Mpanga/Kipengere Game Reserve - Frontier-publications.co.uk

Mpanga / Kipengere Game Reserve; A Biodiversity Survey
3.2 Fauna
• Sherman traps
Sherman traps (90mm x 80mm x 230mm) were used to survey the small mammal fauna of the reserve. At
each main camp 50 traps were set for 8 nights. During the dry season phase each satellite camp used 8 traps
which were set for 3 nights, whilst the wet season phase, teams used 25 traps for 4 nights. Traps were
placed within different habitats and micro-habitats at each ‘trapsite’ and detailed habitat notes and location
details were taken for each trap. Traps were baited with fried coconut and peanut butter and set before dusk
each day. In the highest altitude sites grass and bracken was put in the trap as an insulator for any animals
that might be captured. Traps were checked early in the morning and data regarding the capture of any
animals and details of the individuals involved was recorded on standardised data sheets. This included
preliminary identification, sex, weight, biometrics and pelage colour. If not taken as specimens, animals
were marked by clipping a small area of fur in a given pattern and released unharmed.
• Bucket pitfall drift fence
During the wet season phase of work, one bucket pitfall trap line with a drift fence was incorporated in to
the main zoological worksite. The aim was to try to target more systematically the amphibian and reptile
populations, as well as that of small mammals, in particular shrews. One 50m linear transect was created
whereby eleven 10 litre plastic buckets, spaced 5 m apart, were sunk into the ground with their rims flush
to ground level. A sheet of vertical plastic (approximately 0.5m high) was run along the bucket line
crossing the centre of each bucket to form a ‘drift fence’. Animals moving into the area from either side
would be channelled along the plastic towards the bucket traps. Traps were checked early each morning for
the duration of the trapsite period and data regarding the identification of each animal captured was
recorded on standardised data sheets.
• Animal sign transects
In order to survey larger and more cryptic animals, dung, tracks or other animal signs were recorded along
a 4m wide 200m long transect. Transects were arranged randomly throughout the reserve, starting in
representative habitats and following a bearing selected by throwing a stick and following the direction in
which it pointed. The bearing was kept using a compass and the transect completed in four 50m sections,
each temporarily demarcated by a length of rope. Data were recorded on standard recording forms that
included the altitude and habitat of all transects. (These transects doubled as those to survey signs of human
resource-use).
• Bat netting
Mist-nets were used to survey the bat fauna of the reserve. A variety of sizes of nets (3m, 6m, 9m and 12m
long) were erected in various formations, generally along predicted bat flight-paths such as animal paths,
rivers and streams. Detailed habitat notes and location details were taken for each net. Nets were opened at
dusk for varying lengths of time during which they were checked every 15 minutes. Data regarding the
capture of any animals and details of the individuals involved were recorded on standard recording forms.
This included preliminary identification, sex, weight, biometrics and pelage colour. If not taken as
specimens, animals were released unharmed.
• Bird survey
Bird surveys were conducted between dawn and dusk using a combination of sight, mist-nets and calls.
Binoculars (8 x 42mm) and telescope (20 x 60) were used in direct observations. A combination of up to
eight 9m and 12m long mist-nets were erected in various formations and opened from dawn until dusk for
two days at each study site. Nets were checked every 30 minutes and birds were released unharmed after
recording the identification, sex and age. No timed point-counts or transects were used. An ornithologist
was employed to implement these surveys and record all species identified. Casual lists were also collected
by the field team and have been added to the bird list produced by the ornithologist. These are clearly
marked as additional sightings in Appendix 9.
• Timed man-hour searches
The reptile and amphibian fauna of the reserve was surveyed through timed searches. Searches were
conducted during both the day and night and were of various lengths, with various numbers of survey
Frontier Tanzania Environmental Research Report 99
5