Browsing by Author "Nahonyo, Cuthbert L."

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    Assessment of Anti-poaching Effort in Ruaha National Park, Tanzania
    (2005) Nahonyo, Cuthbert L.
    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
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    Efficacy of Chilli Capsicum Oleoresin Guns Usage by Local Hunters as African Elephant Repellent from Crop Raiding in the Luangwa Valley, Zambia
    (2013-06) Nyirenda, Vincent R.; Nahonyo, Cuthbert L.; Mushimbalume, Matthews; Chomba, Chansa
    Chilli Capsicum oleoresin guns have been utilised by local hunters in Luangwa Valley, Zambia in the recent years as Community Based Conflict Mitigation (CBCM) for human-elephant conflict (HEC) situations. Through use of C. oleoresin guns, transformation of local hunters from elephant poachers to sustainable agriculturalists has been a milestone for conservation efforts. In this study, authors systematically evaluated efficacy of C. oleoresin guns usage by the local hunters as African elephant repellent from crop raiding in the Luangwa, Zambia using statistical multivariate regression modelling approaches. Out of nine potential factors influencing effectiveness of C. oleoresin guns, two factors were significantly associated with impacts of C. oleoresin aerosols: rain conditions and elephant head size. These factors were, in addition to wind direction, determinants of effectiveness of C. oleoresin aerosols on target elephants. CBCM innovations are encouraged and we suggest building capacity in training, access to materials and implementation monitoring by local hunters and wildlife managers to enhance local participation in non-lethal preventive and mitigation interventions, especially those which are robust to elephant habituation.
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    Feasibility Study on Elephant Movement between the Greater Ruaha Ecosystem and Selous Ecosystem in Central Eastern, Tanzania
    (2009) Nahonyo, Cuthbert L.
    The study to conduct a preliminary investigation of the elephant migration between Greater Ruaha and Selous ecosystems was conducted in 2008/2009. The study was intended to establish if there are elephant movements between Ruaha and Mikumi NPs. Specifically the study attempted to establish and track the existing and possibly dead elephant migration routes from Ruaha to Mikumi, and identifying important locations along the route and threats facing the corridor and elephants in the survey area. The survey used a number of techniques including literature survey, interviews and direct field observations. Researchers tracked on foot from Ruaha to Mikumi the elephant routes, taking GPS coordinates at important locations, taking photographs, interviewing people and assessing habitat and elephant dung along the migration routes. Vehicles, motorcycles and bicycles were used to assist researchers reach certain locations for investigation. The study was spread in three regions of Iringa, Dodoma and Morogoro and encompassing four districts of Iringa rural, Mpwapwa, Kilolo and Kilosa. Villages covered during the study from Ruaha National Park towards Mikumi National Park include Kinyika, Kisanga, Mboliboli, Makuka, Izazi, Migori, Makatapora (Kinyari subvillage), Migori in Iringa Rural District, Mkulula, Nyanzwa, Igunda, Mgowero, Mtandika and Ruaha Mbuyuni in Kilolo District. Others are Malolo, Kisanga, Msolwa, Madizini, Kidai, and Ihombwe in Kilosa District. Two additional villages of Idodoma and Singonari were from Mpwapwa District. Evidence collected from this study strongly supports the hypothesis that there is elephant migration between Greater Ruaha and Selous ecosystems. This is also supported by a significant number of people (P < 0.001) interviewed in the survey area. Villagers showed researchers the elephant routes, described the routes and explained when and how elephants pass in their areas including seasons, time of the day and associated human elephant conflicts. Other information included dead elephant routes, changing patterns of elephant routes and threats facing the elephant corridor. Villagers were able to tell about presence of resident elephants, group sizes of migrating elephants and even differentiate between elephants originating from Mikumi against those from Ruaha in terms of body and tusks size, colour and behaviour. The study reports that there is basically one broad elephant corridor (with several routes) from Ruaha NP up to areas around Ruaha Mbuyuni a place which appears to be the point of departure. From here there are three separate corridors two leading to Mikumi National Park and one leading to Udzungwa NP and possibly also to Mikumi. Nevertheless, some sections of the routes are yet to be verified. Field observations revealed that the elephant routes are under serious threat from farming, settlements, livestock keeping, human disturbances including noises, and combination of these factors. Since there is convincing evidence of the presence of the elephant link between the two ecosystems a more detailed study using radio/satellite tracking is proposed as well as immediate efforts to rescue the landscape, the elephants paths and habitat in places where they are seriously encroached. This will ensure that the elephant populations of the Greater Ruaha ecosystem are
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    Observations on nesting of shoebill Balaeniceps rex and wattled crane Bugeranus carunculatus in Malagarasi wetlands, western Tanzania
    (2013-02) John, Jasson; Nahonyo, Cuthbert L.; Lee, Woo S.; Msuya, Charles A.
    The populations of shoebill Balaeniceps rex and wattled crane Bugeranus carunculatus are listed as ‘vulnerable’ by IUCN and threatened by habitat destruction and trapping (BirdLife International, 2012a). They both have narrow and disconnected distribution in sub-Saharan Africa along major water basins (Hancock, Kushlan & Kahl, 1992; Meine & Archibald, 1996). Their global population is small (<8000 birds for each species), and in Tanzania, numbers are in low hundreds (Dinesen & Baker, 2006; Beilfuss, Dodman & Urban, 2007). But yet, there is virtually no published information on nesting in Tanzania. The first and the only published breeding of wattled crane is that of Elliott (1983) from Southern highlands where wattled crane has almost been extirpated (Beilfuss, Dodman and Urban, 2007). Small viable populations for both species are found in Malagarasi wetlands. Basic ecological information of these threatened-flagship species is needed for both scientific and management purposes. In this article, we report observations of the first ground study on nests of shoebill and wattled crane in Tanzania, made between 2005 and 2011.