Kisite Mpunguti MPA is home to East Africa's Second Largest Population of Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins

The Kisite Mpunguti Marine Protected Area (KMMPA) covers and area of approximately 39 sq. km south of Wasini Island. The wildlife it contains is an important tourist attraction and therefore of economic value to both surrounding communities and the Kenyan government, including GVI's partner, Kenya Wildlife Service, which collects revenue from park fees to finance the management and conservation of protected areas and wildlife in Kenya. Almost every day of the year boat operators bring tourists to the KMMPA to dive and snorkel, but the most significant drawcard these days is the dolphin watching opportunities, with Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) most frequently encountered, and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) also resident year round.

The marine research programme operated by GVI has been developed to satisfy the objectives of KWS in managing wildlife, tourism and other human activities in the area. After 3 full years of research we are happy to report that GVI are able to estimate the absolute abundance of bottlenose dolphins at around 122 individuals. This makes it the second largest known population on the East African coast. The largest is at Kizimkazi in southern Unguja Island, Zanzibar, which holds between 139 and 179 individuals based on research conducted by Stockholm University in collaboration with the University of Dar es Salaam's Institute of Marine Sciences.

Photo-identification and mark-recapture analysis have been employed in both studies, enabling a comparison of population estimates in the region. Photo-identification refers to the identification of individual animals by distinctive features (shape, outline, natural markings and scarring) of the dorsal fins, flanks and flukes. Some scars will remain throughout the lifespan of the animal whilst others will be acquired then fade; the depth and severity of the wound will determine how long it will serve as a unique identification marker for the individual. These distinctive characteristics enable individuals to be recognised when re-sighted and when we plot the rate at which we find new individuals that we haven't identified before, we can estimate the population size; put very (very!) simply, when we stop finding new individuals we know we have 'captured' (on film!) the whole population. Of course research is never that simple so we employ some handy statistics to work out all the complicated parts! Photo-identification also enables us to look at residency rates (whether individuals remain year round or migrate seasonally) and data such as inter-birth intervals, ranging patterns, mortality and social relationships.

Kenya Wildlife Service introduced a code of conduct in 2007 to regulate the interaction of boat operators with the dolphins their tourists are paying to see; unregulated tourism including visitors wanting to swim with wild dolphins has been shown in studies around the world to affect feeding behaviours and even the ability of mothers to care for their calves, causing populations to decline. Despite swimming with dolphins being prohibited in Kenya since 2007, the impact of current tourism activities on the dolphin populations in and around the KMMPA is unknown, in particular it is not known if current levels are sustainable. With the first population estimation for Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins provided by GVI and our volunteers over the years, we can now monitor trends in the population level and give KWS the information they need to assess the sustainability and management of tourism in the area.

Kisite Mpunguti MPA is home to East Africa's Second Largest Population of Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins

Mapping Shimoni Forest

Matt wrote before about the colobus census in Shimoni East forest, for volunteer Marta's masters dissertation. The aim of her dissertation is to assess the effects of forest fragmentation on the distribution of the Angolan black and white colobus.

The main bulk of her practical field work was the census which was successfully completed. To go hand in hand with that data, and provide the information needed to utilise GIS mapping systems, we needed to get GPS coordinates of the entire circumference of the forest... a far more challenging task than we imagined...

Matt and Marta spent two days traversing the perimeter of the forest on foot, with GPS in hand, recording coordinates every 10 seconds. Starting at the southern most point they walked north east following the forest edge that meets Shimoni village, and ended at the northern boundary of the forest, beyond the village of Anziwani. It was enormously challenging because the edge of the forest is a mosaic of very thick, dense new growth, shrubs, thorns and thickets! And following the rains everything was green, thick, overgrown and distinguishing forest edge from regenerating farmland and sporadic stands of trees was not an easy task.

It was an adventure though and despite the bruises, scratches and tired legs, Matt and Marta remained focused on the fact that once complete, her dissertation will add to our knowledge about Shimoni forest and support its conservation.

Mapping Shimoni Forest

Community Conservation And Environmental Education At The Other End Of The Island

Today was a little different for the marine research team of GVI staff and volunteers as they headed to the other end of Wasini Island to give a series of lectures to the Wasini Locally Managed Marine Area (WLMMA) group. we headed out of Mkwiro village in two groups; one on foot along the mangroves on the south shore of the island, the other in Squirrel our trusty dinghy, heading West down the channel to Wasini village.

On arrival we were ushered to the football club by Feisal, one of the WLMMA committee. We waited patiently for the rest of the community participants to arrive and then begun with a prayer by one of the village elders, a man of eminent presence, dressed head to toe in flowing white topped off with traditional kofia, but with a modern edge about him; hearing aid and flashy shades! Before the presentations kicked off, we all introduced ourselves, and learnt that amongst the members of the WLMMA were a number of fishermen and village elders, confirming that this was a community serious about managing their marine resources.

The WLMMA committee begun in 2003 when NGO PACT Kenya visited to educate local communities about the value of their environment and ways to conserve it to ensure long term sustainable resource use and highlighting particular marine habitats around their village that were susceptible to the negative impacts of unregulated fishing and tourism.

The locally managed marine area of Wasini runs from the West tip of the island around the coastline to mid-way along the long north shore of the island, encompassing several mangrove areas and the reef in front of the village. The group have already introduced mooring buoys to mitigate the damage done by anchors and have daily boat patrols to apprehend anyone fishing illegally, including spear0gun fishing and dynamite fishing.

Another objective of the group is to take tourists out to their reef for snorkeling trips, and our job today was to educate the group on several aspects of the marine environment including; conservation, mangrove ecology, marine mammal biology with whale and dolphin species identification, sea turtles, reef fish and practical aspects of marketing and company etiquette! The presentations went brilliantly with our students becoming very involved, asking many questions and teaching our volunteers kiswahili names for the wildlife and some local traditions associated with them.

After a 'chai and cake' break in their new 'eco' restaurant with the Wasini delicacy of sea grass on the menu, we had a game of football with the children and were the taken out snorkeling, which was an amazing experience. We had been warned that we wouldn't see fish reach the enormous sizes we are used to in the nationally protected Kisite Marine Park, but it did not damper the experience, with everything in miniature instead. Amongst the wonderful diversity, we saw anemone fish, an Indian lionfish lurking beneath an overhanging rock, black-saddled tobies, juvenile black snappers and an emperor angel fish elegantly gliding around the reef. A very rewarding day from start to finish!

Community Conservation And Environmental Education At The Other End Of The Island

Eco-Trail Blazing Through Shimoni Forest

I write to you with very tired legs, blistered hands and aching arms, but with good news! Today we headed out in to Shimoni Forest to help members of Friends of Shimoni Forest plan, cut and tag the trail that we hope they will be taking tourists on!

Friends of Shimoni Forest have been planning these guided tours through the forest for a while now, and it is exciting to be putting the plan in to action. The idea is to take tourists on walks in to the forest to visit the scared Kaya forest shrines and experience the amazing biodiversity.

The day had its moments of sadness and frustration as we confirmed our fears that it was simply not possible to take a route to the Kayas without passing through swathes of destruction. The areas of prime mature forest are becoming increasingly fragmented and patchy. This was expected though and attempting to manoeuvre tourists through only untouched forest would have been covering up a problem that we need to raise awareness of. This way they will see both sides; the results of over-exploitation and unsustainable resource use and the amazing coastal forest as it should be.

Raising awareness of the forest and the issues that confront it is one of the most important roles we can take. Guided walks will not only show visitors what is happening but we hope will feedback in to the local community that will be guiding the tourists. In addition we hope it will generate valuable revenue for Friends of Shimoni Forest to fund activities such as forest patrols, tree planting, school scholarships and training in alternative, sustainable livelihoods for those that currently feel they have no economic option but to exploit their resources for the short term benefit, such as the charcoal burning we witnessed below.

Eco-Trail Blazing Through Shimoni Forest

Intern Excursion to Funzi Island

Howzitt!

My name is Nic, a conservation student from South Africa. I have joined GVI as a volunteer on their Conservation Internship in Kenya to gain experience in marine biology.

As part of my internship I am undertaking a personal project on the socio-economic impact and tourism strategies of Funzi Island, involving a base line review of their turtle conservation efforts. This includes looking at; areas that require development for direct and indirect benefits of the community-based Turtle Conservation Group (TCG) and local turtle populations; identify possible areas of conflict with local laws and legislation in place to protect turtles; research alternative conservation strategies; identify areas in which GVI could support the TCG; identify ways to improve the sustainability of eco-tourism; increasing local awareness of turtle conservation issues; identify environmental impacts of current tourism and mitigation.

With Sergi, GVI's marine research field staff, I made my way to Funzi for the weekend, to meet Douglas who works with GVI's partner, Kenya Sea Turtle Conservation Committee (KESCOM) and Ali Vuyaa, chairman of the Funzi Island Turtle Club. We arrived at Bodo village where Funzi Turtle Club met us and took us across in their boat to the island. Over the course of the weekend we discussed conservation strategies already in place and the involvement of the local community. We also took a walk through the forest where exotic fruits were tasted and monkeys swung freely in the canopy above. A turtle nesting site was visited at an excluded beach cove, we were given a village tour, lunched at the local restaurant, were shown the local village Kaya shrines, and were shown the local handicrafts.

A down side to this trip was to witness the destruction by land developers to the forest and mangroves on the island, which the local community are trying to combat through their TCG and KESCOM.

The island of Funzi is a marvel, where the sights and the people create a magical ambiance which should be explored and protected. I personally am looking forward to future visits and working alongside the TCG and local community to develop a role for GVI in supporting their eco-tourism objectives. Funzi Island must remain a majestic, tranquil, beautiful island for the people, the turtles and other wildlife that depend on the ecosystem here, and I am happy to part of that positive change.

Intern Excursion to Funzi Island

Shimoni East Colobus Census Part 2

Yesterday we tackled transects 1, 2 and 3 plus the two parallel routes that fell between them. there was some tricky travelling, navigating through dense undergrowth with a compass (GPS coverage is not strong enough to rely upon here!) and trying to keep five separate groups in step with each other by counting paces... 21,000 paces for each group!

Today was the second half, covering transects 4, 5 and 6 and all the parallel routes in between. Unfortunately we ran out f people to hit transect 6 and 100m route beyond, so there will be a day 3 ahead of us. But we had more sightings today, with 9 groups of colobus! Also 9 groups of sykes monkeys, but no baboons. Today's cameo appearances (or casual observations!) were provided by multiple suni (tiny forest antelope... a pet cat could bring these down!) four Zanj elephant shrews, red-capped robin chats, sunbirds and black kites. Having so many eyes in the forest at one time is awesome!

Shimoni East Colobus Census Part 2

Shimoni East Colobus Census 2009

This will be the first of a two part update on some exciting research going on in Shimoni forest. We are aiming to build on work previously done by Julie Anderson and repeated by GVI in 2007... a colobus census of Shimoni East forest.

Marta is one of our expedition volunteers, working towards her masters degree in Environmental Modelling, Monitoring and Reconstruction! She is using her time with GVI in Kenya to do the field work for her thesis, focusing on the colobus, so we were more than happy to adapt our schedule to work with her.

We timed the census for when we had the largest group of volunteers here in Shimoni, and managed to get a huge forest group of 15 fired up and ready to take on the forest. The census requires a primate survey along all of our transects which are spaced 200m apart, plus groups going in between them, following compass bearings through the bush, so we effectively survey at 100m intervals to avoid missing any groups.

In an ideal world we would have enough people to cover the whole forest in one morning, but Shimoni forest is no stroll in the park, so we had to split it over 2 days. For the groups going 'off-road' between our established transects, it was rough going; plenty of crawling through thickets and fighting off thorns. However the sense of adventure won through and it was with smiling faces that they headed back to base.

On day 1, five groups of colobus were sighted, ten groups of sykes monkeys and one of yellow baboons. Special guest appearances included a pair of Zanj elephant shrews, hornbills, African fish eagles and an abundance of red bellied coastal squirrels!

Shimoni East Colobus Census 2009