Journal of East African Natural History

Kim Monroe Howell: In Memoriam - 15 September 1945 - 1 October 2022

Benny Bytebier — 2023-04-15

No abstract

People, predators, practices and perceptions: Socio-economic implications of livestock predation by African large carnivores in Samburu county, northern Kenya

Titus Adhola — 2023-04-15

We conducted an attitudinal study on the socio-economic implications of human-carnivore conflict in an East African pastoralist landscape through a semi-structured questionnaire survey complemented by a locally organised community carnivore conservation workshop. We compared actual livestock predation rates by the large carnivores from a nine-year livestock predation dataset for Samburu County to perceived predation rates from our respondents. Our study revealed that perceived rates of livestock predation vis-à-vis actual rates of livestock predation by large carnivores in a modern pastoralist community setting are dissimilar. Even though community goodwill to embrace coexistence with wildlife persists, the perceived lack of equitable sharing of benefits from wildlife earnings nationally with local communities inadvertently reinforces negative views towards wildlife in general and carnivores specifically. Therefore, an increased participatory community approach in the management and conservation of wildlife needs to be addressed appropriately by policy makers for the benefit of the communities and wildlife.

Checklist of ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) species from Nyungwe tropical rain forest, South-Western Rwanda

Venuste Nsengimana — 2023-04-15

Tropical rain forests are inhabited by a wide range of plant and animal diversity. However, little is known about the diversity of ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) species in these areas. To fill the gap, a study has been conducted in seven sites inside Nyungwe National Park, a tropical rain forest located in South-Western Rwanda. Data have been collected in October 2021 through a quick sampling using pitfall traps, arboreal traps, baiting, Winklers, and hand searching of nests in leaf-litter, soil, rotten and fallen wood, and under stones. Collected ant specimens have been identified to subfamily, genus and species levels by using the identification keys. Names of species have been confirmed after comparing the findings with the specimens housed at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Science (Brussels, Belgium) and at Kiko Gomez’s personal collection (Barcelona, Spain). A total of 7 subfamilies, 28 genera and 74 species were sampled. The subfamily Myrmicicnae had more genera and species compared with other subfamilies. Further, 9 genera and 43 species were collected in Rwanda for the first time, while 13 species were potentially undescribed ant pecies. High number of species has been sampled in the sites located in secondary forest at Karamba (53 species) and Pindura (33 species). We recommend intensive sampling in other locations of Nyungwe tropical rainforest and in the rest of Rwanda mountain tropical rain forests to get a clear view on the diversity of ant species in Rwanda.

Birds of an extensive papyrus swamp in Uganda and their conservation

Micheal Kibuule — 2023-04-15

The delta of the Nile as it enters Lake Albert is part of a Ramsar site and supports 35 km² of papyrus swamp through which run channels of the river. For 12 months in 2017-2018, we made monthly bird counts, each of ten minutes, at 20 points along swamp edges. Overall, 143 species were recorded, of which 13 were particularly common in the papyrus, and a similar number along the channels. Of seven papyrus-restricted species observed, three are globally red-listed notably papyrus gonolek and shoebill. Most species are resident, but white-winged terns and several hirundine species were seasonally common. Our baseline counts should be repeated in future years as well as recording potential threats—climate change, oil and gas operations and other human activities. Most, but not all, of the Ramsar site is within Murchison Falls National Park, which is well-protected; if possible, the protection should be extended to the whole site

First records of two potentially invasive daisy (Compositae) species from Laikipia, Kenya

Kennedy W. Matheka — 2023-04-15

No abstract