ASSESSMENT OF DISTRIBUTION OF SMALL CARNIVORES AND THEIR PREY IN ARABUKO-SOKOKE GAME RESERVE ALONG THE KENYAN COAST

Abstract

Globally, animal populations are threatened by various biodiversity interferences such as game hunting and forest fragmentation. Forest carnivores have been a focus of research in the recent past. Unlike the large carnivores, how small carnivores respond to habitat change and the underlying effects on them and prey populations is not well understood. In Arabuko Sokoke Game Reserve, small carnivore species have not been studied before and therefore their population is not well understood. The study hypothesized that there could be inherent variations in the distribution of small carnivore species and their prey in Arabuko Sokoke Game Reserve. Thus the key objective of the study was to assess the distribution of small carnivores and their prey in Arabuko Sokoke Game Reserve. Sixty nine (69) camera traps were randomly set in transects single camera stations which were installed at a distance of two kilometers intervals. Camera trap data from the traps were extracted using Picture Information Extractor software at the end of the research fieldwork. Data analysis was done using R software in built in the Sighting Base camera trap analysis tool. Results show that there were twenty eight (28) mammal species in the reserve, with only seven (7) species being small carnivore species. The results further indicate that there were no significant difference among species numbers found within the habitats clusters (c2=20, df=14, pvalue= 0.13). However, there was significant differences between the trophic levels (c2=11, df=4, p-value=0.03). Shannon diversity index showed Small carnivore species in Arabuko Sokoke Game Reserve were less diverse (H=0.95931649) as result of the low Shannon diversity index value. Only one species in Arabuko Sokoke Game Reserve was ranked as endangered and another one ranked as vulnerable; the Loxodonta africana (African elephant) and Cephalophus adersi (Aders’ duiker) respectively. Overall, there was no significant difference, (c2=20, df=14, p-value=0.13) between the animal species scientific names and the trophic levels. Competition among and between animal species was minimal as habitat shared almost the same habitat structure. The results suggest that mammalian carnivore vi population in Arabuko Sokoke Game Reserve were free to move within the different habitats in search of prey due to lack of physical barriers. The results further indicate strong confounders that influence expected compartment of predator species in their naturally preferred habitats. Despite the three unique habitat types in Arabuko Sokoke Game Reserve, small mammalian carnivores’ distribution was not skewed to any of the three habitats implying availability of food resources throughout the reserve. It would be interesting to carry out a similar study in the reserve to a wider coverage to assess mammalian carnivores and their associated prey species. Keywords: Camera trap, Diversity index, Small carnivores, Species