Examining the abundance and habitat use of golden‐rumped sengi (Rhynchocyon chrysopygus) in Arabuko‐Sokoke Forest in Kenya

Abstract

AbstractThe International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the golden‐rumped sengi (Rhynchocyon chrysopygus) as an ‘endangered’ species’. They are endemic to fragmented forests in eastern Kenya. Existing evidence indicates a decline in their population in Arabuko‐Sokoke Forest; however, these studies were conducted over a decade ago. This study assessed their abundance in three vegetation types. This study was conducted in the months of September, October and November in the year 2019. We used line transects in the forest types to locate nests and recorded the distances to the nests together with habitat variable measurements. We used (10 by 10 m) quadrats to obtain data on deadwood. We used line transect distance sampling to estimate sengi density and abundance. We employed linear regression models to examine the association between the number of nests per transect and deadwood volume, while means and proportions were used to examine the determinants of sengi nesting sites. The golden‐rumped sengi population was estimated to be 19,423. Besides, deadwood volume was not associated with nest site occurrence. Although findings from this study indicate an increase in the golden‐rumped sengi population from 12,750 individuals in 2009, continued monitoring is essential to inform conservation measures.