Arabuko-Sokoke, forest gem home to rare species

Arabuko-Sokoke Forest boasts the largest remnant of coastal forest in East Africa, and home to many endangered species. The forest currently hosts some of the little-known species that are not found anywhere else in the world, an attribute that has seen the forest designated as a Man and Biosphere Reserve.

A biosphere reserve is an area that comprises terrestrial, marine, and coastal ecosystems, and which promotes conservation while incorporating sustainable uses.

Conservationists say despite the challenges the forest faces, it remains key in the conservation of endangered species. “Such rare and endemic species is what makes Arabuko-Sokoke a Centre for Endemism because it is a home to animals and some plants that are not found anywhere else in the world,” Paul Gacheru, a species expert, said.

Being a designated Centre for Endemism means the forest is among the few areas that have a larger concentration of species that are not found anywhere else. “The forest is critical in the Coastal region. Besides being home to endangered and endemic species, it is also an important part to Mida Creek, acting as a catchment area and providing the freshwater needed for the flourishing of the seven mangrove species in the creek,” Gacheru said.

The little-known species of Arabuko-Sokoke include the golden-rumped sengi, also known as the Golden-rumped elephant shrew.

Golden-rumped sengi is the largest species of the elephant shrew family. In the latest assessment of the species in 2013 by the International Union of Conservation and Nature (IUCN) the population of the golden-rumped sengi stood at 13,000 individuals.

The assessment indicated that while the population of the species was decreasing in Arabuko-Sokoke, the forest remained an important spot beside other smaller patches in kaya forests and Dakatcha woodland. “Outside of Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, the major threat to this species is likely to be habitat loss as a result of clearance of scrub and woodland.” “Many of the kaya (sacred) forests have been severely degraded by tree felling and pole collecting, and their boundaries eroded by agricultural encroachment and fire,” IUCN noted.

Although Boni Forest is said to be a potential home to the species, there is currently no information on the status of the golden-rumped sengi in the area.

Sokoke Scops-owl is also endemic to the forest. Although it is found in coastal forests in Kenya and Tanzania, the 2016 assessment of the species revealed a decreasing trend.

Logging, mining and quarrying as well as severe drought as a result of climate change are cited as some of the threats facing the Sokoke-Scops owl. It is also listed as ‘Endangered’, meaning the remnants risk extinction in the wild. “This owl is listed as Endangered because it has a very small, severely fragmented range, within which its population and the quality of its habitat is declining,” IUCN assessment report noted.

Sokoke pipit is a species of bird also found within Arabuko-Sokoke. It is found in Kenya and Tanzania with its populations flagged as decreasing. It is also listed as ‘Endangered’. A 2016 assessment report of the bird species indicated that they are only found in 11 locations in the coastal forests in the two countries.

It is estimated that there are between 1600 and 3,400 individuals of Sokoke pipit globally. Clarke Weaver, a bird species are also found only in Arabuko and little-known Dakatcha woodland.

Nature Kenya Coast Regional Coordinator Francis Kagema said Arabuko-Sokoke is the remaining fragment of the Coastal forests that used to stretch from Somalis to Mozambique.

“Arabuko-Sokoke is critical because it is the last coastal forest fragment that hosts unique biodiversity. If the forest is wiped out, then we have to forget that there existed unique biodiversity in the Coastal forests,” Kagema said

 He added that while the forest is unique, it faces pressure from logging, firewood, and charcoal burning. A high number of elephant species within the forests, he added, is also a challenge as they have exceeded a carrying capacity.

“There are around 120,000 forest adjacent communities and the majority depend on the forest for firewood and poles.”

“The forest is like an island surrounded by villages and this puts pressure on it. Although there are other fragments of the coastal forests like Kaya forests, they have become so fragmented until they cannot hold a large number of species like Arabuko-Sokoke,” he added.   

Arabuko-Sokoke is also known for its butterflies, hosting over 250 species alongside Ader’s Duiker which is only found only in Sokoke and Zanzibar. Distinctive Sokoke Bushy-tailed Mongoose, African Golden Cat alongside unusual reptiles like Green Keel-bellied Lizard and Bunty’s Dwarf Toad are also found in Arabuko