Nature net

2019·0.53 MB·English

by  Nature Kenya

ISSN 2073-5in(Print)
nature
naturekenya.org
Raising butterflies to conserve forests
Although the group's members rear part of the Eastern Arc, one of 34
two of the Taita endemic butterflies, global biodiversity hotspots, and
Mwamburi is quick to point out that are ranked as one of Kenya's Key
they do not sell their pupae. Biodiversity Areas (KBAs).Two
Critically Endangered birds are only
"We do not sell the Papilio desmondi
found in these forest remnants:
teita and Cymothoe teita pupae. We
Taita Thrush (Turdus helleri) and Taita
release adults of these two butterfly
Apalis (Apalis (thoracico) fuscigularis).
subspecies into the wild to increase
Severe fragmentation, isolation
their numbers," he says.
and decline in quality and extent
O Butterfly farming has enabled of indigenous forest cover in Taita
R
A Mwamburi and his colleagues to not
H Hills pose major threats which affect
C
A only earn a livelihood but also to
W the breeding success and survival
M actively advocate for conservation
of the two bird species. Helping the
N
of Chawia forest.
H community to conserve the forests
O
Y J "We carry out awareness activities is therefore vitally important.
B
O around here, where we encourage
T Nature Kenya, under the'People
O
H community members to plant
P Partner with Nature'program, has
indigenous trees in their farms.
Charles Mombo, a member of Chawia Youth Group, displaying some of been supporting communities living
People are now beginning to
the butterfly pupae. adjacent to the Taita Hills forests
appreciate the importance of
to engage in income generating
■B BY JOHN MWACHARO
conserving our forests which also
activities, such as butterfly farming,
serve as sources of water. We stand
beekeeping, eco-tourism, among
utterflies are some of the by butterflies. In addition, each to lose a lot if these forests are
others, that reduce pressure on the
most beautiful insects member of group has planted trees destroyed," he adds.
environment. The program is being
on earth. Fluttering their in their farms.
Like the other surviving indigenous implemented in partnership with
coloured and patterned wings,
To raise butterflies, they start with cloud forests of Taita Hills, Chawia DOF (BirdLife in Denmark) with
these charming creatures arouse
butterfly eggs, which hatch into has suffered substantial vegetation financial support from DANIDA/
awe and a sense of harmony
tiny caterpillars. The caterpillars loss and degradation over the years. CISU.The overall objective of
wherever they fly.TheTaita Hills
feed on the leaves of certain forest Currently, only about 86 ha of the the program is to'reduce the
forests are home to many of these
trees. They grow and grow. When original Chawia forest remains. destruction of forested KBAs and
flying beauties. As a matter of fact,
they are big enough, the caterpillars
The Taita Hills comprise two main contribute to the realization of best
there are three butterfly species that
turn into pupae. Inside the pupa,
mountain massifs, Mbololo and participatory forest management
are endemic to these forests - found
the caterpillar transforms into a.
Dawida, rising from the dryland practices for the benefit of all.'This
nowhere else on Earth. -
butterfly. After a few days or weeks, below. The forests that remain program is also running in Arabuko-
Chawia forest is among the three the adult butterfly will hatch from on the hilltops are extensively Sokoke Forest and Dakatcha
remaining large forest fragments in the pupa. fragmented. Taita Hills forests are Woodland in Kilifi county,
the Taita Hills. At the fringe of this
More than 25 types of butterflies
forest, a group of youth is engaged
inhabit Chawia forest, including
in butterfly farming, proving that
Cymothoe teita and Papilio desmondi IDS'* ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
there's a financial stake in keeping
teita, a subspecies of Desmond's
the forest intact. Comprising of
Green-banded Swallowtail.These OF THE EAST AFRICA NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY
14 members, the Chawia Youth
two butterflies are endemic to
Group rears and sells butterfly
Taita Hills forests. Some species of VENUE_
pupae as one of its core livelihood
swallowtails and pansies can also be Louis Leakey Hall, Nairobi Museum
activities. What sets this group apart
found in Chawia forest. DATE_TIME
from others is its determination Wednesday 8th May 2019 12:00 - 2:00pm
According to Mwamburi, on
to keep Chawia forest conserved
average the group sells around AGENDA A PROGRAM
by encouraging the planting of
200 butterfly pupae per month, 12:00pm Coffee/tea and quick lunch
indigenous trees.
translating to Ksh.11,000. The pupae 1:00pm Convene in hall
"This forest is very important to us are either sold to Kipepeo Centre • Minutes of the 108th AGM
because the butterfly species found in Gede near Malindi or to brokers, • Matters arising from the Minutes
here are dependent on it and its depending on the butterfly type. • Chairman's Report
indigenous trees," explains Amos • Honorary Treasurer's Report
The pupae are in turn exported
Mwamburi, a member of the group. • Appointment of Auditor
abroad for live exhibits. Kenya has
• Library, Journal, Committees and Projects Report
The group considers conservation over 800 butterfly species and is
• Any other business of which due notice in the form of the Resolution to
of Chawia forest a priority as it is ranked among the world's leading
be proposed has been given to the Honorary Secretary, signed by not
directly linked to their livelihoods. producers of pupae.
less than 2 members, not less than 21 days before the date of the
The group has a tree nursery "One good thing about butterflies meeting
with over 4,000 seedlings, mostly is that they lay many eggs. A single • Election of Office Bearers, Members of the Executive Committee, and
indigenous ones. This year they Trustees
butterfly can lay up to 150-200 eggs,
are planning to plant 1,000 trees
and if these manage to reach the
as part of their forest restoration Nomination forms for office bearers or Executive Committee members
pupae stage, we are talking of over
may be collected from the office or requested by e-mail.
initiative. The trees intended for
100 pupae from just one butterfly,"
planting are those mostly preferred
says Mwamburi.
ACTION
Grey crowned crane census
to be conducted
Conservation of African
Kenya loses at least 800 grey crowned cranes yearly,
scientists have warned. Raising the alarm, the
vuitures takes center
scientists added that the bird is facing extinction.
stage at giobai bird race They were speaking before the launch of a
nationwide survey for the bird.
T "The species is in trouble. Its future is fading fast,"
said Wanyoike Wamiti a scientist from the National
he spectacular'Champions of the Fly way' Nature Kenya's Paul Gacheru, Rebecca Ikachoi Museums of Kenya (NMK).
global bird race will take place in Israel and James Mutunga will be joining forces with
The National Museums of Kenya, the Nature and
this month. For the first time ever, Kenya NABU's Dirk Wegener, Thomas Tennhardt and
Biodiversity Conservation Union - Germany (NABU)
will be participating in the race with a team Werner Schroeder under team 'Zeiss Vultures
and other partners will conduct the survey. Forty
comprising of three Nature Kenya and three Unlimited'.The team is raising funds to support
volunteers forming at least nine teams drawn from
NABU (Nature and Biodiversity Conservation community awareness on the negative impacts
Kenya, Germany, UK, France, Rwanda and Tanzania
Union, BirdLife in Germany) staff. Conservation of wildlife poisoning, create local community
are to take part.
of African vultures is this year's race focus, with champions for vulture conservation and train
The environmentalists attributed the decline on
proceeds raised from the event earmarked for KWS rangers and community members on rapid
habitat loss and illegal collection of the birds'eggs.
this cause. response to wildlife poisoning incidents in the
In 1986, there were 35,000 of the species. The
Maasai Mara area. They will be battling it out
A project in Africa, Kenya to be precise,
number reduced to 12,500 in 2015. A partial survey
with teams of birders from the United
has been chosen as the beneficiary
last year showed the birds were endangered. There
Kingdom (UK), the United States
of funds raised by the event. The This is a major
were only less than 10,000.
(US), Holland (the Netherlands),
project-'Preventing Poisoning boost to our work of
Italy, Canada, South Africa, "The population has declined by 80 per cent in a
to Save Africa's Vultures' - is reaching out to more
Switzerland and Israel. period of 40-50 years," Dr. Peter Njoroge said. He is a
currently running in Maasai communities and
senior scientist at NMK.
Mara, Narok County. Under enhancing emergency The'Champions of the Flyway'
this project. Nature Kenya, wildlife poisoning race is a culmination of an Dr. Njoroge said the census set to run until March 8
the Peregrine Fund, BirdLife response efforts. intensive fundraising exercise will be critical in coming up with an action plan to
International and the Kenya Birds Rebecca Ikachoi for the benefit of birds. Every year save the birds.
of Prey Trust are involved in several a conservation cause is chosen, in
The grey crowned crane is one of the 15 living
initiatives aimed at reducing poisoning- collaboration with BirdLife International, species of the cranes in the world. It is currently
related wildlife deaths. Teams signed up for the and all participating teams raise money and listed as endangered by the International Union for
race are also independently raising funds to awareness for the chosen cause. The campaign Conservation of Nature (lUCN).
help tackle the rapid and catastrophic decline of has raised over $350,000 for bird conservation
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) head of research
African vultures. projects in Georgia, Greece, Cyprus, Malta,
and multilateral agreements Solomon Kyalo said
Turkey, Serbia and Croatia.
'Champions of the Flyway'is an annual event Kenya, as a signatory to treaties and conventions,
organized by the Society for the Protection of The 24-hour bird-spotting race also generates is required to cooperate with other countries to
Nature in Israel (BirdLife in Israel) in partnership great drama and excitement and reaches out protect the birds.
with BirdLife International.This year, seventeen to a huge international audience with over one
"KWS is obligated to prepare status of wildlife and
teams of birders from across the globe will million people being exposed to the project
present the report to the Cabinet secretary before
converge at Eilat, southern Israel, from 20*^ annually via social media platforms.
being tabled in the National Assembly," he said.
March to compete in a 24-hour race to identify
'Champions of the Flyway'is the brainchild of
Kyalo said the report will help the country to
bird species at a designated area (the whole of
the Israel Ornithological Center of the Society
intensify conservation efforts. After the census,
southern Israel). The race will take place on 26*^
for the Protection of Nature in Israel. Having
figures will be consolidated with those KWS has in
March with the team identifying the most bird
an exciting bird race at the peak of migration
its database. Scientists say invasive plant species
species being crowned the 2019'Champions of
to catch the attention of birders was the idea
ruin the bird's nesting places.
the Flyway'.
behind the event. ^
Nature Kenya's communications and advocacy
manager Serah Munguti said the data will be used
Your support counts! in policymaking. &
African vultures are under serious threat of extinction. These majestic birds
that act as nature’s “clean-up crew” need your support to remain in the skies.
You can participate in this cause to save African vuitures by supporting team
‘Zeiss Vultures Unlimited’ achieve its fundraising target. To find out more
or make a donation kindly type this link on your web browser: http://bit.
ly/2D9WooL and hit the enter key.
You can also visit the ‘Zeiss Vultures Unlimited’ official webpage http://
www.champions-of-the-flyway.com/vulturesunlimited/ or check out the
‘Champions of the Flyway’ film https://youtu.be/fFdUXCh1zGo to get a real
feel of the event. A Grey crowned crane with its chick.
For updates visit For contributions, advertising and subscriptions, contact us by:
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NATURALIST
SPOTTED AT VURIA FOREST, TAITA HILLS March 2019 Evening Sky
L
■ BY FLEUR NG’WENO
ook up when the sky Turn around to look north.The
has become dark, on an Pleiades and Hyades star clusters
evening with few or no (See February Nature Net) are
clouds: Sirius, the brightest star dipping towards the west.
of the night sky, is high above, Further north is the pentagon¬
towards the south. Canopus, the shaped constellation Auriga,
second brightest star, is lower in with its bright star Capella. High
the south. in the north, between Procyon
and Auriga, is the constellation
Gemini - two sets of two stars.
The crescent moon is near the
planet Mars on March 11, near the
Pleiades on the 12* the Hyades
on the 13*'’, and the star Pollux in
Gemini on the 16*^.
Now turn to look east, with
Orion's stars.
your back to the sunset. The
Tlje ancient Greeks also gave constellation Leo the Lion is high
names to the patterns that the in the east. Imagine the bright star
stars form in the sky, called Regulus as the lion's heart; and the
constellations. Face south sickle-shaped line of stars next to
O (towards Sirius) and look it as the lion's head and mane. The
R
A overhead. The constellation of waxing moon is near Regulus on
H
C
A Orion, the Hunter or Warrior, is March 18.
W
M striding across the sky, as the
N On a clear night away from city
H ancient Greeks saw him. They
O lights, you may see the Milky Way
Y J called the three stars in a row his stretching like a pale ribbon across
B
S belt, and the three fainter stars in
O the sky, past Sirius, Orion, Gemini
OT a row his sword. Four stars around and Auriga. It is our galaxy, made
H
P them are Orion's shoulders and
up of millions of stars.
knees. Blue-green Rigel towards
Taita Apalis (top), a lovely looking beetle(below) Morning Sky
the southwest is one knee, orange
After Orion has set in the west, the
Betelgeuse towards the northeast
Scorpion rises in the southeast.
is one shoulder.
ANNOUNCEMENT
The planet Jupiter is next to it.
Alpha Centauri, third brightest star
at night, is in the southwest.The
The second issue of Volume 107 (2018) of the Journal of East
moon is near Jupiter on March 27.
African Natural History was brought online in early 2019
The brilliant planet Venus sinks
towards the sunrise. The planet
The following papers are now available from African Journals Online
Saturn is above it.The waning
: httpsy/www.ajol.info/index.php/jeanh/issue/view/17766
crescent moon is near Saturn on
March 2 and 29, and near Venus
In memoriam: PATRICK NTHUSIMUTHOKA - 20 February 1962 -14
on March 3 and April 2.
February 2018
Moon, March ‘19
Geoffrey Mwachala, Itambo Malombe, Mathias Mbale
March 6 - new moon; look for a
Journal of East African Natural History "107 {2)\ 37-39 (2018)
slender crescent above the sunset
on 7"’. March 14 - first quarter;
i Africa's forgotten forests: the conservation value of Kenya's
Orion as a hunter. 'half moon overhead at sunset.
' Northern coastal forests for large mammals
March 21 - full moon, rising in the
Rajan Amin, Tim Wacher, Andrew E. Bowkett, Bernard Ogwoka, Mike
The Hunter is followed by his east. March 28 - last quarter;'half
Morris, Bernard R. Agwanda
hunting dogs: Sirius the Dog Star, moon overhead at dawn.
Journal of East African Natural History 107(2): 41 -61 (2018)
and to the left (northeast) Procyon March sun
Book Review: Trees and Shrubs of Mozambique the little dog. You can imagine March 20 is the equinox - when
Sirius as the dog's eye, and the
Quentin Luke day and night are of equal length,
Journal of East African Naturai History 107(2): 63-66 (2018) stars just below as forming his all over the world. C
body, feet and tail.
2019 LUNGS FOR KENYA CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT
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IN THE FIELD
-TiniFaTBnaETTrsni m- ■fT^'iiTi'iWYiJ vriiili^i ini'ir?i ti'Vf ft'- lirWiiKiiiifiWit'i' r'lYilii-i'i■
MARCH 2019 AT A GLIMPSE
Mar 2 FoCP Nature Walk
^^
Mar Morning Bird Walk
Mar FoNA Tree Walk
Mar Morning Bird Walk
Mar FoCP Nature Walk
Mar 17*'’ Sunday Bird Watch
Mar 20*'’ Morning Bird Waik/Public Lecture
Mar 27*'’ Morning Bird Walk
Mar 29*'’ Charity Golf Day
Bird ringing every Tuesday morning (check with
Ornithology section. National Museums).
Birders Please Note! The Wednesday Morning Birdwalks
meet at 8:30 am at the Nairobi Nationai Museum. Transport
is on a seif-help basis. The group meets in the courtyard
of the Nairobi National Museum, past the entrance to the
galleries. We normally return at about 12:30 pm.
The Sunday Birdwatch on the THIRD Sunday of each month
now also meets at 8:30 am, at the same location. It is a day
trip; please bring water and lunch.
Mombasa Birdwalks On the 3rd Saturday of each month.
For meeting time and place, please contact Taibali Hamzali
<[email protected]> / 0733-980540; or Doris Schaule
<dorischaule(S)qmail.com> / 0722-277752. Or check Facebook
page: <https://www.facebook.com/qroups/FFJmombasa/>
Oi Doinyo Orok Mountain Day Excursion
Contact the office for information on other birdwalks in Kakamega,
Kisumu, and other sites
6th April 2019
Ngong Forest walks - 1st and 3rd Saturday at 9.00 am. Contact
Simon 0729-840715
Activities
AA/ildlife & Watching
Sight seeing &'Pictur^sque sceneries
Charges (: oYer:
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r T ' 1 m V
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