncoordinated and unsustainable development is putting at risk a number of unique species and habitats, which are only found on the coast of East Africa.