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SCIENCE SNIPPET: WILD DOGS – SOUTH AFRICA’S MOST ENDANGERED CARNIVORE
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”5468″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]Samantha Nicholson, Science Officer and African Lion Database Coordinator, EWT Conservation Science Unit
SamanthaN@ewt.org.za
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Across Africa, there are only an estimated 6,600 Wild Dogs that occur in the wild, making them the continent’s 2nd most Endangered carnivore behind the Ethiopian Wolf. In Africa, Wild Dogs inhabit only 14 of the 39 countries where they historically occurred, having lost approximately 93% of their historic range due to habitat loss and a rapidly expanding human population. Sadly, this species faces many other threats such as loss of prey, conflict-related killings, snaring and roadkill incidents.
In a recent published study (Nicholson, S. K., Marneweck, D. G., Lindsey, P. A., Marnewick, K. & Davies-Mostert, H. T. 2020. A 20-year review of the status and distribution of African Wild Dogs (Lycaon pictus) in South Africa. African Journal of Wildlife Research 50: 8-19.), we completed a national assessment of the status and distribution of South Africa’s population of Wild Dogs – the country’s most Endangered carnivore. We looked at two decades of population and distribution data for the species, from 1998 to 2017, and found some interesting results.
South Africa is considered to have three subpopulations of Wild Dogs:
1) The Kruger National Park
2) A managed metapopulation that has been established through reintroductions into isolated, fenced reserves across the country
3) A free-roaming population that occurs naturally outside protected areas – predominantly in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces.
For the study period, the Kruger population has generally averaged 163 adults and yearlings and although the population growth has declined slightly, the population has remained stable through the years. Kruger has consistently supported the highest proportion of the national population of Wild Dogs over the last two decades.
South Africa’s managed metapopulation is made up of a series of individual reserves with intensive management among the reserves, to ensure that there is genetic flow between them. This subpopulation is managed by the Endangered Wildlife Trust and the Wild Dog Advisory Group (WAG). The number of metapopulation reserves has increased over the years, and the average annual population is 108 adults and yearlings. The metapopulation is the only subpopulation that has increased significantly over time and this is due to intensive conservation efforts and the reintroduction of Wild Dogs into 15 additional reserves since 1998. The contribution of the metapopulation to South Africa’s national population has increased significantly over time.
Free-roaming Wild Dogs make up the smallest subpopulation in the country with an average annual population of approximately 79 adults and yearlings. This subpopulation faces the largest number of threats as it is largely unprotected and generally outside of protected areas.
The overall South African population of Wild Dogs has remained stable for our study period and while it is a small population (< 500 individuals), the good news is that it is increasing.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”5469″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes”][vc_single_image image=”5470″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1566891493571{margin-top: 8px !important;border-bottom-width: 6px !important;}”]
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GRASS-OWL SURVEYS PUT ON HOLD
Rebothile Rachuene, African Grass-owl Project Field Officer, EWT Birds of Prey Programme
TselaneR@ewt.org.za
The African Grass-owl Project has recently done its first pre-season nest check survey in the Mpumalanga province. Amidst the coronavirus pandemic, the project field officer, Rebotile Rachuene, was well prepared and took all the precautions to perform this much-needed survey at this time – the species’ peak breeding period. He was joined by the Wildlife and Transport Programme field officer, Innocent Buthelezi, who helped to look for the active nests in the thick, tall and dense grasses around the wetlands/vleis/water streams. A total of four key known breeding sites were targeted and searched intensively, looking for the nests. After a few hours of searching in these dense grasses, the team discovered two nests from two different territories. The first active nest to be discovered was from the 1km-long grass site which had one freshly laid egg of about four days old. The second, 4-egg nest was discovered from a separate territory and was estimated to be about ten days old. This is a very good start for the project for this season, with most known breeding sites being in a suitable condition to support nesting requirements. Apart from these exciting results from the survey, the team also observed around 20 Marsh Owl individuals in total from all four Grass-owl breeding sites. These are indeed the most critical sites for these two ground nesting owl species within the fragmented landscape of Mpumalanga province. For this season, the project is focusing on implementing its conservation measures which are driven by over a decade research data. Our main objective is to protect all the known breeding habitats against anthropogenic activities such farming, mining and development. A number of strategies to achieve this are planned, such as fire break maintenance around these habitats, offering protection against the fires which are often destroying over 60% of them. We are also aiming to trial the restoration of the African Grass-owl habitats which were lost through the land changes caused by opencast mining in the Mpumalanga province. For us to achieve most of these objectives, we will be engaging with lots of partners and stakeholders such as landowners and communities around these areas. While we will be working towards achieving this goal, we are monitoring approximately ten key breeding sites which have been secured for nesting for the past 3-6 years for the owls. We will also continue to monitor the breeding pairs, ring the fledglings for a dispersal study, and educate the communities about the importance of protecting these habitats for the benefit of the ecosystem and human beings. However, the current global COVID-19 situation and national lockdown has put our fieldwork on hold at this time, when the owls are actively nesting.
COLLABORATIVE CONSERVATION
Dr Joseph Mwangi, Kenya Country Coordinator, EWT African Crane Conservation Programme
JosephM@ewt.org.za
The African Crane Conservation Programme (ACCP) under the ICF/ EWT partnership, recently formalised their conservation partnership with local communities by signing conservation agreements. A conservation agreement is a formal voluntary partnership between conservation bodies and local communities geared towards conserving biodiversity while improving the quality of life for local communities. Grey Crowned Cranes in Kenya are predominantly found outside protected areas in wetlands surrounded by community lands. These community wetlands are critical habitats for Grey Crowned Crane survival, especially for breeding, but communities are also dependent on the ecosystem goods and services offered by these wetlands for their livelihoods.
The ACCP, in partnership with community members, is working to maintain the ecological integrity of wetlands in western Kenya as Grey Crowned Crane habitats, as well as contribute to communities’ wellbeing. Through this initiative, we aim to reverse the downward population trend in Grey Crowned Cranes, a species currently Endangered with a population that has declined by over 50% in 19 years (BirdLife International 2020). By signing the agreements, the ACCP, through its local Kenyan partner organisations Kipsaina Crane and Wetland Conservation Group and Community Action for Nature Conservation (CANCO) committed to assist the community groups establish income-generating alternative resilient livelihood options to reduce over reliance on wetlands as their main source of livelihoods.This was a culmination of a long community-led initiative facilitated by the ACCP to identify priority livelihood projects that can improve the economic wellbeing of the communities, and consequently decrease reliance on the wetlands. Identification of alternative livelihoods was through a community participatory process, with the ACCP only providing guidance and facilitation. All the projects were identified by community members and endorsed by conservation stakeholders in the region of implementation, local and national government. The ACCP signed conservation agreements with community groups neighbouring three key wetlands in Kenya of King’wal, Saiwa and Sio Siteko. These brought together 11 community groups with a total membership of 199 members (67 male and 132 females).
Through the partnership, community groups made conservation commitments to refrain from farming in the wetlands, report capture of Grey Crowned Cranes, and create a buffer zone between their farms and the wetland boundary by planting indigenous trees and other wetland friendly vegetation, while acting as crane ambassadors in their areas to educate others on the importance of wetlands and the threats facing Grey Crowned Cranes. In return, the ACCP agreed to:
- Assist three self-help groups located in Lower part of King’wal wetland in Nandi County start up a tea and tree nursery livelihood business,
- Assist four groups in upper King’wal wetland located in Nandi County and one group neighbouring Saiwa wetland in Trans Nzoia County start up beekeeping businesses, and
- Assist one community group bordering Aaiwa wetland, Trans Nzoia County and two groups neighbouring Sio Siteko wetland, Busia County to start up poultry keeping businesses.
The partnership is already showing results, with increased reporting of crane sightings and breeding records by local community members, cutting down of Eucalyptus trees along wetland boundaries and planting of Indigenous trees, and reporting of poaching incidences by community members.
SAVING LIVES WITH CAMERA TRAPS
Wendy Collinson, Manager, EWT Wildlife and Transport Programme
WendyC@ewt.org.za
The N3 Toll Concession (N3TC) started collecting records of animals killed on their roads in 2011, and as part of their ongoing safety programme began working with the EWT’s Wildlife and Transport Programme (WTP) to address the concerns they had in this regard. Since 2014, the WTP has provided training to their staff responsible for patrolling the N3 route and dealing with safety hazards such as dead animals on the road, analysing the data they have collected to date with a view to implementing actions to reduce the number of animals killed on their route; and, providing quarterly reports with directions for future work.As a result of our partnership, we have identified roadkill hotspots through the production of a roadkill sensitivity map, as well as publishing national guidelines to minimise the impacts of roads on wildlife. Of almost 2,500 roadkill data points received from N3TC, we have identified sections of the route where roadkill reports are highest and generated maps to highlight this.
From the roadkill hotspot sections of the route, we undertook site visits to assess areas where mitigation could take place through looking at existing road structures to determine how they benefit wildlife. We identified sites to deploy cameras rotated between different culverts / tunnels under the N3 in 2019, to determine which species occurred in the vicinity of, and which species actually used the crossing structures to move from one side of the road to the other.
Although these structures were mostly not built or erected for the express purpose of being wildlife passages, the hypothesis is that some structures will still fulfil this function. Currently there is little data available on the benefits of existing structures in South Africa that highlight areas where wildlife utilise crossings. Therefore, surveys will enable us to obtain a quick and cost-effective method of gaining a greater understanding of these benefits and propose appropriate recommendations to existing structures to address the threat of roads to wildlife. We have identified a number of species using these corridors, such as porcupine, mongoose and Serval. Based on data received from the camera traps, it is apparent that some species are definitely electing to use the structures beneath the road as safer options to cross the road, so we are now embarking on a project to actively direct animals towards the culverts under the road.
For small vertebrates (i.e. amphibians, reptiles and rabbit-size and smaller), low-level mesh fences have proven successful when added to the roadside verge to guide the individuals towards passages. Whilst this method is unlikely to prevent animals larger than a rabbit from crossing a road, it may aid in preventing scavenging by the meso-carnivores as well as owls or other birds of prey, since much of their prey should be prevented from crossing the road by the fence and ‘forced’ to use the culverts instead. This ultimately not only saves wildlife from becoming roadkill but can save human lives through preventing collisions resulting in vehicle damage, injury or death to vehicle occupants.
Watch this space for more updates and thank you to the route patrollers on the N3TC, Bakwena and TRAC N4 routes who continue to work during this difficult period to keep those working in the essential services and having to use roads safe!
LION CONSERVATION IN THE GREAT LIMPOPO TRANSFRONTIER CONSERVATION AREA
Marnus Roodbol, Lion Conservation Field Officer, EWT Carnivore Conservation Programme
MarnusR@ewt.org.za
The African Lion is an iconic species that represents strength and courage to many cultures around the globe. As a flagship and umbrella species, protecting Lions also protects the millions of animals that share their habitat. Despite their importance as apex predators and cultural significance, they are under threat. An estimated 200,000 lions once roamed across the African continent. Over the last hundred years, Lions have disappeared from 95% of their historic range. This has coincided with a severe decline in population. Only 23,000–39,000 mature individuals remained in Africa in 2015, and some estimates suggest that there may currently be as few as 20,000 individuals remaining. The main cause of this catastrophic decline is the loss of Lion habitat and prey caused by human expansion. Lions pose a risk to human livelihoods, particularly livestock farming, and to human life. This has caused people to kill Lions and other predators in retaliation for loss of property or out of fear. The historical landscapes once belonging to lions have swiftly disappeared into agricultural spaces, which brings forth new human-related conflict issues.
One of the most effective, and most destructive, methods used to kill Lions and other predators is poison. Pesticides such as Temik and carbofuran are freely available in local agricultural stores. They are used in across Africa to combat bacterial, fungal, and insect infestations in their crops. These pesticides don’t only kill insects. When carnivores kill livestock, farmers lace the livestock carcass with these poisons. While this is often highly effective in killing the offending Lion, it also kills large numbers of scavengers, including Leopards, hyaenas, jackals, and vultures. The impact on vultures and other raptors is particularly severe. According to records maintained by the EWT’s Vultures for Africa Programme, more than 1,200 vultures were poisoned across southern and East Africa in 2019. In late February 2020, more than 1,000 vultures, mostly the Endangered Hooded Vulture, died in a mass poisoning incident in Guinea-Bissau.
Wild Lion populations have faced numerous challenges during the last two decades. In addition to conflict with humans, Lion body parts have been used for centuries across the African continent to capture the strength and courage of the mighty Lion and cure various human bodily ailments. However, the trade of body parts in east and southern Africa was not as frequent before demand from Asia infiltrated into the local market, thus fuelling the demand and exposing free roaming populations to an increased threat of poaching for body parts. It is believed that this new demand originated as an offshoot of the tiger bone industry in Asia. As tiger populations dwindled, demand for a substitute species increased. The targeted poaching of Lions for their body parts is now on the rise as wildlife markets try to meet the demand for Lion parts from a growing human population in Africa and in the relatively new Asian markets. The pragmatic requirements of survival in rural communities that live in Lion range interact with traditional mythological and ceremonial perceptions of Lions. The desire to protect property and human life, to supplement meagre incomes, and for a rapidly growing population to participate in ancient traditions that use Lion body parts fuel the looming threat of widespread poisoning of Lions and severe impacts on entire ecosystems.
The Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA), which includes Kruger National Park, in South Africa, and Limpopo National Park, in Mozambique, is one of the last ten Lion strongholds in Africa. These strongholds occur in formally protected areas and contain a stable or increasing population of at least 500 Lions. Impoverished pastoral communities along the boundaries of this conservation area resort to illegally killing Lions both in retaliation for livestock losses and for the potential income they can earn by selling their body parts. Protecting this population of Lions requires a multi-pronged approach. We have partnered with Peace Parks Foundation (PPF) in Mozambique to address the targeted poisoning of Lions. We will monitor Lion prides across the landscape using GPS satellite collars. By understanding their movements and habitat use, we can inform anti-poaching patrols to better protect areas that are important to these prides. Through our Vultures for Africa Programme, we will also provide Poison Intervention Training for rangers in both South Africa and Mozambique so that first responders are equipped to safely protect evidence and decontaminate sites to reduce the impact of the poison on the ecosystem. Our Wildlife in Trade Programme will provide training to Mozambican customs officials that will enable them to identify the parts of Lions and other priority species and to distinguish them from similar legally graded species. Through PPF and their Herding 4 Health Programme, we will work with local communities to provide an early warning system when collared Lions approach communities. Finally, we are working with Freeland to identify and disrupt Illegal Wildlife Trade routes used to get Lion parts to both local and Asian markets. Protecting this critical and threatened Lion population requires evidence-based and culturally sensitive solutions. Over the next three years, we will work with our partners to develop these solutions and to stop targeted Lion poisoning in the GLTFCA.
This work is funded by the UK Government through the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund.
STRIDES IN PROTECTING RIVERINE RABBIT HABITAT
Cobus Theron, Manager, EWT Drylands Conservation Programme
CobusT@ewt.org.za
The EWT is making headway in formally protecting Riverine Rabbits through working with private landowners in the southern population of this Critically Endangered species. Though collaboration with CapeNature and private landowners, we are facilitating the process of declaring three privately owned farms totaling 11,500 hectares as Nature Reserves under the Provincial Biodiversity Stewardship Programme.
The latter is a formal process that is enabled by biodiversity legislation that allows provincial authorities and private landowners to enter into voluntary agreements to create formal protection for their farms. This means that these farms will be declared as formal nature reserves and have the same status as provincial or even national nature reserves.
All three farms are situated in the vicinity of the Anysberg Nature Reserve in the Western Cape and all three farms have Riverine Rabbit presence confirmed. We hope that the addition of these properties to the conservation network will enhance habitat and range protection for the Riverine Rabbits in the southern population. The southern population was only discovered in 2003. Compared to the northern population, individuals in the south are less restricted to the riparian areas and use the habitat more widely. While the EWT conducted some research on the southern population after its discovery, it only started to take concrete conservation action for this population in 2017, when it started to develop capacity to operate in this geographic space. We have developed a novel strategy for the conservation of the species in the northern population which will be implemented in 2020, and we will also start detailed investigations into the Baviaanskloof population this year to inform our conservation approach there.
We are very pleased that CapeNature has confirmed that all three properties qualify as Nature Reserves and we will now start to develop management plans for each farm in consultation with the landowners as is required by law and further pursue the declaration process.
Our aim is to create formal protection or enhanced land management (for the benefit of the species) in both the northern, southern and recently confirmed Baviaanskloof population by 2023. Since the vast majority of the species range is on privately owned land, we cannot achieve this goal without the help of landowners and farmers.
This ambitious goal is supported by the Rand Merchant Bank, The Global Environmental Fund (implemented by the United Nations Development Programme and the Department of Environmental Affairs), the Zoological Society for the Conservation of Species and Populations and a private donor.
