Rationale
The Bushveld Sengi occurs along the northern reaches of the assessment region. The regions and habitats in which this species occurs are not generally impacted greatly by human activities, except for locally intense grazing, such as the âBushmanlandâ area of South Africa. It is not known whether this species is adversely impacted by heavy grazing, but given what is known about sengi life history it probably is less influenced by this land use than many other small mammals. This species occupies quite arid habitats with considerable natural variation in environmental conditions that probably results in frequent changes in population numbers, which are natural. This is an edge of range species within the assessment region, with an extensive habitat throughout the rest of its range. Thus, we retain the Least Concern listing.
Regional population effects: Continuous distribution with rest of African range.
Distribution
The species occurs in southwestern Angola, Namibia (excluding the coastal Namib Desert), Botswana and northern South Africa (Corbet & Hanks 1968; Skinner & Chimimba 2005). Within the assessment region, this species occurs along the northwestern border of South Africa in the Kalahari habitats. In the North West Province, it was only recorded in the northern Kalahari vegetation types Savanna Biome, and was deemed fairly common (Power 2014). The species is also found in the north and northwestern areas of Limpopo.
Population trend
Trend
This species is widespread and can be fairly common (Rathbun & Rathbun 2006), especially on relatively firm sandy soils (but not sand dunes), but no information is available for virtually the entire South African range of the species. However, based on the relatively large specimen collections in museums, it is relatively common where it occurs.
Threats
There are no known major threats that could cause regional extinction in South Africa. However, it is possible that overgrazing could be a threat to the species.
Uses and trade
There is no evidence that this species is used for local or international trade.
Conservation
The species occurs in protected areas, but these are not documented so protected areas species lists should be compiled. The most important protected area in which it occurs is Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. There are no direct interventions necessary at present.
Recommendations for land managers and practitioners:
- Expansion of the protected area network.
Research priorities:
- Severity of intensive grazing on local subpopulation.
Encouraged citizen actions:
- Citizens are encouraged to report sightings on virtual museum platforms (for example, iSpot and MammalMAP) with photographic confirmation.
