Family / Scientific name - Coastal Forests of Kenya and Tanzania

REMP Technical Report 44: Biodiversity Summary
10.2 Appendix 2: Galago and nocturnal mammal surveys within the Rufiji
Environmental Management Project area.
Survey Report
Andrew Perkin
Nocturnal Primate Research Group,
Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK.
Current address: C/o Tanzania Forest Conservation Group,
P.O. Box 23410, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Email: bwanakomba@yahoo.co.uk
SUMMARY
Surveys for galagos and other nocturnal mammals were conducted in the forests of the
Kichi Hills proposed district forest reserve, Mtanza/Msona proposed village forest
reserve, Nyamuete forest reserve and Kiwengoma forest reserve. These reserves fall in
the project area of the Rufiji Environment Management Project (REMP). At least six
species of galago were recorded in these areas, which reflect the variety of habitats and
the biodiversity values of the area. Two of the galago species are coastal forest endemics.
Records of other mammal, reptile and birds species are also presented. General
observations and discussions with local people highlighted the main threats to the Kichi
Hills which are; forest clearance for unsustainable agriculture, fire, and logging. The new
road built from Utete to the Selous Game Reserve was seen as a problem due the full
clearance of a significant area of forest. It will also lead to increased pressure on the
forests by attracting more cultivators and by facilitating access to the area for loggers. It
is recommended that the road be used positively to promote the conservation of the Kichi
Hills forests, for example by the establishment of a nature trails or the posting of sign
boards with environmental messages on them.
Aim
To conduct surveys for nocturnal mammals particularly galagos in Mtanza/Msona, Kichi Hills,
Nyamuete and Kiwengoma Forest Reserves and in the bordering woodlands, all being within the
Rufiji Environmental Management Project (REMP) area.
Background
Galago research and taxonomy
Galagos or bushbabies (super family: Lorisiformes; Sub-family: Galagonidae,), exhibit crypsis
(lack of visual distinctiveness) and as a result their taxonomy has long been contentious.
Additionally, they exhibit an extremely wide, continuous distribution across sub–Saharan Africa
and utilise a multitude of different habitats (including woodlands, forests and wooded
savannahs). Their inherent crypsis and ecological variation makes the galagos an ideal study
90