Red List of South African Species

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Least Concern (LC)
Assessors: Carolyn Baker Christopher Stuart Mathilde Stuart Nquinana Aviwe Dean Peinke Anthony Maddock Mike Perrin Michael Somers Emmanuel Do Linh San
Contributors: Justina Ray Samantha Page-Nicholson Matthew Child
Reviewers: Carolyn Baker Christopher Stuart Mathilde Stuart Nquinana Aviwe Dean Peinke Anthony Maddock Mike Perrin Michael Somers Emmanuel Do Linh San

Rationale (Changed due to Same category and criteria)

This species is listed as Least Concern since it has a wide distribution range, is generally common in suitable habitat, present in several protected areas, and there is no reason to believe the species is declining at a rate fast The Water Mongoose is listed as Least Concern since it has a wide distribution range within the assessment region, occurs in many protected areas, and is generally common in suitable habitat. It is relatively tolerant of modified or disturbed habitats, and there is no reason to believe that it is declining at a rate fast enough to warrant listing in a higher category of threat. However, we advise that monitoring is necessary, especially in areas where development may be affecting water supply and quality, to determine any potential negative impacts. Climate change could also threaten this species in the future, especially local subpopulations, as water sources and systems are affected.

Regional population effects: The distribution of this species in the assessment region is continuous with the rest of the African range, so rescue effects are possible. However, dispersal and movements in general are likely to be dependent upon the presence of water corridors (permanent and seasonal rivers and streams, dam networks, wetlands).

Distribution

The Water Mongoose is widely distributed from Senegal, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone, eastward to southern Sudan and Ethiopia, and south to southern Africa, where it is absent from most of Namibia, Botswana and large parts of central South Africa, wherever adequate water and cover are unavailable (Baker & Ray 2013). It has been recorded from sea level to altitudes of 3,950 m asl in the Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia (Yalden et al. 1996).

Within the assessment region, it occurs in all provinces of South Africa, along most rivers (including seasonal rivers) and along most of the coastline (except the north of the Northern Cape) in areas where there is running water. It also occurs widely in Swaziland and Lesotho (Lynch 1994, Monadjem 1998)

Population trend

Trend

Water Mongooses are generally common in suitable habitat. For example, they were the second most photographed species in a camera-trapping study in the Udzungwa Mountains, Tanzania (De Luca & Mpunga 2005). Within a restricted area (Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve), in KwaZulu-Natal, the density was recorded at 1.8 individuals / km² (Maddock 1988). We suspect that the population is stable due to its wide distribution. There is currently no evidence to indicate that deteriorating water quantity and quality across the region has impacted significantly on overall density and distribution of this species, although local declines are possible. Thus, deteriorating water quality is not a reliable index for Water Mongoose abundance. There is no doubt that declining water resources will have an impact but this species is very versatile and can exist without permanent water sources for extended periods. On the other hand, water systems may increase through artificial wetland creation.

Threats

No major threats to the species are currently known. However, since it is dependent on riverine vegetation for shelter in some parts of the assessment region (but not all; for example, in the Karoo), the loss of this habitat may result in some localised declines where habitat loss is taking place (Baker & Ray 2013). For example, the drainage of swamplands for conversion to arable land has been identified as a threat to Water Mongooses in eastern Africa (Andama 2000).

However, within the assessment region, a number of threats may synergise together to cause local population declines. These include human development (for example, fracking in the Karoo), agricultural intensification, and climate change causing declining water quality in small streams and watercourses. Poor farming practices also impact on buffer zones along watercourses. These factors are likely to negatively impact the abundance and viability of aquatic food resources for Water Mongooses and other water-dependent species. Already 84% of South African river ecosystem types are threatened, and 54% are Critically Endangered (Nel et al. 2007).

Water Mongooses are not persecuted directly except as bycatch in predator control programmes. In view of their secretive and nocturnal nature, they are less “visible” and thus less subject to direct actions. They are occasionally (and locally) victims of road traffic collisions.

Uses and trade

The Water Mongoose is commonly found in bushmeat markets in several West African countries. For example, it was the most common carnivore appearing in bushmeat markets in southeastern Nigeria (Angelici et al. 1999) and in village offtakes in Gabon (Bahaa-el-din et al. 2013). It was also commonly recorded in bushmeat surveys in the Classified Forest of Diecke, Guinea (Colyn et al. 2004). This species is not known to be used as bushmeat within the assessment region, but fat and glands are said to be used in some traditional medicine applications (this probably only occurs in the east of South Africa). Pelts have no commercial value.

Conservation

The Water Mongoose is present in many protected areas across its range within the assessment region. However, water management practices, especially outside protected areas, should be carefully planned to avoid negatively impacting riverine ecosystems and wetlands. The most important interventions for this species are those that conserve watersheds and riparian valleys and those which improve stream flow and water quality (such as through alien invasive species removal). There is a need to enforce the National Water Act (No. 36 of 1998) and to ensure that the tools provided for in this act – for example, ecological reserve determination and resource quality objectives – are applied to protect our freshwater ecosystems.

Although the Water Mongoose is a potential candidate as an indicator species for evaluating the effectiveness of the Working for Water programme, its versatile habitat preference and diet makes it unlikely to be sensitive enough to changing conditions.

Recommendations for land managers and practitioners:
  • Maintain and improve the ecological integrity of river systems by conserving buffer strips of vegetation around water courses and removing alien invasive vegetation. For example, the Working for Water programme should be used to remove alien vegetation and improve water flow.
Research priorities:
  • Monitoring Water Mongoose subpopulation trends and measuring the impact of water quality and quantity deterioration.
  • Monitoring of river system health status linked to population abundance indices.
Encouraged citizen actions:
  • Report sightings or presence of diagnostic spoor (with picture) on virtual museum platforms (for example, iSpot and MammalMAP), especially outside protected areas, to improve this species’ distribution map.
  • Employ the Working for Water programme to reduce alien vegetation and improve water flow on your land.
  • Report illegal land- and water-use practices to the authorities.
  • Protect sensitive riparian areas.

References 

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,]
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