Large population of Critically Endangered antelope found in threatened Kenyan forest

Pictures captured by scientists reveal hidden wildlife hotspot

July 2011. A previously unrecorded population of Africa's most critically endangered forest antelope has been found living in a highly threatened forest in Northern Kenya, scientists can reveal.

Conservationists are calling for the immediate preservation of the Boni-Dodori forest after camera traps set up by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), the Kenyan Wildlife Service (KWS), Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust (WWCT), National Museums of Kenya and the WWF discovered a new population of Aders' duiker (Cephalophus adersi), a very rare small forest antelope.

Largest known population

The camera trap images from revealed the world's largest known population of Aders' duiker, which, until these surveys, was only known to exist in diminishing forest patches on Unguja Island, Zanzibar and the Arabuko-Sokoke forest in coastal Kenya.

Over 3,300 images of the antelope were recently captured on 52 camera traps set up by researchers who recognised the distinctive animal by the white ‘wrap-around' band on its lower thigh and rich mahogany chestnut tone on its upper back.

Wild dogs, elephants and lions
The camera trap pictures also revealed important populations of a number of species such as African wild-dogs (Lycaon pictus), elephants (Loxodonta africana) and lions (Panthera leo), living in and around the bio diverse forest, which is currently under threat from rapid coastal and agricultural development.

New species of giant shrew
The scientifically significant snapshots come only months after the discovery of a potentially new species of giant sengi, otherwise known as an elephant-shrew (Macroscelidea), in the same area. The biodiversity of the forest is poorly understood due to security problems and poor infrastructure limiting access for scientists.

ZSL senior conservation biologist, Dr Rajan Amin said: "The significant Aders' duiker population in the Boni-Dodori is yet another important discovery, after that of a potentially new species of elephant shrew last year. This population is a lifeline for the critically endangered antelope, which until now was thought to exist only in tiny populations in coastal Kenya and Zanzibar. Given time and conservation action we could unearth even more new species in this isolated forest, but we are running out of time to stop the forest and its hidden secrets from being destroyed by rapid coastal development."

More rare species
Andrew Bowkett of WWCT added: "This forest is extremely bio diverse and is a very important area to conserve. We have also found other important populations of forest antelopes in the area including the Harvey's duiker (Cephalophus harveyi), Suni (Nesotragus moschatus) and the Blue duiker (Philantomba monticola) which was also not previously known to occur in the Kenyan northern coastal forests".

Dr Sam Andanje, Head of Ecosystem and Landscape Conservation at KWS, who is leading the national effort to conserve the forests, said "We will use the new information on Aders' duiker and other important findings from this research to work closely with key stakeholders to develop effective strategies to conserve and protect these areas."

The research paper A new population of the Critically Endangered Aders' duiker Cephalophus adersi confirmed from northern Kenya is published online in Oryx (The International Journal of Conservation) on Thursday 28 July. The ongoing research work is building on this initial study.

The Boni-Dodori Forest is situated on the Northern coast of Kenya. The biodiversity of northern coastal Kenya until recently has remained poorly understood. However, the wooded areas in the region have great potential for harbouring unique and rare species. Recent improvements in security has allowed systematic camera-trap surveys in the largest forest patches of over 2000 km2 within the Boni, Dodori and Lunghi reserves, which are between the Tana River and the Somali border. In addition to the new species of giant sengi, and the crucial Aders' duiker population, the known ranges of the rufous sengi (Elephantulus rufescens), four-toed sengi (Petrodromus tetradactylus) and Blue duiker (Philantomba monticola) have been expanded into the region. Both desert and common warthogs occur in the area along with important populations of African wild-dog (Lycaon pictus), elephant (Loxodonta africana), lion (Panthera leo), hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius), aardvark (Orycteropus afer) etc. The adjacent coastal strip is an important nesting site for three species of marine turtles.


The forests are home to the Boni people, indigenous hunter-gatherers, whose culture co-evolved with the forests, and who have recently received attention for their ability to find honey through whistled communications with the black-throated honeyguides. Their population has fallen from 20,000 in the 1950's to just 4,000. The Boni remain important users of forest resources, and retain important indigenous knowledge.

Now that security issues are improving in the area, there is an urgent need to instigate more active participation, protection, and integrated solutions for key ecosystem, wildlife and human wellbeing issues. Land clearance for agriculture, and unsustainable use of forest resources such as tree felling for charcoal, are ongoing problems. This is likely to significantly increase if massive development plans for a railway, a new deep water port and an airport on the near-by island of Lamu proceed.
Aders' duiker (Cephalophus adersi) is classed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and there are no individuals held in captivity. The antelope was formerly only known from the coastal forest of Zanzibar Island in Tanzania and the Arabuko -Sokoke forest, near Malindi in Kenya. Population estimates show that in the last 20 years the number of Aders' duikers has fallen by around
80% from 5000 individuals to around 1000, toofew to be sure of the continued survival of this species. The Aders' duiker is endangered due toloss of habitat and hunting; as the numbers have declined the habitat has also fragmented into isolated patches, further increasing the riskof extinction. The Aders' duiker is a conservationpriority in Kenya and ZSL and partners are supporting the work of the Kenya Wildlife Service
to protect this highly endangered animal


http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/aders-duiker.html