Rationale

This is an edge of range species within the assessment region, occurring in two isolated subpopulations in northern KwaZulu-Natal and north-eastern Limpopo, which correspond to the two subspecies C. o. obtusirostris and C. o chrysillus respectively. The total combined (for both subspecies) extent of occurrence and is estimated to be 11,970 km² and area if occupancy is 5,218 km², which would qualify the species as Vulnerable B1 ab (iii) due to local habitat degradation from overgrazing and fuelwood harvesting. Assessing each subspecies separately would qualify C. o. obtusirostris as Vulnerable B2ab(iii), as there is presumably no habitat degradation in the area where C. o chrysillus occurs. However, we do not assess at subspecies level as both subspecies occur in transfrontier conservation areas (Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park and Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation and Resource Area for C. o. obtusirostris and C. o chrysillus respectively) that connect the assessment region to the bulk of the global population in Mozambique and Zimbabwe. As such, habitat loss is not a major threat within the assessment region. Globally, the species is widespread, tolerates mild habitat alteration and is not heavily impacted by human activities, so the presumably large global population is unlikely to be in decline. Thus we employ the regional criterion and list the species as Near Threatened B1ab(iii) because the global population is unlikely to decline and the assessment region subspecies are connected to the global population. 

Regional population effects: Dispersal is possible. The Lebombo Transfrontier Conservation Area (South Africa, Mozambique and Swaziland) between the Lebombo Mountains and the Indian Ocean now connects (as of 2011) the Maputo Elephant Reserve through the Futi Corridor and Lubombo Conservancy to Tembe Elephant Park and protects large areas of suitable habitat of this subspecies. Similarly, the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park connects the northern subpopulations of this species. Thus, although the dispersal capability of this species is poor and limited by soil type and high energetic costs associated with digging; dispersal is possible through transfrontier conservation areas across the northern KwaZulu-Natal - Swaziland - Mozambique border and the north-eastern Limpopo - Zimbabwe - Mozambique border. 

Distribution

The Yellow Golden Mole is largely restricted to the Mozambique sand plain. Its ranges from Inhambane district in Mozambique southwards to northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and inland to the eastern slopes of the Lebombo Mountains and the south-eastern Lowveld of Zimbabwe.

C. o. obtusirostris occurs in the Inhambane and Gaza districts of Mozambique, extends westwards along the Changane and Save river systems to marginally intrude into south-eastern Zimbabwe and the Nyadu Sandveld in northern Kruger National Park (Limpopo Province, South Africa). C. o. limpopoensis occurs in the Masiene district in Mozambique southwards to the southern Mozambiquan coastal plains near Maputo where it is replaced by C. o. chrysillus. C. o. chrysillus occurs from Maputo southwards to Maputaland (north of St. Lucia) and in the Ingwavuma and Ubombo districts in northern KwaZulu-Natal. Parts of the geographic ranges of C. o. obtusirostris and C. o. chrysillus are within protected areas, but this is not the case for C. o. limpopoiensis (See Threats).

The extent of occurrence for the species overall was calculated at 11,970 km², by clipping the minimum convex polygon of the South African records to the assessment region, which includes the area of the Lebombo Transfrontier Conservation Area in which the species occurs. The area of occupancy was calculated by summing the quarter degree grid cells in which the species occurs within the assessment region, yielding 5,218 km² overall; and 1,356 km² and 3,863 km² for C. o. obtusirostris and C. o. chrysillus respectively.

Habitat View more ecological information

Population trend

Trend

Threats

There are no known major threats to this species. Minor threats may arise from rural settlement and small-holder ranching expansion, which includes housing and associated roads infrastructure, which may increase rates of habitat degradation through overgrazing and logging. Agriculture and commercial forestry operations no doubt contribute to degradation, fragmentation and loss of its natural soil habitat. However, these are localized threats.

Uses and trade

Conservation

Its cryptic and adaptable nature allows the Yellow Golden Mole to coexist successfully with humans. C. o. chrysillus is adequately protected in KwaZulu-Natal at Ndumu Game Reserve, Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park, Tembe Elephant Park, Kosi Bay Nature Reserve, Lake Sibaya Nature Reserve, and the Maputaland Coastal Forest Reserve. In Mozambique, this subspecies occurs in the Maputo Elephant Reserve. The Transfrontier Conservation Area (South Africa, Mozambique and Swaziland) between the Lebombo Mountains and the Indian Ocean now connects the Maputo Elephant Reserve through the Futi Corridor and Lubombo Conservancy to Tembe Elephant Park and protects large areas of suitable habitat of this subspecies. C. o. obtusirostris has been recorded from the Nyadu Sandveld in north-eastern corner of Kruger National Park in South Africa, Gonarezhou National Park in south-eastern Zimbabwe and northern part of the Limpopo National Park in Mozambique.  These protected areas are part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park. No specific conservation interventions are currently necessary.

Recommendations for land managers and practitioners:

• Monitoring of existing subpopulations, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, to assess population trends.
• Field surveys to discover additional subpopulations and to establish the distributional limits of subspecies.
• Incentivise landowners and communities to de-stock to reduce overgrazing impacts.

Research priorities:

• Subpopulation trends within and outside protected areas.
• Evidence for rescue effect from transfrontier parks. 
• Field studies to determine the life history traits and ecological tolerances of the species.
• Field surveys to discover additional subpopulations and to establish the distributional limits of subspecies.
• Studies assessing the severity of threats outside of protected areas.

Encouraged citizen actions:

• Report sightings on virtual museum platforms (e.g., iSpot and MammalMAP), especially outside protected areas. 
• Deposit any dead specimens found in a state or provincial museum, together with information on the date and site where found.
• Create native vegetation gardens.