This Fridays threatened species article focuses on our Liberian wildlife species and declines of west African fauna of which we focus our attention on Liberia. Liberia is an African country that has seen quite its fair share of wildlife declines. These declines are mainly attributed to deforestation, bush meat trade, poaching, habitat fragmentation and slash and burn techniques that has contributed to copious declines of wildlife nearing endangered levels. Liberian Mongoose: The Liberian Mongoose was identified back in 1958 by Dr Robert W. Hayman zoologist, botanist and environmentalist Dr Robert W. Hayman was known for his research and discoveries of both plant and mammal life. Liberian Mongoose scientifically identified as Liberiictis kuhni is a carnivorous Herpestidae mammal. Mongooses are mainly African, with one genus also widespread in Asia and southern Europe (and it has been widely introduced elsewhere). Several genera are restricted to Madagascar; these are placed in their own subfamily, Galidiinae. Overall, 34 species are found in about 20 genera. Mongooses are small carnivores. Their body lengths vary from around 230 mm to over 750 mm, and their weights range from less than 1 kg to around 5 or 6 kg. Most are brown or gray. A few species are striped, but most are not.. One must not forget too the Banded Mongoose see (pic 1). A very few species have banded tails. The claws are not retractile. Herpestids tend to have small heads, pointed snouts, and short, rounded ears that are not as conspicuously erect or pointed as those of viverrids. Many have anal (not perianal, as in viverrids) glands that secrete a foul-smelling substance. Male herpestids have a baculum. Back in the middle 1980s through to the early 1990s we almost lost the Liberian Mongoose. From 1988 the species was listed as (endangered) right through to 1996. However conservation efforts have increased Mongoose populations. Some species were reintroduced into areas where they had originally been pushed to local extinction. Unfortunately Liberiictis kuhni is now again bordering endangerment. Populations are again rapidly declining with no end in sight. The species has, since its last assessment (2012) been re-listed as (vulnerable). Should declines continue its most certain that within the next ten to fifteen years we will see a further re-listing of the Liberian Mongoose from (vulnerable to endangered) again. Native to Côte dIvoire and Liberia major threats are mainly that of the bush meat trade. A trade that has just within west Africa alone seen many birds, primates (old and new world), reptilians, marine and fresh water amphibians and fish pushed to near extinction. Over the past fifteen years there has been a 30% species decline which is probably why the species has never been re-listed as least concern. Its highly unlikely too that we will see the Liberian Mongoose ever seen as safe. With vast swathes of forest being logged, land converted to farmland using unsustainable agricultural practices and poaching its quite evident we will see not only the Liberian Mongoose extinct within the next 15-20 years but many more Liberian species verging extinction too. This is somewhat worrying as the vast majority of Liberians see bush meat as their staple diet regardless of the dangers that it poses such as Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever. Recap on major threats; Threats include habitat loss from agriculture, logging and mining, and hunting with dogs, shotguns, and snares to bush meat trade too. They may also be vulnerable to the use of pesticides in forest plantations, as worms are known to accumulate toxins at levels dangerous to mammalian predators.. What else do we know about the thirty three species of Mongoose? Smallest mongoose (dwarf mongoose) can reach 10 inch in length and weigh up to 0,5 pound. Largest (white-tailed mongoose) can reach 28-30 inches in length and weigh up to 8 pounds. They have grayish or brown fur, and some of them have striped coat and ringed tail. Mongooses are carnivores (meat-eaters). They eat rodents, birds, frogs, insects, eggs. They use solid objects to crash the shell of the egg or they throw eggs to the hard surface to break them. Mongooses are very fast and agile creatures. They can defeat venomous snakes thanks to these features. They have become immune to snake toxins and they can survive more than one snake bite in their lifetime. Mongooses live in abandoned burrows. They rarely dig burrows on their own. Some mongooses are solitary, while other live in large groups called packs. Large group of mongooses protect their young by attacking predators with their sharp claws. They have non-retractable claws, which mean that they cant hide them when they want. Their claws are visible all the time. Mongooses produce alarm calls when they spot a danger. Once annually, they produce high-pitched sounds called giggling to inform others that they are ready for mating. They also use scents to announce their reproductive status and to mark territory. Female has one litter per year that consists of 4 babies. They are born blind. Mongooses live around 4 years in the wild and up to 20 years in captivity. Thank you for reading. Dr Josa. C. Depre Environmentlaist and Botanist. [email protected] speakupforthevoiceless.org Please donate to our Funding African Wildlife Survival Project here using the right hand donate option. international-animalrescue-foundation.org.uk/mission-statement/ You can now make a donation automatically by clicking the donate monthly box. This option is easier and convenient for you. Just click the box, add your details to your own bank and they will donate a small sum from you to us every month. Donations and projects are all highlighted onto our main ENM site hereto >> speakupforthevoiceless.org/funding-african-wildlife-survival-update/ International Animal Rescue Foundation Africa is now working on a gift pack that will be sent out to all those that donate via post. When you donate youll be sent a gift pack and fact sheets to help us preserve our delicate environment with prepaid envelopes and instructions within. Gift packs will be available next Spring 2015 :D that will also include our own teddy IARFA mascot :D Pic - 1 Banded Mongoose Pic - 2 Liberian Mongoose
Posted on: Fri, 03 Oct 2014 01:38:41 +0000
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