Spotted Ground Thrush Project
The Spotted Ground Thrush (Zoothera guttata) is
an endangered & endemic bird species. The population is in continual decline due to its restricted and highly fragmented habitat. The fischeri race
occurs only in coastal forests of Tanzania and Kenya and migrates
between them through the year. These forests are severely threatened, mainly due to human encroachment; clearance for agriculture, unsustainable land use and logging. Only
6.7% of the original forest area remains.
The BirdLife Africa International Partnership recognised
that the limited knowledge about the species is a critical
problem hindering its conservation, coupled with a general
lack of awareness among the local communities. It
is therefore running a project to develop a monitoring scheme
that will inform conservation decisions for the species.
For a chance to go birding on safari, see: Selous River
Delta Safaris
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The endangered Spotted Ground Thrush is
threatened by habitat fragmentation & continued degradation
and destruction of remaining habitat.
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Native Forests & sustainable use
In the fight to save animals from extinction, the very habitat
that sustains them is often forgotten. We recognise the importance of not only maintaining protected areas but also of reclaiming degraded or cleared land and returning it to its natural state. In
addition, we recognise the importance of enabling local communities
to use their land sustainably.
SBS is supporting efforts to raise awareness
of the importance of sustainability. As
part of this commitment, we support the work of the Tanzania
Forest Conservation Group in
replanting of native vegetation to form a corridor connecting
two forests in the Mufindi District of the Southern Udzungwa
Mountains. The TFCG has been working in the area since
1995, providing support for participatory forest management,
working with six villages.
For your chance to see some beautiful natural forests, see:
Ngorongoro Crater Safaris
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The TFCG involves local communities in replanting indigenous trees to create a corridor between two Lulanda forests.
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Snakes & Lizards (Chamaeleo
dilepis)
Snakes and lizards are misunderstood and despised in many
cultures around the world. Much of this fear arises
from a lack of knowledge and understanding about these animals,
their value within the ecosystem and how to live with them.
SBS aim to educate local people
about the ecological value of snakes and lizards, how to
handle them in different situations and simple first aid
techniques in case of venomous snake bite.
For your chance to see reptiles on safari, see: Serengeti
Safaris
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Reptiles
such as this flap-necked chameleon are often feared in
Africa.
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African Wild Dog (Lycaon
pictus)
The now endangered African Wild Dog (a.k.a. African Painted
Dog) has disappeared from much of its former range across
sub-Saharan Africa. The largest remaining populations occur
in Tanzania’s Selous Game Reserve and Ruaha National
Park. Major threats faced by the African Wild Dog include
ongoing conflict with human activities, persecution, infectious
disease and habitat fragmentation.
The CS Wildlife Fund aims to help determine
the status of African Wild Dogs in East Africa, the survival
issues they face, including human-induced impacts and possible
solutions.
For a chance to see African Wild Dogs on Safaris, see:
Selous River Delta Safaris
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Tanzania's Ruaha and Selous are home to some of Africa's
largest remaining packs of endangered African Wild Dogs.
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Black Rhino (Diceros bicornis)
Once the most numerous and widespread rhino species, black
rhino are now critically endangered. Dramatic population
declines were driven by incessant hunting and habitat destruction.
Main threats faced by the black rhino today include
continued habitat destruction and poaching for the international
trade in rhino horn.
For a chance to see rhinos, see: Ngorongoro Crater Safaris
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Small
numbers of Black Rhino remain
in Tanzania & Kenya.
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Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus)
The whale shark population is in decline and one of the
major threats faced by the species is its high value on
the international market. The sharks are targeted by Asian fisheries for their meat and their highly prized fins, particularly in Taiwan. This species is extremely vulnerable to overexploitation particularly due to its life history - it is highly migratory, low in abundance and low recruitment into the population. Unfortunately,
little is know about these animals.
A number of organisations around the world are collaborating
to enable conservation and management planning for the species. SBS assists
with whale shark research by providing these organisations
with information about the whale sharks encountered during
our dive safaris.
For whale shark safaris, see: www.ZanzibarDiving.com
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Whale
Sharks migrate along the coasts
of Kenya & Tanzania.
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Marine Turtles
Green (endangered) and Hawksbill (critically endangered)
turtles both face extinction due to hunting for their attractive
shells for the tourist and commercial trade, as well as
a supplemental food source. They are further threatened
by incidental capture in fishing nets and damage to or loss
of nesting sites.
A number of organisations in Africa and
around the world are working towards the conservation of
these and other marine turtle species.
To go diving with turtles, see: www.ZanzibarDiving.com
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Turtle
laying eggs in nest on beach.
Conservation aim to protect nesting turtles, their eggs,
hatchlings & habitat.
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