The distribution and abundance of the golden-rumped elephant-shrew Rhynchocyon chrysopygus in Kenyan coastal forests

Abstract

The most important site for the golden-rumped elephant-shrew Rhynchocyon chrysopygus is Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, providing 372 km 2 of protected habitat supporting over 20 000 individuals. While this species continues to occur in a number of other forest patches on the north Kenya coast, these are all very small (total area 27 km 2) and their continued existence is in doubt. The elephant-shrew is not restricted to true forest, also occurring in some scrub and degraded woodland habitats (covering less than 500 km 2), although usually at low densities. Boni Forest, north of Tana River, and small forest patches nearby, may provide additional habitat, but there is currently no information on the status of the golden-rumped elephant-shrew in this area. At the levels recorded in Arabuko-Sokoke, trapping and habitat modification resulting from pole cutting and selective tree felling, have little effect on elephant-shrew densities but high levels of both these factors probably account for the low densities recorded outside protected areas. While current evidence suggests that the species is not in immediate danger, the maintenance of Arabuko-Sokoke Forest is essential for its continued existence. Its present conservation status is considered to be threatened, on account of its restricted range, small isolated populations, and rapid loss of habitat.