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Durant, S.M.; Foley, C.; Foley, L.; Kazaeli, C.; Keyyu, J.; Konzo, E.; Lobora, A.; Magoma, N.; Mduma, S.; Meing'ataki, G.E.O.; Midala, B.D.V.M.; Minushi, L.; Mpunga, N.; Mpuya, P.M.; Rwiza, M.; Tibyenda, R.
The Tanzania Small Carnivore Conservation Action Plan
2009  Full Book

This report covers the proceedings of the First Tanzania Small Carnivore Conservation Action Plan Workshop held at TAWIRI on 19th-21st April 2006. The workshop brought together key stakeholders to assess existing information and establish a consensus on priorities for research and conservation for 28 species of small to medium carnivore in Tanzania (excluding cheetah, wild dogs, aardwolf, spotted hyaena, striped hyaena, leopard and lion, all of which were covered in other workshops). Recent records were used to confirm the presence of 27 of these species in Tanzania. These were three species of cats or felids: serval (_Leptailurus serval_); caracal (_Caracal caracal_) and wild cat (_Felis silvestris_). Five mustelids: Cape clawless otter (_Aonyx capensis_); spotted-necked otter (_Hydrictis maculicollis_); honey badger (_Mellivora capensis_); striped weasel (_Poecilogale albinucha_); and zorilla (_Ictonyx striatus_). Four canids: bat-eared fox (_Otocyon megalotis_); black-backed jackal (_Canis mesomelas_); golden jackal (_Canis aureus_); side-striped jackal (_Canis adustus_). Four viverrids: common genet (_Genetta genetta_); large-spotted genet (_Genetta maculata_); servaline genet (_Genetta servalina_); and African civet _(Viverra civettina_). One palm civet: two-spotted palm civet (_Nandinia binotata_). Ten mongooses or herpestids: bushy-tailed mongoose (_Bdeogale crassicauda_); Egyptian mongoose (_Herpestes ichneumon_); banded mongoose (_Mungos mungo_); dwarf mongoose (Helogale parvula); marsh mongoose (_Atilax paludinosus_); Meller's mongoose (_Rhyncholgale melleri_); slender mongoose (_Galerella sanguinea_); Sokoke dog mongoose (_Bdeogale omnivora_); Jackson's mongoose (_Bdeogale jacksoni_) and whitetailed mongoose (_Ichneumia albicauda_). Records were received for an additional species: miombo genet (_Genetta angolensis_) need verification. Two of the species listed are classified as threatened by IUCN: Jackson's mongoose and Sokoke dog mongoose. The records from the Tanzania carnivore database were used to compile distribution maps for each species. The diversity of Tanzania's carnivores is impressive; however there is very little information on most species. Nonetheless, a number of threats were identified, which were listed as due to decreases in prey availability, land use change, anthropogenic killing, inadequate management, disease and domestic animals. Different species had varying vulnerability to each threat which is likely to be, at least in part, mediated by interspecific competition with other carnivore species. There is a need to obtain further information on distribution, ecological requirements and threats for most species. It is important that Tanzanians are informed about how to identify the different species, and a bank of DNA and tissue and representative specimens was prioritised to provide a resource to aid research and identification. National and regional conservation priorities were listed for 18 species: caracal; serval; wild cat; spotted-necked otter; African clawless otter; striped weasel; golden jackal; side-striped jackal; black-backed jackal; bateared fox; African civet; Two spotted palm civet; servaline genet; miombo genet; Meller's mongoose; marsh mongoose; Sokoke dog mongoose; and Jackson's mongoose. A further four species were listed as not threatened, but have realised or potential economic importance: honey badger due to conflict with honey gatherers; banded mongoose due to conflict in some areas with ground nut farmers; and white-tailed mongoose and Egyptian mongoose due to a potential benefits from the ability of both species to control rodent populations. Another four species were listed as unlikely to be threatened, however information needs were identified, largely to do with establishing extent of distribution and genetic phylogeny: common genet; large-spotted genet; slender mongoose; and bushy-tailed mongoose. The remaining two species were listed as not threatened and no national or regional priorities were identified: zorilla and the dwarf mongoose. Managers need information on the status and threats of all these species to plan management activities, mediate conflict where it exists, and enable conservation. The priorities laid out in this action plan report provide a first step in this process which, when implemented, will aid the conservation of the species covered in the plan and improve our understanding of the requirements of each species.

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