Awareness, Habitats and Population Status of the Endangered Rungwecebus kipunji in Mt. Rungwe Nature Reserve, Tanzania
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Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MUST Journal of Research and Development
Abstract
The Mount Rungwe Nature Reserve in Tanzania is a significant ecological area
that protects the endangered Rungwecebus kipunji. The goal of the study was to
analyze the ecological habitat and population of R. kipunji in Mount Rungwe
Nature Reserve. During our study, we recorded 412 (mean: 41.2 ± S.E: 5.7) R.
kipunji individuals in the reserve. The R. kipunji population was found in a
comparatively low abundance at sites with a significant number of anthropogenic
activities. Human activities were observed to occur less frequently (χ2 = 40.76, p =
0.0001) inside the nature reserve (n = 33, 17.19%) than outside and/or along the
border zones (n = 159, 82.81%). Respectively, the peeling of tree bark and
firewood collection were the most common anthropogenic indicators found inside
and outside the forest reserve. We also found that >40% of male and > 30% of
female respondents were aware of R. kipunji’s presence. We found that 30% of
female and 32% of male respondents had previously received conservation
education. In comparison to other age groups, >25% of respondents aged > 45
years old claimed to have already learned about R. kipunji. Furthermore, 48% of
the respondents claimed that Mount Rungwe Nature Reserve helps them live by
providing fuelwood and building materials. People aged 31–43 and > 43 years old
collect fuelwood and building materials, respectively, while those under 31 years
old collect food resources. In summary, our findings imply that, to improve R.
kipunji, local residents surrounding the forest reserve should be made aware of
the species to reduce anthropogenic activities within and along the reserve's
buffer zones. Thus, our findings suggest that the R. kipunji populations and
habitat quality in Mount Rungwe Nature Reserve could be used as a benchmark
for the conservation of other endangered species elsewhere.
Description
This research article was published by MUST Journal of Research and Development in 2022