Photo credit: Galen Rathbun, California Academy of Sciences
The Golden-Rumped Sengi, Rhynchocyon chrysopygus, is listed as ‘ENDANGERED’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM. Also known as the Golden-Rumped Elephant-shrew, this species has a large, flexible snout, with which it forages through leaf-litter for invertebrates. Its range is along the coast of Kenya, from the Mombasa area north to the mouth of the Tana River. There is no longer any evidence that it crosses the river – instead, a potentially different species is found between the Tana and Somalia.
The Golden-Rumped Sengi is severely threatened by habitat destruction along the Kenyan coast, with forests being relentlessly cleared for farming, development and timber collection. Illegal trapping of this species for food also occurs, although current levels are thought to be sustainable.
Although there are no specific conservation measures in place for this species other than a monitoring programme, it does occur within the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest. This partially protected area is the focus of a project to promote long-term conservation through sustainable management and community participation in forest conservation.
Geographic Range of the Golden-Rumped Sengi
Credit: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™
To learn more about the Golden-Rumped Sengi, click here. Or visit the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ by clicking their logo below.
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