The field practical training on primate survey methods was offered through the CONTAN project. The Department of Ecosystems and Conservation of the Sokoine University of Agriculture in partnership with University of Florence, MUSE – Science museum, University of Copenhagen, University of Bayreuth, University of Dar es Salaam, and College of African Wildlife Management conducted field practical training on primate survey methods as a part of the biodiversity assessment, monitoring, and conservation.
On 19th September 2022, a total of 30 students studying MSc. Ecosystems Science and Management, and MSc. Forestry in the Department of Ecosystems and Conservation of the Sokoine University of Agriculture attended field practical training on the ecological methods for studying mammals in Udzungwa Mountains National park through Udzungwa Ecological Monitoring Centre.
Udzungwa Mountains National park is part of the Eastern Arc Mountains that form a diversity of life. It is among 36 Biodiversity hotspots in the world harboring about 36% of endemic plants and animal species. It is home to famous endemic species such as Sanje mangabey (Cercocebus sanjei), Udzungwa red colobus (Piliocolobus gordonorum), Udzungwa forest partridge (Xenoperdix udzungwensis) and rufous-winged sunbird (Cinnyris rufipennis) to mention few.
Mammals such as primates are good indicators of healthy ecosystems. They play an important role in ecosystems by providing essential services such as regulating insect populations, seed dispersal, and pollination.
Upon completion of the field practical training students were able to;
- Apply ecological different techniques for counting and surveying mammals and other related animals for ecological studies
- Set and use camera trapping techniques for collecting data on mammals
- Record field data from the survey for mammals’ ecology
Group photo of the instructors and students at Udzungwa Ecological Monitoring Centre.
Prof. Francesco Rovero from the University of Florence -Italy explains the camera trap method for studying primate ecology
Mr. Alafati Mtui from Udzungwa Ecological Monitoring Centre assisting students in setting Camera traps
Field data recording for mammal counts from camera traps
Funding line: European Union – Erasmus+ KA2 – Capacity Building in Higher Education (call EAC-A02-2019-CBHE)
Contact Us;
Project Coordinator,
Dr. Charles Kilawe,
CONTAN project
Department of Ecosystems and Conservation,
College of Forestry Wildlife and Tourism
PO Box 3010, Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania
ckilawe@sua.ac.tz
+255 752 581 069
