Department of Animal Biology and Conservation Science (DABCS)

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    Species distribution of kobs (Kobus kob) in the Shai Hills Resource Reserve: an exploratory analysis
    (Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 2018-02) Antwi, R.A.; Owusu, E.H.; Attuquayefio, D.K.
    The well-being of a species fundamentally rests on understanding its biology, home range, and distribution. The highly seasonal distribution of kobs poses conservation and management difficulties, particularly because of the capricious nature of the ever-changing ecological and vegetation dynamics of the ecosystem. Assessing the distribution of kobs and their associated vegetation provides insight into the vulnerability and conservation status of the species. Species distribution and habitat suitability maps were developed and created respectively for the management of kobs in the Shai Hills Resource Reserve. Kob presence data collected was analyzed using the spatial analyst and Hawth’s tool in the ArcGIS software where the gradients of kob distribution within the protected area landscape were plotted and mapped. Seven environmental variables including location, land cover/use, slope/elevation, nearness to dams and rivers, temperature, and rainfall were considered to have effect on kob distribution pattern and as such used in the development of species distribution and habitat suitability maps. The results indicated that kobs in the Shai Hills Resource Reserve (SHRR) assume a clumped or contagious distribution pattern where individual kobs are aggregated in patches. Rainfall, temperature, nearness to dams and rivers, slope/elevation, and land cover/use had influence in kob distribution. Of all the cataloged habitats, 86, 13, and 1% were moderately suitable, suitable, and unsuitable, respectively. Long-term survival of species depends on adequately large areas of suitable habitats and opportunities for home range activities between such areas. As such, it is recommended that suitable habitats for kobs be dedicated and designated as conservation areas, especially areas along the western boundary.
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    Trade in wildlife for traditional medicine in Ghana: therapeutic values, zoonoses considerations, and implications for biodiversity conservation
    (Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 2019-05) Gbogbo, F.; Daniels, J.K.
    Overexploitation of wild animals, increasing recognition of pharmacological value of animals and the growing need to protect traditional knowledge and cultural environmental resources, have recently exacerbated the world’s interest in zootherapy. In this paper, we provided information on the wild animal species traded for traditional medicine in markets across Accra, the capital of Ghana, their therapeutic values, conservation implications, and zoonoses risk. A total of 43 species of animals were recorded with 47% associated with the treatment of medical afflictions while 70% were connected to spiritual connotations in the form of charms meant for money rituals, protection, spiritual eyesight for prophesying and decoration of shrines. Approximately 15% of the traded species were of conservation concern including the Critically Endangered hooded vulture. The sale and use of the Straw-colored fruit bat, mice, and rats for traditional medicine raised concerns of zoonotic disease transmissions.
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    West Africa's Atlantic humpback dolphin (Sousa teuszii): Endemic, enigmatic and soon endangered?
    (African Zoology, 2011-04) Weir, C.R.; Waerebeek, K.V.; Jefferson, T.A.; Collins, T.
    Atlantic humpback dolphins (Sousa teuszii) are endemic to nearshore West African waters between Western Sahara and Angola. They are considered Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature based on restricted geographic range, low abundance and apparent decline in recent decades. We review the human activities most likely to affect the species and consider appropriate conservation actions. Bycatch (incidental capture) in gillnets is the greatest immediate threat. Deaths from entanglement have been documented in Mauritania, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea and the Republic of the Congo. In Namibe Province, Angola, 4.8 artisanal fishing boats and two gillnets per km were observed in some areas within 1 km of the coast and gillnets are deployed regularly inside bays used by dolphins. Other concerns include the 'marine bushmeat'- trade, habitat loss/degradation, overfishing, marine pollution, anthropogenic sound and climate change. Conservation challenges include a paucity of scientific data on the species, and widespread human poverty within most range states, resulting in high dependence on artisanal fisheries. Recommended conservation and research priorities include: (1) distribution and abundance surveys in known and potential range states, (2) bycatch monitoring programmes, (3) education/awareness schemes, and (4) protection of core areas via reduction/elimination of nearshore gillnetting.
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    The Muni-Pomadze Ramsar site
    (Biodiversity and Conservation, 2000-04) Gordon, C.; Ntiamoa-Baidu, Y.; Ryan, J.M.
    The Coastal Wetlands Management Project (CWMP), funded by the Global Environment Facility and implemented by the Ghana Wildlife Department, seeks to preserve the ecological integrity of coastal lagoons that serve as important sites for migratory waterbirds. This report describes the geomorphology, hydrology, soils, water chemistry, and vegetation of the Muni-Pomadze Ramsar site. Muni lagoon is a saline, shallow water lagoon separated from the sea by a sand bar which may be breached occasionally. The bulk of the rainfall in the catchment evaporates or flows as surface runoff into three streams that empty into Muni lagoon. Open water in the lagoon varies seasonally from 100 ha in the dry season to over 1000 ha in the wet season. The natural flora of the site can be divided into four main types; flood plain (including mangrove and wetland vegetation), dune vegetation, riverine vegetation, and terrestrial vegetation on elevated ground. The latter consists of a combination of grasslands, thickets, and Eucalyptus plantations. Fifty-three percent of the site is classified as natural vegetation. An additional 32.5% is agricultural land and 12.6% is residential area for the 11 communities within the site. The main source of employment are farming or fishing. The area surrounding Muni lagoon is used extensively for bushmeat hunting and as the tribal hunting grounds of the Efutu people. Apart from the global importance of the Muni-Pomadze site for biodiversity, management of the site is further justified by its considerable potential for development as an income-generating and educational nature reserve with an eco-cultural theme, managed by the local communities in partnership with the governmental and non-governmental conservation agencies.
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    Mammal fauna of the Muni-Pomadze Ramsar site, Ghana
    (Biodiversity and Conservation, 2000-04) Ryan, J.M.; Attuquayefio, D.
    A survey of the terrestrial mammal fauna of Muni-Pomadze Ramsar site along the Ghana coastline recorded 13 species, with 9 additional species reported by local villagers. Small mammal communities are most diverse in the grassland-thicket habitats surrounding the lagoons. Less diverse communities were present in and around managed Ecalyptus plantations or near villages. Duikers, antelope, bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus), and cane rats (Thryonomys swinderianus) are hunted (or trapped) for bushmeat. Bushbuck, in particular, play an important role in certain cultural ceremonies at Muni-Pomadze. Conservation efforts at these localities should focus on the management of bushmeat species and the establishment of a long-term monitoring program using small mammal communities as bioindicators of the health of the terrestrial habitats bordering Muni Lagoon.
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    Myths, taboos and biodiversity conservation: The case of hunters in a rural community in Ghana
    (Ecology, Environment and Conservation, 2014-10) Emieaboe, P.A.; Ahorsu, K.E.; Gbogbo, F.
    Reported in this paper are the results of interviews conducted with 35 hunters in the Akposo Tradionional Area in the Volta Region of Ghana on animal myths and taboos of the people of Akposo and the awareness of the hunters on Ghana Wildlife Regulations. The taboos and myths were analysed for their significance to biodiversity conservation in the area. Approximately 94.3% and 97.1% of the hunters respectively were not aware of the close season and license requirement for hunting, contrary to high levels of awareness and compliance with many of the myths and taboos. In spite of the popularity of the myths and taboos they appeared to have played minimal role in the protection and conservation of biodiversity in the area because they either misdirect attention from real conservation problems or have a ritual as a remedy for the violation which serve as an antidote against the intrigue and fascination associated with the beliefs. Rather than integration of the myths and taboos into biodiversity management, there is the need for resource managers in the area to focus on education of the hunters and enforcement of the Wildlife Conservation Regulation to achieve set targets for species protection and conservation