Assessment of anti-poaching effort in Ruaha National Park, Tanzania

Anti-poaching effort in Ruaha National Park for the period between January 1996 to June 1999 was evaluated in terms of strength, frequency and duration of patrols, area covered and success of patrols. It was found that the park spent 72.4 US$ km-2 year-1 on law enforcement. There were 72 rangers each required to patrol on the average 143 km2. A total of 1,255 patrols were conducted; patrols ranged from 14 to 43 trips per month and each lasted between 1 to 25 days and most were foot and vehicle patrols. Patrol units had 2 to 11 rangers while the average patrol effort ranged from 36 ranger-days 100km-2 year-1 to 120 ranger-days 100 km-2 year-1. The success of sighting poaching signs varied from 4.3 signs 100 ranger-days-1 to 10.5 signs 100 ranger-days-1. Patrol units on foot were more likely to sight poachers than those on vehicles. Armed patrols were more likely to encounter poaching gangs during the dry than wet season possibly because visibility was better in the dry season. About 90% to 100% rangers were armed during patrols. Over 60% of encountered poachers were arrested. Increasing the number of armed patrol units is likely to increase success in sighting and arresting poachers through improving patrol efficiency. However, this should be coupled with increased funding; patrol vehicles, ranger force and improved road system Tanzania Journal of Science Vol. 31 (2) 2005: pp. 13-2

Research Work and Conservation Initiatives in the Kihansi Catchment Ecosystem, Tanzania

A Keynote Address for the Scientific Conference on Research and Conservation Initiatives in the Kihansi Catchment Ecosystem: Successes, Challenges and Way forward held at the National Carbon Monitoring Centre (NCMC), Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) on 24 – 27 July 201

Preliminary observations of birds of Songo Songo Island, Tanzania

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Ecological Carrying Capacity of Saanane Island Proposed National Park, Mwanza, Tanzania

The study on ecological carrying capacity of Saanane Island aimed at assessing stocking capacity of the island to provide guidance to the introduction of animals to enhance its ecological value and tourism potential. To evaluate the ecological carrying capacity of the Island, wet and dry season data were collected in 2014 for woody, herbaceous and grass species using PCQ and quadrat methods Wet and dry weights biomass of the forage material was measured to determine dry matter content and are presented as dry weight biomass. Total productivity was 4,280 kg/ha dry weight in wet season which increased to 7,965 kg/ha dry weight in dry season due to absence of disturbance such as limited grazing and fire which is rarely practiced on the Island. Woody species had a total density of 491woody plants ha-1, which was not significant using unpaired two sample t test. This study suggest that the range capability of Saanane Island is 6.76 ha/ animal metabolic requirement (GU) for wet season and 9.125 ha/GU for dry season and thus the productivity of the Island is capable of sustaining 43.5 GU in wet season and 32.2 GU in dry season based on the size of the Island estimated to be 3 km2. Key words: Ecology, Carrying capacity, Saanane Island, forage, herbivor

Assessment of Seasonal Variations in Forage Quality in Saanane Island National Park, Mwanza, Tanzania

Seasonal variations in proteins, vitamin A, vitamin C, carbohydrates and minerals (Ca, Fe, Na, K and P) for seven most grazed and four most browsed plant species were assessed using laboratory analysis to determine what nutrient resources were available to grazers and browsers inhabiting the Saanane Island. The results indicated great seasonal variations in proteins, vitamin A, vitamin C and carbohydrates which were statistically significant with P < 0.01, F 3.444 at DF 5. Similarly, the minerals (Ca, Fe, Na, K and P) showed greater seasonal variations with K and P being higher during wet season, while Na and Fe were higher in dry season. The levels of proteins, vitamins, fibres and minerals were well above daily dietary requirements for grazers and browsers. These results suggested that both grazers and browsers were benefiting from seasonal differences in terms of available resources at disposal as animal health is regulated by levels of proteins and vitamins available in grazing and browsing materials.  Keywords: Forage Quality, Minerals, Protein Saanane, Seasonality, Vitamin

Diet composition of the golden jackal (Canis aureus) in the Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

The Ngorongoro crater is known for having the highest density of carnivores in the world. In the past, most of the research focused on large carnivores such as lions and spotted hyenas. Medium sized carnivores such as jackals have received very little attention and the information on these carnivores including their diet composition is limited. Diet composition of golden jackal(Canis aureus) was studied in the Ngorongoro crater from July 2014 to May 2015 covering both dry and wet seasons using focal animal observation (direct method) and  collection (and analysis) of faecal/scat samples from known individuals in the field (indirect method). In both seasons, insects (mostly dung beetles, Family Scarabaeidae) were the most common food item consumed. Quantitatively, carrion (carcasses of large herbivores mainly wildebeest and buffalo) and Abdim's storks (Ciconia abdimii) contributed the most to the diet of golden jackal in the dry and wet season respectively. Jackals also consumed plant materials of the family Cucurbitaceae in both dry and wet seasons. Seasonal variation in types of food was noted; in wet season when the jackals consumed birds (Abdim's storks), Thomson's gazelle fawns and wildebeest placenta. The results suggest that the golden jackals are omnivorous and opportunistic foragers.Key words:  diet, season, golden jackal, Ngorongor

The Dynamics of Re-introduced Kihansi Spray Toad Nectophrynoides asperginis and other Amphibians in Kihansi Gorge, Udzungwa Mountains, Tanzania

The dynamics of the reintroduced Kihansi spray toad Nectophrynoides asperginis and other amphibian species that occur in the Kihansi gorge,UdzungwaMountains were studied. The area is a home for the endemic toad that became extinct before individuals bred in captivity were reintroduced. Previous studies on the biology of amphibians conducted in the gorge focused on a few aspects but none has dealt with the dynamics of both the reintroduced Kihansi spray toad (KST) and other amphibians. Information on species richness and the abundance of amphibian species occurring in the gorge have not been dealt with in depth. Time-constrained audio-visual encounter surveys were conducted between February 2015 and May 2017 in the gorge to assess detectability rates of the reintroduced toad and other amphibian species. Sixteen species were detected including the reintroduced Kihansi spray toad. The detection rate of the KST was highest shortly after reintroduction and decreased precipitously during subsequent surveys. The results suggest low survivorship of the reintroduced KST. The detection rates of other amphibian species varied between species, although there was no significant variation in the detection rates between different sampling periods. A few species were encountered once, whereas others were encountered throughout the study period. Detection rates were influenced by the species lifestyle and weather conditions. Further studies are recommended to assess the possible causes of low survivorship of the reintroduced toads.Keywords: Kihansi gorge; Kihansi Spray Toad; Reintroduction; Survivorship

The role of kopjes in bird species’ conservation within an agricultural matrix west of the Greater Serengeti Ecosystem, Tanzania

This study was conducted in unprotected agricultural land located just west of the Greater Serengeti Ecosystem to assess 1) avian community composition in four different habitat types, and 2) the importance of kopjes found in agricultural areas in conservation of birds. All species recorded during this study have been recorded in the nearby Serengeti Ecosystem suggesting that the study area is a subset of this ecosystem. The density of bird species and individuals were higher in the kopjes than in the surrounding human-impacted habitats. Thus the kopjes in farmland increase regional avifaunal diversity, and this is likely due to the provision of diverse habitats. The kopjes as well as the surrounding habitats are important for bird species conservation even though they are found in agricultural areas

GIS Based Environmental Cost−Benefit Analysis of Built Environment at Dar es Salaam Coastline Metropolitan

The hypothesis of global human population growth underpins fast urbanization of global landscape in various regions. Such trends promote built environment expansion, as such the desire for more and comfortable infrastructural place and space value for work, recreation and residence. Putting in place transport and social services connectivity between places and spaces altogether account for the loss of ecological resources. Inspite of this, little information is available on net ecological value benefits of built environment, in particular, on the rapidly urbanizing metropolitan of Dar es Salaam coastline. The study applied geographical information system techniques on Landsat satellite imageries for landuse landcover changes extraction; and globally recognized ecological indexes for valuation of ecosystem services. Furthermore, the use of annual population growth rate and real estate expansion rate underlined annual modulation on input variables hence input data for the subsequent years through the study period. Nonetheless, despite rising human population, expanding built environment and declining vegetation cover experienced along the coastline of Dar es Salaam metropolitan, the study findings displayed general declining trend of net ecological value benefits of built environment with an overall positive net ecological value benefits . This suggests that the metropolitan of Dar es Salaam coastline is still resilient to built–up environment development initiatives

Diet of the Golden Jackal (Canis aureus) and Silver-Backed Jackal (Canis mesomelas) in the Southern Part of the Serengeti Ecosystem, Tanzania: A Comparative Study

Habitat and food resource partitioning are predicted to facilitate the coexistence of similar-sized carnivores. The golden jackal (Canis aureus) and silver-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas) are similar-sized canids that respectively inhabit grassland and woodland in the Serengeti ecosystem, Tanzania. As information on the diet and food-intake of these two species in this ecosystem is limited, we aimed to compare the diet and food-intake of these canids in the wet and dry seasons, using data from focal samples of foraging behaviour and scat analysis. We predicted dietary differences between these species, seasonal differences within species and peak food intake when breeding. Result of a logistic regression considering insect and small mammal remains in scats revealed dietary differences both between species and within-species seasonal differences. Results of a censored regression model on the estimated weigh of food intake by foraging individuals indicated that intake was highest during the breeding season of each species, which occurs in the wet season in golden jackals and the dry-season in silver-backed jackals. Our study provides new insights on differences in the foraging ecology of these two jackal species in the Serengeti ecosystem. Keywords:    Canis aureus; Canis mesomelas, diet, Serengeti ecosystem, season