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.
Through the CS Wildlife Fund, funding has
enabled design, development and dissemination of
advocacy material about this species, and raised awareness
about the value of the forests and the importance of sustainable
forest management by local forest resource users.
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The endangered Spotted Ground Thrush is threatened by habitat fragmentation & continued degradation and destruction of remaining habitat. |
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.
The CS Wildlife Fund is working 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.
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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
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.
Through the CS Wildlife Fund, we 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. Ultimately, CS Wildlife Fund aims to set up education and rehabilitation centres for reptiles and other animals.
More Info on Snakes & Lizards
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Reptiles such as this flap-necked chameleon (Chamaeleo dilepis) are often disliked &/or persecuted in Africa.
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African Wild Dog
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.
More Info on African Wild Dogs
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Tanzania's Ruaha and Selous are home to some of Africa's largest remaining packs of endangered African Wild Dogs (Lycaon pictus).
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Black Rhino
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.
The Selous Rhino Trust is working to increase black rhino numbers in the Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania.
More Info on Black Rhinos
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Small numbers of Black Rhino (Diceros bicornis) remain
in Tanzania; A protected population in Ngorongoro Crater & another
in Selous Game Reserve.
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Whale Shark
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. Conservation Safaris assists with whale shark research by providing these organisations with information about the whale sharks encountered during our dive safaris.
More Info on Whale Sharks
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Whale Sharks (Rhincodon typus) migrate along Tanzania's coast and are often seen off
Zanzibar & Pemba Islands.
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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. The CS Wildlife
Fund supports the education of local children about the
value of these animals, and the Misali Island Marine
Sanctuary, an important turtle nesting site.
More Info on Hawksbill Turtles
More Info on Green Turtles
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Turtle laying eggs in nest on beach.
Programs in Tanzania aim to protect nesting turtles, their eggs, and hatchlings.
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