Red List of South African Species

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Least Concern (LC)
Assessors: Rouxlyn Roux Julia Zemouche Simone Blomsterberg Maartin Strauss Zimkitha Madikiza Michael Somers Philippe Gaubert Emmanuel Do Linh San
Contributors: Francesco Angelici Ara Monadjem Roxanne Collins Lizanne Roxburgh
Reviewers: Rouxlyn Roux Julia Zemouche Simone Blomsterberg Maartin Strauss Zimkitha Madikiza Michael Somers Philippe Gaubert Emmanuel Do Linh San

Rationale

The Rusty-spotted Genet is listed as Least Concern as, although it is possible that this species may be undergoing some localised declines in a few areas due to road collisions, direct or accidental persecution by farmers, hunting for skins, meat and trophies, and predation by feral/domestic cats and dogs, it has a wide distribution range, occurring in a variety of habitats, and it is present in many protected areas within the assessment region.

Regional population effects: This species’ range within the assessment region is continuous with the rest of its African range, and we suspect that there is dispersal across regional boundaries

Distribution

This species is widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa, ranging from east of the Volta River (Ghana) to east of Eritrea and Somalia (its presence in Djibouti is uncertain) and southwards to central Namibia and KwaZulu-Natal Province in South Africa (Angelici & Gaubert 2013). It occurs to high elevations, up to 3,400 m in the Simien Mountains of Ethiopia (Yalden et al. 1996). As recently argued by Hoffmann et al. (2015), it is unlikely that this species is present on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea.

Within the assessment region, this species occurs across Limpopo, eastern Mpumalanga, Swaziland, KwaZulu-Natal (up to Durban), as well as Gauteng and North West provinces (mostly in the west). The species seems to be largely absent from the Free State Province (Figure 1). It has not been recorded in Lesotho, but extra-limital records (see Figure 1) suggest that it might be present.

The Rusty-spotted Genet is considered sympatric with at least two other genet species (G. tigrina and G. genetta), and this may result in a hybridisation zone in areas where ranges overlap. Genetta maculata naturally crosses with G. tigrina in a restricted hybridisation zone within KwaZulu-Natal (Pringle 1977; Gaubert et al. 2005a).

Population trend

Trend

This species is relatively common, though its nocturnal and elusive habits mean that it may be infrequently recorded. For example, in southeastern Nigeria, sightings are rare, but Rusty-spotted Genets are commonly recorded in bushmeat markets and frequently trapped by local hunters (Angelici et al. 1999a,b).

Within the assessment region, we suspect that the species is widespread and fairly common, and is often recorded as being commensal with humans and adapting to human-modified landscapes. We suspect that there are > 10,000 mature individuals. It is widespread and common in Swaziland, both inside and outside of protected areas (Ara Monadjem pers. comm. 2016).

Threats

There are no major threats to the species. Rusty-spotted Genets have been recorded in the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s road collision database (W. Collinson unpubl. data), but the extent of road mortality on this species within the assessment region is unknown. There appear to be hotspots where this species frequently falls victim to road traffic (A. Halijian pers. comm. 2015–2016), and this might be related to both habitat features and higher local abundance. Rusty-spotted Genets have been recorded in bushmeat markets; are locally used for traditional medicine and cultural purposes; and are locally hunted for their trophy, notably in Limpopo (A. de Klerk pers. comm. 2016; see e.g. https://www.discountafricanhunts.com/hunts/honey-badger-civet-and-genet-hunt-in-south-africa.html). Since they do have a reputation as poultry thieves, farmers sometimes poison or trap them (L.H. Swanepoel pers. comm. 2016). Finally, they are occasionally killed by domestic cats and dogs in both peri-urban and rural areas (Angelici & Gaubert 2013; L.H. Swanepoel pers. comm. 2016).

Uses and trade

There are a few reports mentioning that this species can be utilised as bushmeat, especially in western Africa (Angelici et al. 1999b). In southern Africa, body parts may also be used for medicinal purposes, with pieces of genet skin used as stick-fight charms and parts of the body are used to treat eye ailments (Cunningham & Zondi 1991). Genet hides and tails are sometimes used in Zulu culture as traditional adornments. Such practices, however, arelocalised and limited, and thus should not have a negative impact on the population.

It is becoming increasingly popular to keep several genet species as pets, specifically in the USA. In southern Africa, it is not common, however, and since it is expected that such animals originate from captive bred populations and not from the wild, it should not influence wild population numbers excessively. The number and proportion of Rusty-spotted Genets kept as pets both globally and in the assessment region is unknown.

Conservation

This species is present in a large number of protected areas. Within the assessment region, no major and urgent conservation interventions are necessary. However, education should be used to raise the profile of this species and encourage farmers to live with rather than against genets. Marketing and awareness campaigns can also be used to position the presence of this species as a point of pride for urban and rural landowners, and conservationists should encourage better land management to facilitate genet conservation.

Recommendations for land managers and practitioners:
  • To reduce collisions with vehicles, mitigation measures such as road fencing and improvement of habitat near road crossing structures (for example, underpasses) should be implemented whenever possible (Collinson et al. 2015).
  • Due to the reported predation or killing of Rusty-spotted Genets by feral and domestic dogs and cats (Angelici & Gaubert 2013; L.H. Swanepoel pers. comm. 2016), it might be necessary to control the number of feral dogs and cats in both urban and rural areas, and encourage dog and cat owners to put collar-mounted bells, sonic bleepers or “pounce protectors” on their pets (Nelson et al. 2005; Calver et al. 2007).
Research priorities:
  • Taxonomic status of G. maculata versus G. tigrina.
  • Competition and hybridisation patterns with sympatric species of genets (G. genetta and G. tigrina).
  • Population estimates, demographic parameters and possible barriers to dispersal across the species’ distribution range.
  • Home range and habitat use of Rusty-spotted Genets in a variety of landscapes (protected areas, agricultural areas and urban landscapes).
  • Determine genetic health and diversity of both rural and urban populations.
  • Testing of rabies in Rusty-spotted Genets and their potential role as vectors of the disease.
  • Effect – if any – of commercial hunting on local populations.
A team of researchers from the University of Fort Hare, University of South Africa, University of the Witwatersrand and University of Pretoria is currently studying the ecology and behaviour of Rusty-spotted Genets in Telperion Nature Reserve (Mpumalanga). The project aims to describe the spatial behaviour, habitat use, activity patterns, diet and use of latrines by this largely unstudied species. Contact details of the research coordinator: Prof. Emmanuel Do Linh San, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Fort Hare, Alice, 5700, South Africa. Email: edolinhsan@ufh.ac.za. Website: https://www.ascaris.org.

Encouraged citizen actions:
  • Report sightings of any genet species on virtual museum/social platforms (for example, iSpot and MammalMAP), especially outside protected areas, as well as to Emmanuel Do Linh San (emmanuel.dolinhsan@gmail.com). GPS locations and photographs would be of great assistance.

References 

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,]
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