142 Briefly AFRICA


Addax now roaming free in Chad Ten Critically Endangered addax ante- lopes Addax nasomaculatus have been re- leased into Chad’s Ennedi Natural and Cultural Reserve, as part of an ongoing in- titiative to re-establish a viable population in the region. The animals were trans- ported from another reintroduction pro- gramme in Ouadi Rimé-Ouadi Achim Wildlife Reserve. They arrived in November 2023 and, after a period of monitoring and care, were released in December. There are plans to translocate more individuals and establish a healthy population exceeding 500,tosecurethe species’ long-term survival. The addax, a desert species once found in large num- bers in arid regions, disappeared from Chad in recent decades and the last re- maining viable population survives in Niger. Source: African Parks (2023) africanparks. org/addax-antelope-released-now-roaming- free-ennedi-natural-and-cultural-reserve


Sharp decline of African birds of prey Dozens of species of African birds of prey are in steep decline, with many now con- sidered to be at risk of extinction, accord- ing to a new analysis of data from across the continent. Farming and pesticide use, poisoning by poachers and infrastructure such as power lines that can be deadly to birds have reduced numbers of nearly all 42 species surveyed. This includes secre- tary birds, whichdeclinedby 85% over three generations, martial eagles (90%), and bateleurs (87%). Some birds not previ- ously thought to be threatened now are, the study found. The African hawk eagle forinstanceiscategorized as Least Concernonthe IUCN RedList, butises- timated to have declined by 91%. Data was gathered from.53,000 sightings of the 42 species on nearly 100,000 km of surveyed roads in Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, Cameroon, Botswana and Kenya between 1969 and 2020. Additional data came from the most recent Southern African Bird Atlas Project, a citizen science-led survey. The researchers found that de- clines were more than twice as severe in unprotected areas, suggesting that well- managed national parks and reserves are critical for the birds’ long-term survival. Sources: Nature Ecology & Evolution (2024) doi.org/gtcbkf & New Scientist (2024) newscientist.com/article/2410714-sharp- decline-of-african-birds-of-prey-puts- them-at-risk-of-extinction


Rare blind mole detected in South Africa after 87 years A blind mole that has been lost to science since 1936 has been found in South Africa. A research team from the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) and the University of Pretoria rediscovered De Winton’s golden mole Cryptochloris wintoni using environmental DNA. The moles live in inaccessible burrows, have extremely sensi- tive hearing and can detect vibrations from movement above ground, making them dif- ficult to locate. However, a dog trained to sniff out golden moles led the team to trails left behind by the burrowing mammals. The researchers collected soil samples from bea- ches and dunes on the north-west coast— including Port Nolloth beach, the only place where De Winton’sgoldenmole had previously been found—and determined that there were four species of golden mole: two Least Concern species, the Endangered Van Zyl’s golden mole and the Critically Endangered DeWinton’s golden mole. The EWT have since identified four more popu- lations of the latter. Source: EWT (2023) ewt.org.za/ conservation-news/media-releases


First rhinoceros pregnancy by in vitro fertilization There is new hope for saving the northern white rhinoceros Ceratotherium simum cot- toni from extinction. There are only two in- dividuals of this subspecies left on the planet, both females: Najin and her daugh- ter Fatu. Both are kept at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. The subspecies is al- ready functionally extinct, but scientists have turned to radical fertility science to bring these animals back from the brink. After many failed attempts, they have achieved the first rhinoceros pregnancy using in vitro fertilization (IVF), successful- ly transferring a lab-created embryo into a surrogate mother of a closely related sub- species, the southern white rhinoceros Ceratotherium simum simum. The project has taken years and has had to overcome many challenges, from working out how to collect eggs from the animals, to creating embryos in a lab and establishing how and when to implant them. Sadly, the surrogate mother carrying the embryo died 70 days into the pregnancy from an infection. However, her case showed that the tech- nique had worked and that a viable preg- nancy through IVF is possible. The next step will be to try implanting northern white embryos into southern white surro- gate mothers. Source: BBC (2024) bbc.co.uk/news/ science-environment-68064432


Fruit bats need conservation action Species of Pteropus, Acerodon and related genera in the subfamily Pteropodinae, also known as large Old World fruit bats, are important seed dispersers and pollinators across the Paleotropics. Yet 71% of the 75 existing species are at risk of extinction. Researchers have drawn on data from IUCN Red List assessments and an exten- sive literature review, revealing a concern- ing decline. The scientists highlight how the keystone role that these species play in their native ecosystems is being compro- mised by declining populations, and the cascading effects that this may have. Threats faced by the bats include hunting, land-use changes, habitat degradation, cli- mate change, invasive species, urbanization and persecution. The researchers propose a comprehensive conservation strategy, in- cluding habitat restoration, monitoring, modeling of population trends, engaging local communities, strengthening legisla- tion and enforcement, captive breeding and increasing research capacity. Sources: Annual Review of Ecology, Evolu- tion, and Systematics (2023) doi.org/md97 &Phys.org(2023) phys.org/news/2023-12- vital-species-emphasizes-action.html


Invertebrate BioBlitz in Mauritius Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and partners have long been working to con- serve species of the Mauritian offshore is- lands, including reptiles, birds, giant tortoises and highly threatened plants. However, invertebrates are one of the most overlooked yet vital parts of the eco- system, playing a crucial role in food webs and providing services such as pollination, decomposition and soil improvement. In 2023, the Durrell team in Mauritius com- pleted an invertebrate BioBlitz, creating a snapshot of the variety of life in selected lo- cations. In seven expeditions, they explored offshore islands over 86 days. Using techni- ques such as pitfall traps and sweep netting, over 45,000 individual invertebrates were captured. Estimates suggest they represent c. 500 species, from moths and butterflies to beetles, flies and ants; some could even be new to science. The researchers will ana- lyse the results to find out how invertebrate communities vary between islands and how they may have been historically affected by habitat destruction or invasive species. Through a partnership with London’s Natural History Museum, the team are planning to identify the specimens to spe- cies level. Source: Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust (2023) durrell.org/news/looking-out-for- the-little-guys


Oryx, 2024, 58(2), 139–144 © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Fauna & Flora International doi:10.1017/S0030605324000218


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