Dinder National Park Research Articles

Feeding, resting, and the walking patterns of marabou’s behavior (leptoptilos crumenifer) in Galagu Camp, Dinder National Park (DNP), Sudan

The article describes a study carried out to determine the feeding, walking, and resting behavior of the marabou stork Leptoptilos crumenifer in Dinder National Park, Sudan. The study used sampling methods to observe birds at ten-minute intervals during four observation times per day from March to April 2022. The study found that birds spend most of their daily time at rest, followed by behavior to feed. The dominant daily activity was resting, which occurred mainly from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, while active eating occurred from 5:00 am to 6:00 am, followed by 10:00 am to 11:00 am and 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. walking activity was observed mainly at 10:00-11:00 and 5:00- 6:00 pm. The study recommended further research on the behavior of L. crumenifer, as the period studied was short. The feeding of L. crumenifer and other animals in the park by people must stop to protect the future survival of these species. Overall, the study provides insights into the behavior of marabou storks and highlights the importance of their conservation and management.

Abundance of larger mammals in Dinder National Park, Sudan

Abundance of larger mammals in Dinder National Park, Sudan

Storks' Diversity, Flock Characteristic, Roosting Ecology and Fluctuation in Numbers in Some Mayas at Dinder National Park, Sudan, During the Dry Seasons 2009 and 2010

Storks were studied by directly observing them in the Maya(meadow) ecosystem of Dinder National Park (DNP) during the dryseasons of 2009 and 2010. The objective was to determine their diversity,flock characteristics, roosting ecology and the annual fluctuation in theirnumbers. The numbers were ascertained by the double samplingprocedure in which the number of each stork species in a flock wasestimated and was then directly counted. A predictive model wasdeveloped from the relationship between the counted and the estimatedvariables. Subsequently, the number was only estimated and the actualcount was predicted from the regression model. The tree density wasdetermined by the nearest neighbour method. The crown diameters of thetrees were measured, and the crown areas were calculated. Eight speciesof storks; namely, the black (Ciconia nigra), the white (Ciconia ciconia),the Abdim’s (Ciconia abdimii), the yellow-billed (Mycteria ibis), theAfrican open bill (Anastomus lamelligerus), the woolly-necked (Ciconiaepiscopus), the marabou (Leptoptilos crumeniferus) and the saddle bill(Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis), occurred in DNP. The black and thewhite storks are Palearctic migrants, whereas the Abdim's, the woolly-necked, the African open bill and the yellow-billed are local migrants; themarabou and the saddle bill are resident. The three species that occurredin large flocks were the yellow-billed, the marabou and the open bill. Thetotal number of storks in 2010 was lower than that in 2009. This declinewas attributed to severe drought that struck the DNP in 2010.

Feeding/ Resting Behavior of Marabou Stork (Leptoptilos Crumenifer) in Galagu Camp, Dinder National Park (DNP), Sudan

Feeding/ Resting Behavior of Marabou Stork (Leptoptilos Crumenifer) in Galagu Camp, Dinder National Park (DNP), Sudan

The Effects of Pitfall Trap Spacing on Ant Richness (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Abundance, and Composition in Dinder National Park, Sudan

Ants play an important role in Sudanese biodiversity and environmental impact assessments, Although baiting is easy and cheap to implement, several considerations, such as the spacing among bait, can affect the estimation of the abundance and richness of ants species. In this study, we evaluated the effects of bait spacing on abundance and the number of ant species. We also demonstrate which distance between baits showed the best relationship between costs and the number of ant species sampled. We sampled 30 transects of 100 m with bait spacing ranging (2.5; 3.3; 5; 6.7; 10 and 20 m), spread over 1 km² into three different type of ecosystems (Wooded grass land, Riverine ecosystem and Maya ecosystem), at DNP located in Sudan. The bait spacing did not affect the ant diversity estimative. Regardless bait spacing, the number of species collected every five baits was around 8, and the average abundance was approximately 50 individuals. However, the number of species per bait was higher in transects with a larger gap between baits. Transects with bait spans of 20 and 10 m captured 50% more species per bait than transects with baits 2.5 and 3.4 m apart. Our study suggest that the most efficient sampling design using only baits in the park would be, to place 450 baits every 10 m and 20 m.

Coping with local peoples' livelihood dependence on the transboundary Dinder–Alatish National Parks in Sudan and Ethiopia from the Sudanese Perspective

The local peoples’ dependence on Dinder National Park, Sudan, for their livelihoods and economic and conservation implications of the livelihood activities were analyzed. Our study attempted to answer major questions about the main livelihood strategies, their economic and conservation implications as well as the perceptions of local people and park administration on the use and management of the park and cooperation for TBPA management. A mixed research method was employed in this study in data collection Households’ livelihood strategies are ranked according to their share in households’ total income. Accordingly, 92% of respondents ranked agriculture as a primary source of livelihood in the rank 1 category, and 33% of respondents ranked livestock rearing as the primary source in the rank 2 category important source of livelihood. The ranking of second and third options varied across both households and villages. Households collect forest products to supplement their livelihoods and the collection of other environmental goods is irregular and difficult to quantify. Further human activities in the area are compiled from different publication and annual reports. Agricultural expansion into the park and livestock trespassing are the major threats to Dinder and neighboring Alatish National Park. A cooperative transboundary response will be helpful to cope with these challenges.

New locality record of the variegated butterfly bat, Glauconycteris variegata (Tomes, 1861) from the Sudan

Two adult male specimens of small vespertilionid bats were collected from Khartoum and two males from the Dinder National Park (DNP), by mist nets. The collected specimens were identified as Glauconycteris variegata. Males of G. variegate collected from Khartoum are found to be larger than males collected from the DNP in six measured morphometric characters and have the base of their wings and their interfemoral membrane orange in colour. The males G. variegatus were found roosting in the riverine area in Khartoum and DNP. One specimen was found roosting with a colony of Scotophilus nigrita, G. argentata and Rhinolophus landeri in a well in the DNP.

Investigation of Odonata Diversity in different localities in Sudan


 The Odonata and their habitats are a part of the world’s natural heritage and this insect order encompasses, worldwide. This study aimed to survey the Odonata species in different sites in Sudan to update data of Odonata in Sudan. A total of 184 individuals were observed from April 2012 to December 2013 and nineteen species of adult dragonflies and damselflies were collected and classified from 6 localities: Kassala, New Halfa, Dinder National Park, El Sabaloka Game Reserve, El Musawwarat and Om Dawwanban. Family Libellulidae showed highest diversity among the other families followed by family Congrinidae. Furthermore Brachythemis leucosticte, Pantala flavescens and Trithemis annulata from family Libellulidae present in all study area. With regards Tramea limbata was a new country record from Om Dawwanban area.

On the way to Dinder National Park

The journey from Khartoum to DNP in photos by Dr Tigani M. H. Allam and students

Detection of Blood Parasites and Toxoplasma gondii in Wild Animals in Dinder National Park, Sudan

Detection of Blood Parasites and Toxoplasma gondii in Wild Animals in Dinder National Park, Sudan

Modelling the Inundation and Morphology of the Seasonally Flooded Mayas Wetlands in the Dinder National Park-Sudan

Understanding the spatiotemporal dynamics of surface water in varied, remote and inaccessible isolated floodplain lakes is difficult. Seasonal inundation patterns of these isolated lakes can be misestimated in a hydrodynamic model due to the short time of connectivity. The seasonal and annual variability of the Dinder River flow has great impact on what is so called Mayas wetlands, and hence, on the habitats and the ecological status of the Dinder National Park. This variability produces large morphological changes due to sediment transported within the river or from the upper catchment, which affects inflows to Mayas wetlands and floodplain inundation in general. In this paper, we investigated the morphological dimension using a quasi-3D modelling approach to support the management of the valuable Mayas wetlands ecosystems, and in particular, assessment of hydrological and morphological regime of the Dinder River as well as the Musa Maya. Six scenarios were developed and tested. The first three scenarios consider three different hydrologic conditions of average, wet and dry years under the existing system with the constructed connection canal. While the other three scenarios consider the same hydrologic conditions but under the natural system without an artificial connection canal. The modelling helps to understand the effect of human intervention (connection canal) on the Musa Maya. The comparison between the simulated scenarios concludes that the hydrodynamics and sedimentology of the Maya are driven by the two main factors: a) the hydrological variability of Dinder River; and b) deposited sediment plugs in the connection canal.

THE ECOLOGICAL, SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL CONSTRAINTS ON PASTORALISTS' ACCESS TO WATER, BLUE NILE STATE (SUDAN)

Abstract This article addresses the ecological, socio-economic and political constraints facing pastoralists' water access rights in Blue Nile State, south-eastern Sudan, over the last five decades. It examines the main constraints on pastoralists' access to water and looks at such issues as climate change, increasing human population, the expansion of agriculture, the expansion of Dinder National Park, civil war and the new international border created after the secession of South Sudan in 2011.

Lion and spotted hyaena abundance in Dinder National Park, Sudan

Lion and spotted hyaena abundance in Dinder National Park, Sudan

First detection and genetic characterization of peste des petits ruminants virus from dorcas gazelles "Gazella dorcas" in theSudan, 2016-2017.

In May 2017, many free-ranging dorcas gazelles (Gazella dorcas) with suspected signs of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) were reported in Dinder National Park, South-Eastern Sudan. Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) antigen and nucleic acid were detected in specimens from these gazelles using an immunocapture ELISA and a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays. PPRV was also detected in four healthy semi-captive dorcas gazelles from two areas of Khartoum State. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these PPRV strains belonged to the lineage IV genotype. The present study demonstrates that gazelles are a potential wild small ruminant host for PPRV and may influence the epidemiology of PPR in theSudan.

Identification Birds Species in Dinder National Park

This study was conducted in Dinder National Park from February to April 2017 adjacent to the Ethiopian border at a distance of 550 km south east of Khartoum. The aim of this study was to identify the bird species around Galegu station in Dinder National Park. Direct observation method was used to identify the bird in Mayas (Meadows) around Galagu station. A total of 112 species belonging to 17 orders have been identified. 27 species were in the order Passeriformes belonging to 12 families. Ring-necked dove (Streptopelia capicola), African pied wagtail (Motecilla aguimp), African namaqua dove (Oena capensis), African firefinch (Legonostista rubricate), Rupell’s ling-tailed starling (Lamprotornis johnstoni), Little bee-eater (Merops pusillus) and Tufted guinea fowl (Acryllium vulturinum), were abundant.

Review of the Changes in Fish Population of Three Flood Water Pools in Dinder National Park, Sudan

Review of the Changes in Fish Population of Three Flood Water Pools in Dinder National Park, Sudan

Identification of Vulture Species around Galagu Station in Dinder National Park, February 2017

Identification of Vulture Species around Galagu Station in Dinder National Park, February 2017

Further Spider Records from the Republic of the Sudan

The present work offers records of six species of spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) from three localities in the eastern part of the Republic of the Sudan. Three represent new species records for the country. Artema kochi (Kulczynski, 1901) (Pholcidae) was collected in New Halfa in Kassala State. Pardosa observans (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1876) (Lycosidae) was found in the Dinder National Park in Sennar State, while Pterotricha dalmasi (Fage, 1929) (Gnaphosidae) was recorded from Toker and Khalig Dongnab in Red Sea State. Additionally, the previously recorded species, Eusparassus walckenaeri (Audouin, 1826) (Sparassidae) is recorded for the first time from the Dinder National Park in Sennar state, and Langona alfensis (Heciak & Proszynski, 1983) and Menemerus fagei (Berland & Millot, 1941) (both Salticidae) are reported for the first time from New Halfa in Kassala State.

Spatial distribution of Hyphaene thebacia and Ziziphus spina Christi in Riverine Forest of Dinder National Park, Sudan

Dinder National Park (DNP) consists of many types of trees and also many wildlife species. The purpose of this research was to carry out a vegetation sampling of Hyphaene thebacia and Ziziphus spina Christi by using the Moristas index method to determine their distribution pattern. A total of 60 plots in the park were located to determine the distribution pattern of Ziziphus spina Christi and Hyphaene thebaciais. Ziziphus spina Christi distribution pattern was found to be 1.4 (clumpy) and Hyphaene thebaciais 3.03 (clumpy) and their correlation is -0.3. The presence of those two tree species is mainly as a result of availability of water and on the other hand the result showed that the Hyphaene thebacia and Ziziphus spina Christi are clumpy distributed and the null hypothesis was rejected.

Botanical composition and some nutrient contents of the diet consumed by waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnusdefassa) in Dinder National Park, Sudan

This study was conducted in the Dinder National Park (DNP) at approximately 11 to 13oN and long 34 to 36oE) in 2015 and 2016, in order to determine the botanical composition of the waterbuck’s (Kobus ellipsiprymnusdefassa) diet. The study was mainly done at Abd el Ghani Maya (meadow). A micro-histological technique was used to determine the dietary botanical composition in which samples of plant species and faecal droppings encountered in and around the Maya were collected, dried and grounded to pass 1-mm mesh. Reference slides were prepared from the ground samples of the plant species whose epidermal characteristics were compared with their counterparts in similar slides prepared from the faecal droppings. In addition, nitrogen, phosphorous and calcium concentrations in plant samples were determined. Twenty-one plant species were recorded from waterbuck faecal in 2015 and 19 in the year 2016. The grass species comprising high proportions in the diet were Echinochloa sp., Cyprus sp., kylinga sp. and Sorghum arundinaceum; forbs (broad-leaved herbs) were Corchorus depressus, Ipomoea aquatica and Polygonum sp.; and woody vegetation (trees and shrubs) were Acacia seiberiana, Balanites aegyptiaca, Ziziphus-spina-christiand Crativa adonsonii. Early in the dry season, grasses and forbs constituted 80% of the diet, trees and shrubs 20%. However, during the late dry season, grasses and forbs comprise about 40% of the diet; whereas trees and shrubs constituted 60%. Among food plants Cyprus sp. and Acacias contained the highest nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations. The diet of waterbuck was more diverse in the late dry season than that of the early dry season. It is concluded that waterbuck preferred few succulent, nutritious grasses in the early dry season and shifts to diverse herbaceous and woody vegetation with relatively high nutrient contents when the grasses dry up late in the dry season. Nutritional studies about grasses, leguminous trees and other plant species eaten by the wild animals are lacking. Intensive nutritional studies are needed to cover all possible nutritional aspects of the wild animals in the park.