ELEPHANT SHREWS...Ranger induction and I learn more about this fascinating creature



A world map and distances travelled by Peter and Galen
to Mareja to research...see drawing

The first day of field exploration for Galen and Peter and it began with an introduction to the Rangers.  The shrew mission was explained with maps and images, drawn with battery charcoal on the terrace floor.  They recognise the long nosed creature, and know of two ‘types’ locally Mpili larger and russet-brown, this is the exciting one a Rynchocyon sp. and another known as Rete smaller and later identified as Petrodromus tetradactylus (Four-toed Elephant Shrew). 

Four Rangers troupe off to show Galen and Peter some Mpilii and Rete habitat. An hour or so later and they return having seen two elephants but no shrew.  The name Elephant Shrew is somewhat misleading as it is not related at all to the Shrew however it is an ancient relative of the Elephant belonging to an order of mammals that emanate only from Africa the Afrotheria. 

Afrotheria include a wonderful  and diverse mix of other relatives, dugongs (seacow), aardvark, hyrax, golden moles and elephants.  There are 17 known species of Elephant Shrew (also called Sengi the Swahili name), very few and they are only found in East and North Africa and devoid from the Sahara and West.  They are best described as a cross between a miniature antelope and anteater.  I also learn from Galen they are monogamous, territorial and nurture their young by the ‘female absentee system’ which means the mother only feeds them once a day.  But her one or two young are born fully formed and ready to run and defend themselves.  Galen is one of only a handful of specialists who study Elephant Shrews, surprising considering their unique and fascinating ways.

After the first foray into the bush our scientists are full of renewed vigour, I think heartened by the signs of life and potential Sengi habitat.

We also see some wildlife....D and I go on a small drive to the damn and then beyond.  On returning guinea fowl and baboon are making a din.  We stop and there is a Serval about 50 m ahead with its long spotted and striped tail flicking as it saunters off along the track.  D manages to fix its face in the binoculars.  A clear view of a red data species