Articles, Conference and Workshop Papers Collection

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Phylogeographic patterns of the greater cane rat (thryonomys swinderianus) populations from Eastern, Western and Southern Africa and implications for wildlife conservation
(Sage Journal, 2023-11-28) Kilwanila, Shadia I.; Lyimo, Charles M.; Rija, Alfan A.; Makundi, Rhodes H.
Background and aim: African Greater Cane (ACG) rat populations are widely distributed across Africa but the ancestral origin of populations inhabiting different geographical regions is unknown. There is currently no information available on the genetic dif- ferentiation of these populations resulting from long-time geographical isolation, environmental and anthropogenic pressures they face in each region. This limits our ability to understand potential speciation processes in AGC and their implications for their conservation and of other small wild mammals exposed to similar ecological conditions in the savannah biomes in Africa. Methods: We analyzed mitochondrial genes targeting the D-loop region of AGC samples from two blocks of the Eastern Arc Mountains in Tanzania (eastern), three agro-ecological zones in Ghana (western) and four sites in South Africa (southern) to characterize the phylogeographical patterns of the species. Results: AGC populations from Tanzania revealed higher haplotype diversity than those from the two other régions. Analysis of variance (AMOVA) revealed higher genetic variations within than between populations in all geographic regions. Demographic history analysis revealed a negative and significant Tajima’s D for a single southern African population as well as close relatedness with the Eastern Africa populations, suggesting a common ancestral origin. Conclusion: This is the first study to compare maternal lineages of AGC populations from eastern, western and southern Africa and provides a basis for future genetic studies of the species, its evolutionary ecology and the conservation of these populations across their range. Conservation implications: Evidence of recent population size expansion underpinned by high genetic diversity observed in the Uluguru urban (Tanzania) Guinea savannah (Ghana) and Kwazulu Natal (South Africa) populations suggest that the AGC populations are not currently threatened, consistent with the current IUCN status. Also, the distinct haplotypes observed in each region suggest that the populations can be managed as meta-populations, thus providing opportunities for potential local game-farming programs.
Rodent abundance, diversity and community structure in a bubonic plague endemic area, northern Tanzania
(De Gruyter, 2023-08-07) Kessy, Stella T.; Makundi, Rhodes H.; Sabuni, Christopher; Massawe, Apia W.; Rija, Alfan A.
Rodent-borne diseases such as bubonic plague remain a significant threat to public health in tropical countries. In plague-endemic areas, little information exists on the factors triggering periodic bursts, thus rendering preparedness strategies for preventing the negative impacts of the deadly zoonosis difficult. In this study, we assessed how species richness, diversity, and community structure of rodents are associated with plague persistence in Mbulu District, Tanzania. Rodent data were collected using the removal trapping technique. We captured 610 rodents belonging to 12 species, with Mastomys natalensis recording highest abundance. There was significantly higher abun- dance and species richness in persistent than non-persistent plague locality. Also, house premises recorded significantly lower species richness than farm and forest habitats. Addi- tionally, we found three broad rodent community structures that varied significantly between studied habitat types sug- gesting high rodent populations interaction at fine-scale resource abundance. The high abundance and diversity of plague-susceptible rodent reservoirs suggestively contribute to the plague persistence in the foci. These results may be useful to developing preparedness strategies in these areas to control plague outbreaks.
Does rodent management impact the distribution of rattus rattus and mastomys natalensis in village settings?
(International Society of Zoological Sciences, Institute of Zoology/Chinese Academy of Sciences and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd., 2025-09-02) Mkomwa, Herieth; Makundi, Rhodes; Rija ,Alfan A.; Espinaze, Marcela P. A.; Belmain, Steven R.; Telfer, Sandra; Ponchon, Aurore; Selemani, Mwajabu
Rodents are significant agricultural and public health pests in rural village settings. Traditional rodent control methods, such as poison baiting and locally made traps, are usually implemented by individual households when rodent abundance is high and often provide only short-term relief. Moreover, impacts on different pest species may vary, and changes to inter-specific interactions may have potential ecological consequences. This study examines the impact of community-wide daily trapping inside houses on the abundance and distribution of Rattus rattus and Mastomys natalensis in Kilombero District, Tanzania. In this area, R. rattus are typically found inside houses, while M. natalensis are found outside. Snap traps were deployed daily inside all houses in treatment villages, while control villages received no intervention. Rhodamine B (RhB) baits in exterior areas monitored the movements of rodents from these areas to houses. Intensive in-house trapping successfully reduced the abundance of R. rattus but not M. natalensis. M. natalensis increased its use of houses in treatment villages, with a significant rise in the proportion of individuals captured indoors and a significant increase in the proportion of these individuals that had consumed RhB compared to non- treatment villages. Our results suggest that M. natalensis benefits from the reduced presence of R. rattus by expanding its habitat use to include houses. These findings underscore the effectiveness of intensive trapping in controlling R. rattus but reveal potential ecological readjustments following community ecology principles, with habitat shifts by M. natalensis. This highlights the need for integrated, multi-species management approaches for sustainable rodent pest control.
Impact of contraceptive hormones on the reproductive potential of male and female commensal black rats (Rattus rattus)
(International Society of Zoological Sciences, 2021) SelemanI, Mwajabu; Makundi, Rhodes H.; Massawe, Apia W; Mhamphi, Ginethon; Mulungu, Loth S.; Belmain, Steven R.
The black rat is considered one of the world’s top pests. With increased restrictions on rodenticides, new alternatives to manage rats are urgently needed. Research on the use of contraceptive hormones, levonorgestrel (LE), and quinestrol (QU), have been evaluated against some rodent species, and this research is the first study to assess these on black rats. Hormones were incorporated into rodent bait at 10 and 50 ppm concentrations singly and in combination (EP-1). Groups of 10 animals of each sex were fed the baits over 7 days. Lower bait consumption was observed with slight body mass reductions. On dissection, it was observed that the uterus was in a state of edema and male reproductive organs weighed less with reduced sperm counts/motility. The 2 most promising baits, 50 ppm QU and EP-1, were used to assess impact on pregnancy and litter size. Pregnancy was reduced from 70% success when both males and females consumed untreated bait, down to 30% when males had consumed contraceptive bait but females had not, and down to 0% when females had consumed contraceptive bait, regardless of whether they had paired with a treated or untreated male. Litter size in the untreated pairs was 8 pups, but only 4 pups in those cases where the male only had consumed the contraceptive. Further studies should investigate how long the effect lasts and its reversibility. Field studies at the population level may also shed light on the practicality of using contraceptive baits for black rats in different habitats.
Rodent species composition, relative abundance, and habitat association in the Mabira Central Forest Reserve, Uganda
(Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, 2020-10-15) Ssuuna, James; Makundi, Rhodes H.; Isabirye, Moses; Sabuni, Christopher A.; Babyesiza, Waswa S.; Mulungu, Loth S.
A study was conducted in Mabira Central Forest Reserve in Uganda to determine rodent species composition, relative abundance, and habitat association. A total of 1,030 rodents belonging to 14 species were captured on 10,584 trap nights. Rodent species recorded include: Lophuromys stanleyi, Hylomyscus stella, Praomys jacksoni, Mastomys natalensis, Lophuromys ansorgei, Lemniscomys striatus, Aethomys hindei, Mus triton, Mus minutoides, Deomys ferrugineus, Gerbilliscus kempi, Rattus rattus, Grammomys kuru, and Hybomys univittatus. Overall, L. stanleyi (23.7%) was the most dominant species followed by H. stella, P. jacksoni, and M. natalensis. Species richness and evenness was highest in the regenerating forest habitat and least in the intact forest habitat. Rodent abundance was significantly affected by habitat type. The regenerating forest habitat had the highest number of animals, while the lowest numbers were observed in the depleted forest habitat. Species diversity was higher in regenerating forest habitat and lowest in the intact forest. The three habitats appeared distinct in terms of rodent species composition and there was a strong association between the two trapping grids in the same habitat type. All ordination plots showed that different rodent species consistently associated with distinct habitats. Habitat type and seasonal changes influenced rodent composition, relative abundance and habitat association. Composition of rodent community reflected the level of habitat degradation and can be used as a proxy for evaluating the biodiversity of lowland tropical forests.
Species composition and community structure of small pest rodents (Muridae) in cultivated and fallow fields in maize‐growing areas in Mayuge district, Eastern Uganda
(Wiley, 2019) Mayamba, Alex; Byamungu, Robert M.; Makundi, Rhodes H.; Kimaro, Didas N.; Isabirye, Moses; Massawe, Apia W.; Kifumba, David; Nakiyemba, Alice; Leirs, Herwig; Mdangi, Mshaka E.; Isabirye, Brian E.; Mulungu, Loth S.
1. Pest rodents remain key biotic constraints to cereal crops production in the East African region where they occur, especially in seasons of outbreaks. Despite that, Uganda has scant information on rodents as crop pests to guide effective management strategies. 2. A capture–mark–recapture (CMR) technique was employed to study the ecology of small rodents, specifically to establish the species composition and community structure in a maize‐based agro ecosystem. Trapping of small rodents was conducted in permanent fallow land and cultivated fields, with each category replicated twice making four study grids. At each field, a 60 × 60 m grid was measured and marked with permanent trapping points spaced at 10 × 10 m, making a total of 49 trapping points/grids. Trapping was conducted monthly at 4‐week interval for three consecutive days for two and half years using Sherman live traps. 3. Eleven identified small rodent species and one insectivorous small mammal were recorded with Mastomys natalensis being the most dominant species (over 60.7%). Other species were Mus triton (16.1%), Aethomys hendei (6.7%), Lemniscomys zebra (5.2%), Lophuromys sikapusi (4.8%), Arvicanthis niloticus (0.9%), Gerbilliscus kempi (0.1%), Graphiurus murinus (0.1%), Steatomys parvus (0.1%), Dasymys incomtus (0.1%), and Grammomys dolichurus (0.1%). Spatially, species richness differed significantly (p = 0.0001) between the studied field habitats with significantly higher richness in fallow land compared with cultivated fields. 4. Temporally, total species richness and abundance showed a significant interaction effect over the months, years, and fields of trapping with significantly (p = 0.001) higher abundances during months of wet seasons and in the first and third year of trapping. In terms of community structure, higher species diversity associated more with fallow field habitats but also with certain rare species found only in cultivated fields. 5. Synthesis and applications. Based on these findings, management strategies can be designed to target the key pest species and the most vulnerable habitats thus reducing the impact they can inflict on field crops.
Effects of forest disturbance on the fitness of an endemic rodent in a biodiversity hotspot
(Wiley, 2021) Ademola, Olaoluwa John; Broecke, Bram Vanden; Leirs, Herwig; Mulungu, Loth S.; Massawe, Apia W.; Makundi, Rhodes H.
Praomys delectorum occurs abundantly in both disturbed and intact forests in the Ukaguru Mountains within the Eastern Arc Mountains (EAM), Morogoro, Tanzania. While previous studies have reported that anthropogenic disturbances such as grazing, wood cutting, and harvesting have a positive effect on the population density of P. delectorum, the impact of habitat disturbance on its demographic traits is still unknown. We performed a capture–mark–recapture study in both disturbed and intact forests from June 2018 to February 2020 in order to investigate the effects of habitat disturbance on abundance and two demographic traits: survival and maturation of P. delectorum in the Ukaguru Mountains. We found no variation in abundance or maturation between intact and disturbed forests, but habitat type did affect survival. However, this effect was sex-dependent since female survival was higher in disturbed forests, while male survival remained similar across the two forest types potentially due to differences in predation pressure or food availability between the two habitats. Continuous demographic monitoring of P. delectorum in EAM is necessary given that the increasing human population surrounding the landscape is lead- ing to higher deforestation rates and expansion of the pine plantation in the forest reserve.
Ecological health assessment of Lukosi River using macroinvertebrate and riparian vegetation indicators in Iringa, Tanzania
(Water Institute, 2025-12-30) Nyagongo Ahmad Adam; Ndibalema Vedasto Gabriel; Lalika Makarius Christian Sengilinga
The health of river ecosystems is increasingly threatened by human activities such as agriculture, urbanization, and industrialization. This study evaluates the ecological status of the Lukosi River Catchment (LRC) in Kilolo District, Iringa, Tanzania, using macroinvertebrates and riparian vegetation as bioindicators. We employed a cross-sectional design, sampling at upstream, midstream, and downstream sites. Macroinvertebrates were collected via the kicking-bottom method and analyzed using the Shannon–Wiener diversity index and the Average Score Per Taxon (ASPT). Riparian vegetation was surveyed through belt transects and assessed by species distribution and proportional cover. Fourteen macroinvertebrate taxa were identified, dominated by water scavenger beetles and snails. Biodiversity was moderate (H′ ≈ 1.98). ASPT scores declined spatially: upstream (good quality), midstream (moderate), and downstream (poor), indicating worsening water quality downstream. The riparian zone was heavily modified: about 58% grasses, 28% shrubs, and 14% trees, reflecting human disturbance and land-use change. The results reveal progressive ecosystem degradation along the river, strongest downstream, likely driven by pollution and catchment alteration. These results call for integrated catchment management policies, stricter land-use regulation, and community-based riparian restoration programs to enhance water quality, biodiversity, and long-term ecological resilience of the LRC.
Community’s knowledge of the effects of illegal hunting and trade in Western Nyerere National Park Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2024) Foya, Yohani Rovetha
Illegal bushmeat hunting is now a prominent problem in many regions of the world owing to the ecological, socioeconomic, and human health repercussions. In regions of Africa, particularly Tanzania, illicit bush-meat hunting and trading is responsible for a substantial drop in wildlife populations, a loss of government revenue, and employment opportunities, all of which cost conservation and expose people to zoonotic diseases. Despite the threats posed by illegal hunting activities, the phenomena are prevalent among individuals of the groups investigated. This calls our attention to assessing community understanding of illicit hunting activities and its consequences to conservation and public health. Specifically, this study aimed to (i) assess the knowledge of communities on the impacts of illegal bushmeat hunting and trade; (ii) assess the knowledge of communities on the potential health risks associated with handling and or consumption of wildlife products; and (iii) identify key species hunted for bushmeat and determine the spatial and temporal pattern of bushmeat hunting and trade. We employed key informant interviews and household surveys in eight (8) villages adjacent to the western part of Nyerere National Park. Generalized linear model (GLM) with Binomial error distribution was used to analyse the data. According to our results, a majority of local inhabitants recognise the impacts of illegal hunting, with around 84% realising that unregulated hunting may diminish wild species and negatively impact their socioeconomic livelihoods. More than half of the locals were unaware of the potential health risks associated with consuming and handling wildlife products. Our research also indicated that illegal hunting is more common during the rainy season than dry season. We found that, the spatial network of illegal bushmeat varies from origin site to destinations. Amongst the common hunted species, Hippopotamus (61%), Buffalo (56%) and Hartebeest (52%) are more vulnerable to illegal hunting. This study established the knowledge of the local communities towards the impacts of bushmeat hunting which is essential in developing effective conservation and public health education programs. Nonetheless, our study emphasizes on specific and general anti- poaching strategies in curbing the illegal hunting in areas adjacent to protected areas.
Uncovering the identity of the living laboratory: a combined approach of COI gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the African giant pouched rats
(Tanzania Veterinary Journal, 2022) Ngalameno,M. K; Luziga,C
The African giant pouched rats belongs to the genus Cricetomys and they are exploited to aid the detection of landmines in landmine affected areas in different countries, and for diagnosing pulmonary tuberculosis in health laboratories. These rats are usually captured within Morogoro Tanzania and trained at Sokoine University of Agriculture before deploymemt for actual action. However there is a dearth of information on the taxonomy and phylogeny of Cricetomys species occurring in Tanzania. This study used phenotypic appearance, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and sequensing of cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene from one hundred and twenty African giant pouched rats trapped from the wild to characterize and identify the phenotypes and identity of the rats. Two groups were identified based on colour of the pelage; the grey group 68% (n=82) and brown group 32% (n=38). The phylogeny and molecular evolutionary analyses revealed the maximum nucleotides homology of 100% and minimum of 97.3% with Cricetomys gambianus despite the differences in their pelage colour. This study identified the esistence of Cricetomys gambianus species as a dominant species in Morogoro Municipality.
The pattern of reproduction in the African giant pouchedrat, Cricetomys gambianus, from Tanzania: unravelling the environmental triggers for breeding
(Canadian Science Publishing, 2024) Ngalamenoa,M.K; Luziga,C; Hart,D.W; Bennettd,N.C
Our research represents the first extensive study of the breeding behaviour and related environmental triggers of reproduction in the African giant pouch rat (Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse, 1840) in and around the equator throughout a whole year. We measured the gross morphology and detailed histology of both female and male rats, along with plasma steroid hormone levels. Contrary to other tropical-dwelling small mammals, the African giant pouch rat is a seasonal breeder; however, rainfall is not to be the primary cue of reproduction. Our study suggests that ambient temperature and photoperiod are the primary environmental cues of reproduction, with breeding occurring during the cooler months of the year, namely in the dry season. During the wet and hot season, which succeeds the dry season, there is an increase in the availability of quality food, which results in nursing mothers and weaned pups achieving a positive energy balance and increased body condition. This, in turn, increases pregnancy success and offspring survival. Climate change, particularly global warming, could harm the reproduction of African giant pouched rats as rising temperatures in and around the equator, including Tanzania, may impact their circannual reproductive cycle
Spatial-temporal variations in dietary consumption of two dominant rodent species (Rhabdomys Dilectus and Lophuromys Acquilus) on Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
(MDPI, 2022-08-16) Thomas, Suzana M.; Soka, Geofrey E.; Mulungu, Loth S.; Makonda, Fortunatus B. S.
Understanding the resource partitioning and diet of sympatric species is vital for conser- vation and management. From April 2020 to March 2021, a study on the dietary consumption of Rhabdomys dilectus and Lophuromys acquilus was conducted on Mount Kilimanjaro. Rodent trapping was conducted in agricultural fields, fallow land, and moorland habitats during dry and wet seasons. Sherman live traps and snap traps were alternately placed in transect lines for three consecutive nights. We calculated the percentage occurrence and contribution of dietary items, niche breadth, and niche overlap of the two species across habitats and seasons. Both species consumed all the examined food items. The most abundant components were vegetative materials and seeds/starch, followed by invertebrates. R. dilectus and L. acquilus preferably consumed seeds and invertebrates, respectively, as their primary food source. Niche breadth differed significantly between species (W = 650, p = 0.002), habitat (Kruskal–Wallis chi-squared = 6.82, df = 2, p = 0.03), and season (W = 700, p = 0.000). There was a considerable niche overlap in diet (ranging from 0.84 to 0.98) between the species and was relatively higher in the dry season compared with wet season. Despite the observed niche overlap, spatial-temporal variations in dietary consumption between the two species can serve as a mechanism of resource portioning enabling their coexistence.
Serological survey of leptospira spp. in livestock and rodents from different settlements in the kilombero wetland, Tanzania
(Pathogens, 2024-11-25) Selemani, Mwajabu; Makundi, Rhodes H; Massawe, Apia W; Katakweba, Abdul S
Background: The circulation of Leptospira has been linked to various occupational activities globally. This study investigated the seroprevalence of Leptospira spp. in rodents and livestock (cattle and goats) in three settlements/villages involved in agriculture, livestock keeping, and mixed agriculture and livestock in the Kilombero district, Tanzania. Methods: Data were collected dur- ing the wet and dry seasons. A total of 179 rodents were live-captured from selected habitats. Livestock samples were collected from 80 cattle in a livestock settlement and 120 goats from both livestock and mixed agricultural–livestock settlements. The microscopic agglutination test was utilized to identify Leptospira serovars. Results: The seroprevalence of Leptospira spp. was 17.3% in rodents (21.7% in Mastomys natalensis and 3.9% in Rattus rattus) and 8.3% in livestock (13.5% in cattle and 12.6% in goats). The prevalence among rodents and livestock differed between settlements (p = 0.01). A higher prevalence was observed among rodents in the agricultural settlement relative to the other settlements. A higher prevalence of antibodies in livestock was observed in the live- stock settlement compared with the mixed agricultural–livestock settlement. The Leptospira serovars Sokoine (serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae) and Hebdomadis (serogroup Hebdomadis) were detected in both rodents and livestock. The serovars Hardjo (serogroup Sejroe) and Gripothyphosa (serogroup Gripothyphosa) were found exclusively in cattle, whereas the serovars Pomona (serogroup Pomona) and Lora (serogroup Australis) were identified in rodents. Leptospira antibodies were found to be elevated during the rainy season compared with the dry season (p = 0.05) in all settlements, with the exception of rodents in the mixed agricultural–livestock settlement. Conclusions: This study demon- strates the presence of anti-Leptospira antibodies in rodents and livestock related to occupational activities in human settlements. It further demonstrates that wild animals (rodents) and livestock are reservoirs of Leptospira and are important in the epidemiology of leptospirosis. Management and control strategies should target both rodents and livestock.
Reconsidering human-wildlife conflicts in communities around wildlife protected areas of Tanzania
(African Journal Online (AJOL), 2008-02-21) Maganga, S. L.; Tarimo, T. M.; Magayane, F. T.; Senkondo, E. M.; Kideghesho, J. R.
Tanzania has a number of wildlife protected areas (WPAs), surrounded by rural communities undertaking various socio-economic activities. These communities are constantly in conflict with wildlife because of the damage they cause. Surveys in some WPAs indicate that the damages of major concern include crop predation and attacks to people and livestock. These damages have social and economic implications to communities in terms of food security. This situation has existed for long without any satisfactory ways of addressing it. Recently, Community-Based Wildlife Conservation (CBWC) through established Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) has been envisaged as an approach to mitigate the conflicts. This approach is still under experimentation in Africa. However, there are indications that it may not be a plausible solution instead it may worsen the problem. Moreover, CBWC is feasible only where WPAs are large enough to establish WMAs. Another complication is that the wildlife policy clearly states that there is no intention of introducing a compensation scheme for wildlife based damages. It is high time this problem is reconsidered for example by instituting a compensation scheme. This would help the poor rural communities who bear the cost of wildlife conservation.
Microhabitat, altitude and seasonal influence on the abundance of non-volant small mammals in Mount Rungwe forest nature reserve
(Elsevier B.V., 2022) Richard, Upendo; Byamungu, Robert Modest; Magige, Flora; Makonda, Fortunatus B.S.
A study on microhabitat, altitudinal and seasonal influences on small mammal abundance in Mount Rungwe Nature Forest Reserve, Tanzania was carried out from March 2019 to February 2020 during the wet and dry seasons. Live traps were used in six grids and six transect lines for capturing small mammals at the low, mid, and high elevations (1700–2600 m.a.s.l.). Generalized linear models were used to examine the effects of microhabitat characteristics, altitude, and seasons on the relative abundance of small mammals. A total of 444 rodents and shrews were recorded on 4320 trap nights. Rodent species recorded included Beamys hindei, Cricetomys ansorgei, Dendromus insignis, Grammomys ibeanus, Graphiurus murinus, Lophuromys machangui, Praomys delectorum, and one shrew, Crocidura sp. Overall, P. delectorum was the most dominant species in all elevations, with 68.9% of all captures. Mid elevation had a higher abundance of small mammals (Estimate ± SE = 1.17 ± 0.49, Z = 2.37, p = 0.0176). Species abundance was influenced differently by elevation. While P. delectorum decreases with increasing elevation, L. machangui increases with an increase in elevation. Although overall small mammal abundance was not affected by microhabitat variables (Estimate ± SE = − 0.08 ± 0.13, Z = − 0.67, p = 0.5050), individual species (P. delectorum and L. machangui; Estimate ± SE = 0.13 ± 0.06, Z = 1.95, p = 0.05 and − 0.31 ± 0.09, Z = 3.34, p = 0.0008 respectively) were affected differently. While P. delectorum abundance showed a positive correlation and increased with an increase in PCA1 in GLM, L. machangui had a negative trend that shows they were affected differently. Small mammal abundance, on the other hand, was affected by season and, in particular, rain, with low abundance during heavy rains and dry cold periods (Estimate ± SE = 0.51 ± 0.14, Z = 3.6, p = 0.0003 and 0.3 ± 0.15, Z = 2.08 p = 0.04 respectively). In general, the results show that microhabitat parameters, elevation, and season influenced small mammals’ abundance in MRFNR. This outcome indicates that altering the microhabitat could have an impact on the small mammal assemblage and particularly their abundance. Thus, microhabitat, elevation, and season influence small mammal abundance and can be used as a proxy for evaluating the biodiversity of montane tropical small mammal communities.
The essence of wildlife crimes and associated effects on wild animals’ protection in Tanzania – legal perspective
(Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation, 2022) Boniphace, M.
Conservation challenges have surfaced in Tanzania for decades. Several researches have revealed the causes, each research taking own perspective. This article discusses conservation challenges in legal perspective. The article reveals the manner crimes against wildlife initiate human induced wildlife conflicts, but humans have legal ambits to justify their actions. The article uncovers several acts the law permits whilst the same are triggering misery over wildlife. The article discovers environmental crimes posed by humans’ development demands. Yet, humans refuse to acknowledge the situation and camouflage in attributing their ill actions to wildlife by twisting the situation as “human-wildlife conflicts”. The article recommends that, it is technically improper to capacitating wildlife to commit crimes. Particularly, wildlife are the victims of unjust and pre-meditated human actions. In this review, content and thematic analysis used to interpret an in- depth aspects of wildlife law(s). It is concluded that, whilst the law recognizes wildlife in two facets; wild animals and their habitats, and requires the protection of both, there are human-wildlife common interests which the law has not been able to safeguard inter se and thus trigger crimes against wildlife. There is need for suitable laws in the wildlife sector to safeguard wildlife.
Legal reflection on spurring wildlife investments whilst embracing wild animals conservation in Tanzania
(International Journal of Advanced Research, 2023) Bonephace, Mectrida
Tanzania is diversifying wildlife investments. The Special Wildlife Investment Concession Area, (the SWICA) is set aside. The regulations to achieve the purpose are in place.The regulations enlighten on the procedures of carrying out investments within the SWICA. This paper reviewson this new investment scheme;whether itwill spare the ecosystem, specifically, the safety and survival of wild animals.The invited investments activities connote disturbance on the lives of wild animals. This paper observes that, the cumulative promulgation of the regulations threatens the life of wild animals. The apprehension of ecosystem disturbances in the SWICA is too wide to connote probable security on the lives of wild animals. Moreover, the avenues for some actors to excises “their wisdom,” aside of the regulations may invite unnecessary difficulties between the investors and the authority. Lastly, wild animals are likely to suffer a significant prejudice if investments in the SWICAs get through.
Effects of habitat heterogeneity on rodent community ecology in West mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2023-11) Thomas ,Suzana Mei
EXTENDED ABSTRACT Mountainous regions in Sub-Saharan Africa have high diversity of rare and endemic small mammals. Mount Kilimanjaro is among the well-known biodiversity hotspots in the world. Variations in vegetation and climate along the altitudinal gradient of Mt Kilimanjaro create distinct habitats with unique conditions which support high diversity and endemism of small mammals. Rodents are widely distributed small mammals inhabiting a variety of habitats. They are considered ecosystem engineers through burrowing, pollination, and seed dispersal hence they can act as ecological indicators of ecosystem health. However, most rodents are crop pests and reservoir of zoonotic pathogens. Studies on community ecology have reported that, rodent community is directly influenced by many factors like vertical and horizontal vegetation structure, anthropogenic activities, seasonality, predation, inter and intra specific competition, as well as disease and parasites. Understanding rodent diversity, species composition and the ecological interaction in a community is crucial for conservation and management of target species. Mount Kilimanjaro has high diversity of small mammals, however, climate change and increasing anthropogenic activities mainly cultivation and expansion of forest plantations particularly in west Kilimanjaro pause a challenge to conservation of small mammals. In recent decades, research on small mammals including rodents on Mt Kilimanjaro has been seriously ignored. Few existing studies were mainly based on short term surveys that provided a list of rodent species, composition and abundance. The studies did not fill in the gaps on breeding activity, population fluctuations, home range size, survival
Behavioural activities of two sympatric bird species and implications for Conservation and birding tourism in an urban landscape
(Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation, 2021) Dismas, S.S; Mbilu, J.A.; Rija, A.A
The behaviours of most Afro-tropical birds inhabiting urban landscapes are still poorly understood making species conservation and utilization challenging particularly in increasingly changing cityscapes. This study investigated activity patterns of two sympatric bird species, the Zanzibar red bishop (Euplectes nigroventris) and Black- headed weaver (Ploceus cucullatus) inhabiting urban forest remnants to provide information to improve species conservation and potential plans for avitourism in urban Morogoro, Tanzania. A total of 60 individual Zanzibar red bishop and 28 individual weaver birds were observed, for three weeks to understand their diel activity patterns. Eleven activities were displayed by the birds with the mean time budgets for some activities varying significantly between species, bird sex and habitat types. Further, birds spent significantly longer time during morning than afternoon or evening on most activities probably to offset the energy demands for the survival and reproduction. Variation in activity budgets between the two species was probably due to the species intrinsic strategies such as group foraging by the weaver that enhance easy detection and access to the food resources. These data will be useful for planning bird conservation and utilization programs especially in cities where birds are increasing threatened by human persecution
Human and landscape factors influencing lion mortalities in the maasai steppe ecosystem, northern Tanzania
(Tanzania Journal of Forestry and Nature Conservation, 2021) Soka, G; Lyimo, J
The demography of the African lion is increasingly shaped by interactions with humans. Habitat fragmentation and persecution by humans are both linked to the decline in lions in most of their historical ranges such that current populations are largely restricted to isolated protected areas. This study examined the spatial and temporal patterns of lion killings in the Maasai steppe ecosystem. We used eighty-two lion mortality records for the last 13 years (2005 - 2017). Distances from the roads, river, lake, settlements, and the Normalized difference vegetation index value extracted for each lion killing location were the key landscape variables used to map the lion anthropogenic mortalities. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) between female and male lions killed from 127 mortality records. The anthropogenic retaliatory killing caused 77.9% of female and 22.1% of male mortalities. About 58% of the lions killed were adults, 39.1% were sub-adults and only 2.9% were cubs. The majority of lion killings incidences took place during the wet season around the Maasai homestead. The lion killings incidences were rampant in the eastern side but slightly clustered in the northern part. Vegetation cover in the actual lion killings areas influenced lion killings incidences. Distances from the public roads, rivers, and human settlements significantly (p<0.05) contributed to lion anthropogenic mortalities. It is anticipated that retaliatory killings of lions could intensify due to growing cattle herds in the ecosystem. To promote coexistence between humans and lions, conservation authorities should invest more in awareness and sensitization programs on the conservation of lions.

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