Iregi Mwenja

The distribution and conservation status of the endangered Mt Uarges guereza and the de Brazza’s and Sykes’ monkey in Mathews range, Leroghi and Ndoto forests of Samburu Kenya.

Iregi Mwenja in Leroghi forest searching for sykes' monkeys

Iregi Mwenja interviewing locals on presence of Sykes' monkeys at Ang'ata Nanyuki Leroghi forest Samburu Kenya

The four Forests Reserves of the Samburu district namely, Leroghi, Mathews range, Ndoto and Mt Nyiro are some of the least studied forests in Kenya. The few biodiversity surveys that have been done on the flora and fauna of the area have shown that its rich is biodiversity, high in endemism and have relatively stable population of Endangered fauna like elephants, wild dogs, grevy zebra, cheetah, Mt Uarges guereza among others. However, the least studied of the mammals and the most vulnerable due to habitat degradation and loss are the primates. The recent discovery of a satellite population of de Brazza’s monkey in Mathew rangein 2006 (generously funded by RSG), new reports of Sykes’ and Patas’ monkeys (currently under investigation) in Leroghi clearly attests to this.

Unfortunately, no primates’ research and conservation project have ever been established in Samburu hence these late discoveries and the poaching to near extinction of the Endangered Mt Uarges guereza. To help conserve this rare and important biodiversity, the Samburu Primates Research and Conservation Project was conceived as the first step in a long term conservation plan of these primates.

To protect this valuable biodiversity, the approach has been to collect baseline data that guide the initiation and implementation of in situ conservation activities. The multi-species survey approach has been employed to reduce on costs and time. The project’s overall aim is to protect the biodiversity of the region including its rare primates, not only by active field work studies and monitoring but also through introducing community based conservation initiatives, raise level of awareness, strengthening forest reserve management in the areas, generation of sustainable livelihood options for local communities and building the capacity of relevant stakeholders to manage their natural resources, thereby conserving the entire biodiversity of the region. This will improve the conservation status of the newly discovered De Brazza’s, Sykes’ and Patas’ monkey (new reports) and the Endangered Mt Uarges guereza and other Endangered species in Samburu.

For more information contact iregim@yahoo.com or go to www.samburumonkeys.wildlifedirect.org

Read about Iregi's previous RSG project http://www.ruffordsmallgrants.org/rsg/projects/iregi_mwenja or coverage of his RSG at http://samburumonkeys.wildlifedirect.org/2008/04/18/rsg-gives-4470-for-p...