Red List of South African Species

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Least Concern (LC)
Assessors: Galen Rathbun Hanneline Smit-Robinson
Contributors: Samantha Page-Nicholson Matthew Child
Reviewers: Andrew Taylor

Rationale

This species occupies habitats that are dominated by large rocks and boulders that are not particularly suitable for any intense human activities with the possible exception of grazing, especially by goats. There is no indication that this species or the habitats it uses face any major threats, and there has been no documented range contraction in the assessment region. Therefore, the species remains Least Concern.

Regional population effects: Continuous distribution with rest of African range.

Distribution

Recorded from the eastern areas of South Africa north into Zimbabwe and eastern Botswana and western Mozambique (Corbet & Hanks 1968; Skinner & Chimimba 2005). Within the assessment region, it occurs across the central to northern parts of the country in all provinces except the Western Cape. The Eastern Rock Sengi is absent from Lesotho. In South Africa, it is widely distributed in Limpopo, Gauteng, Free State and Mpumalanga (Skinner & Chimimba 2005). In the Free State Province, it was regularly seen in rocky outcrops in Tussen-die-Riviere Nature Reserve (Watson 2006). In the North West Province, it was captured in rocky habitats in the eastern parts of the province, and was abundant in the Magaliesberg (Power 2014). This species also occurs in the eastern regions of the Northern Cape and in areas of the Eastern Cape (Skinner & Chimimba 2005). It is also present in the mountainous areas of north-western KwaZulu-Natal.

Population trend

Trend

This species is locally common throughout its range in the assessment region and can be the most abundant of all Elephantulus species in South Africa. The population fluctuates naturally, due to climatic factors (rainfall).

Threats

There are no major threats to the species. However, overgrazing from livestock and wildlife ranching may cause local declines through the loss of ground cover. Mining activities, especially coal mining, can contribute to habitat loss. The species occurs in the Grassland Biome, South Africa’s least protected and most exploited biome through mineral extraction, agricultural crop farming and urban expansion.

Uses and trade

There is no evidence to that this species is used for local or international trade.

Conservation

This species occurs in many protected areas across its range. Although no specific interventions are necessary at present, we suspect that destocking on agricultural and ranchlands would benefit the species. Key protected areas for the species include Mapungubwe National Park, Kruger National Park and Golden Gate National Park.

Recommendations for land managers and practitioners:
  • Expansion of the protected area network.
  • Land managers should stock cattle or game at ecological levels.
Research priorities:
  • Determine density estimates and range sizes across the species’ distribution in South Africa.
Encouraged citizen actions:
  • Citizens are encouraged to report sightings on virtual museum platforms (for example, iSpot and MammalMAP) with photographic confirmation.

References 

[@book{275,
 address = {Cambridge},
 author = {Skinner, J.D. and Chimimba, C.T.},
 publisher = {Cambridge University Press, United Kingdom},
 title = {The Mammals of the Southern African Subregion},
 year = {2005}
}
,@techreport{5228,
 author = {Power, R.J.},
 institution = {Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation & Tourism, North West Provincial Government, Mahikeng},
 title = {The distribution and status of mammals in the North West Province},
 year = {2014}
}
,@inbook{7136,
 address = {Cambridge, UK},
 author = {},
 booktitle = {Macroscelidea},
 editor = {Rathbun, G.B. (subeditor)},
 pages = {22--34},
 publisher = {Cambridge University Press},
 title = {The Mammals of the Southern African Subregion, 3rd edition},
 year = {2005}
}
,@article{7136,
 author = {Corbet, G.B. and Hanks, J.},
 journal = {Bulletin of the British Museum of Natural History (Zoology)},
 pages = {1--111},
 title = {A revision of the elephant-shrews, family Macroscelididae},
 volume = {16},
 year = {1968}
}
,@article{550,
 author = {Watson JP},
 journal = {Koedoe},
 pages = {111--117},
 title = {Check list of the mammals of Tussen-die-Riviere Provincial Nature Reserve, Free State Province, South Africa},
 volume = {49},
 year = {2006}
}
,@article{6509,
 author = {Jooste JF, Palmer NG},
 journal = {South African Journal of Wildlife Research},
 pages = {26--35},
 title = {The distribution and habitat preference of some small mammals in the Rolfontein Nature Reserve},
 volume = {12},
 year = {1982}
}
,]
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