Mammals

A monogamous species, which forms pairs that change only when one individual dies. Each pair shares a stable home range of around 1.7 ha, which is defended sex-specifically against intruders; males chase off intruding males, and females chase off other females. Members of a pair spend little time together, and communicate by leaving regular scent marks throughout their territories. The species is active during the day, spending most of its time hunting for invertebrates amongst the leaf litter. Prey species include earthworms, millipedes, beetles and termites. The animals probe the leaf litter with their long noses, and dig out prey with their forefeet. The species is restricted to the forest floor and never burrows or climbs. At night individuals sleep alone in one of several widely scattered dry-leaf nests on the forest floor. A different nest is chosen each night to avoid detection by predators. Breeding occurs throughout the year, with females giving birth to a single young after a gestation period of around 40 days. The young are confined to the nest for about the first two weeks, after which time they are weaned. They are independent by the fifth day after emerging from the nest, but generally remain in their parents’ range until they define their own ranges, between 5 and 20 weeks later. Females are thought to be capable of producing up to six young each year. The life expectancy for the species is around 4-5 years. It is predated by harriers (Circus sp.) and snakes such as black mambas (Dendroaspis polylepis) and forest cobras (Naja melanoleuca). The species appears to have a commensal relationship with red-capped robin-chats (Cossypha natalensis). These birds follow the elephant-shrews through the forest and feed on invertebrates that they leave behind.

Inhabits coastal dense scrub forest and lowland semi-deciduous forest.

Unknown. The Arabuko--Sokoke Forest is thought to support 10,000-20,000 individuals, with small populations surviving in other fragmented forest patches.

Populations densities in the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest decreased by c. 30% between 1993 and 1996 from an estimated 20,000 to 14,000 individuals. Population trends in other areas are unknown, with the exception of the small population at Gede Ruins National Monument, which declined from approximately 70 individuals in the 1970s to fewer than 15 in the early 1990s.

Classified as Endangered (EN B1ab(iii)) by the 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

The species is threatened primarily by habitat destruction. Its forest habitat has become highly fragmented, and most remaining areas are thought to be too small to support viable populations. The only sizeable area of forest in which the species occurs is under pressure from forestry practices such as tree and pole cutting, and encroachment for agriculture. Elephant-shrews are known to shelter from predators in hollow trees. However, many of the trees favoured by the species are being removed by woodcarvers who supply the tourist industry with carvings of African wildlife. The removal of these trees may make the elephant-shrews more vulnerable to natural predators as well as introduced species such as dogs. The animals are also trapped and eaten by local people, which might be affecting their numbers.

The species occurs mainly in the 420 km² Arabuko-Sokoke Forest in Kenya, which is protected and managed by the Forest Department and Kenya Wildlife Service. A 25 year Strategic Management Plan (2002-2027) for the forest has been developed, which focuses on promoting long-term conservation through sustainable management and community participation in forest conservation. The species was monitored in the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest under a 3-year (2003-2005) USAID funded project run by Nature Kenya (the Kenyan partner to BirdLife International), and some research has been conducted on the impact of trapping on the species. The species occurs in several isolated forest fragments (kaya forests) which have been gazetted as National Monuments as a result of a project run by the Coast Forest Conservation Unit (National Museums of Kenya). However, while development and encroachment are prohibited in these areas, there is only limited protection for biodiversity. The species has never successfully bred in captivity, although several animals were kept successfully at Frankfurt Zoo.

The IUCN has produced a Conservation Action Plan for this species which recommends that the conservation strategy should be aimed primarily at protecting the species’ habitat. There is also an immediate need for additional field surveys to determine the status and conservation needs of the species, especially north of the Tana River, Kenya. The effect of subsistence hunting on the species should be monitored. If trapping is to continue then it must be managed to ensure it is sustainable; otherwise the species should receive complete protection. There is some evidence that elephant-shrews may adapt to altered habitats, provided there is suitable cover, leaf litter and plentiful invertebrates. Such reports need to be investigated as they will have an influence on the development of conservation programmes. There have been some recent successes in captive breeding of the black and rufous elephant-shrew (R. petersi), indicating that it is possible to maintain giant elephant-shrews in captivity. If the population of the golden-rumped elephant shrew is found to be critically low then attempts should be made to improve husbandry techniques so that this species may also be bred in captivity.

The sengi website
Detailed information on elephant-shrews. Includes a bibliography, photo gallery and research contacts.

IUCN-SSC Afrotheria Specialist Group
Aims to determine the status of many poorly known afrotherian species (the aardvark, hyraxes, sengis, golden-moles, and tenrecs) and develop conservation strategies for those that are threatened. The group also aims to encourage research, improve coordination, and increase awareness of the importance of conserving afrotherians and their habitats.

Friends of the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, Watamu, Kenya
The FoASF was started in October 1999 by concerned individuals and institutions to link people interested in the conservation of the Forest with the present Forest Managers.

ARKive. (Aug 2005).

FitzGibbon, C. & Rathbun, G. 2006. Rhynchocyon chrysopygus. In: IUCN 2006. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 09 August 2006.

Macdonald, F. (ed.). 2001. The New Encyclopedia of Mammals. Oxford University Press, Oxford and New York.

Nicoll, M. E. and Rathbun, G. B. 1990. African Insectivora and Elephant-Shrews: An Action Plan for their Conservation. IUCN/SSC Insectivore, Tree-Shrew and Elephant-Shrew Specialist Group. IUCN: Gland, Switzerland.

Nowak, R.M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World. Sixth edition. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore and London.

Rathbun, G. B. 1979. Rhynchocyon chrysopygus. Mammalian Species. (117:1-4). American Society of Mammalogists.

Rathbun, G. B. and Kyalo, S. N. 2000. Golden-rumped Elephant-shrew. In Reading, R. P. and Miller, B. (eds) Endangered Animals: A Reference Guide to Conflicting Issues. Greenwood Press.

Sengi website

Distribution map based on data provided by the IUCN Global Mammal Assessment.