Family / Scientific name - Coastal Forests of Kenya and Tanzania

REMP Technical Report 44: Biodiversity Summary
2. Observations
Observations are made with the aid of a Petzel head torch with a halogen bulb. This torch picks
out eye shine that is reflected by nocturnal mammals. Once eye shine is spotted, a four cell
Maglite torch is used with binoculars (Zeiss DDR 10x50W), to obtain observations of the
animal(s). Notes are made of the height of the animals in the canopy, support use, general
behaviour and animal interactions.
3. Trap data
Chardonneret traps baited with fruit are used to capture galagos alive and sometimes bat nets are
used to catch trap shy species. Traps are checked every 4-6 hours, and animals are extracted by
hand without the need for anaesthesia. Biometric measurements are taken and tissue samples
(from the ear, using a biopsy punch) are collected for genetic analysis and stored in ethanol.
4. Population and ecological data
Night walks are conducted along pre-existing paths where possible to reduce noise and
disturbance. Galago sightings and/or calls are noted. From this, relative densities are estimated
by counting the number of galagos encountered over a measured distance. Given a known
distance from the path within which animals can be counted reliably and the distance sampled, it
is possible to estimate the number animals within that particular area. This estimate is usually
very approximate and is biased by such factors as; detection ability, variability in habitat and
moon phase. Only by intensively trapping and marking (preferably radio tracking) of animals
from a given known area can density estimates be properly made (Harcourt and Nash, 1986;
Bearder and Martin, 1979). Encounter rates per hour can also give an indication of relative
animals densities as well as activity rates under variable weather conditions and moon phases.
5. Any other data.
Other data collected opportunistically include; galago hairs, faeces and locating tree holes or nests
where the animals may live during the daytime.
Results
Galagos
Five species of galago were recorded from the study sites visited (see Table 1). A sixth species,
suspected to be the Senegal galago was recorded in the Selous game reserve near Sand Rivers
Safari camp. This observation requires confirmation.
Table 1. Galago records for the field sites visited south of the Rufiji River.
Species/Site Kichi Hills FR Nyamuete FR Kiwengoma FR
Garnett’s Galago
Present in Present in forest Present in forest
Otolemur garnetti
forest
Large Eared greater galago Not recorded Not recorded Present in Miombo
Otolemur crassicaudatus
woodland/ forest edge
Senegal galago
Not recorded Not recorded Not recorded
Galago senegalensis
Mohol galago
Galago moholi
Grant’s Galago
Galagoides granti
Zanzibar Galago
Galagoides zanzibaricus
Present
miombo
woodland
in Not recorded Not recorded
Present
forest
in Present in forest Present in forest
Not recorded Not recorded Not recorded
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