The Laikipia Plateau supports a small population of the eastern patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas pyrrhonotus). Although this population is small, it represents the largest population of patas in Kenya. Patas are large, shy, and semi-terrestrial. They have large home ranges (ca. 30 km²) and and live in groups of up to 74 individuals. The low density at which patas occur in East Africa makes them particularly prone to local extinction.
The patas is readily recognised by the brick red upper parts and head, and long, white limbs. The blackish face, with a white nose and moustache, is unlike that of the western patas (E. p. patas) or southern patas (E. p. baumstarki), which have an all black face. The adult male, which are roughly the size of a goat, is about twice the size of the adult female. The geographical range of the eastern patas extends from western Ethiopia, southern Sudan, northern Democratic Republic of Congo, through northern Uganda to western, central and southern Kenya.
The ca. 48,200 km² range of patas in Kenya has declined by roughly 54% since 1996 and is highly fragmented (De Jong et al 2008). In Laikipia, however, patas numbers remained stable during 1979-2000 at 300-500 individuals (Isbell & Chism 2007).
Why is the patas population in Laikipia not declining as appears to be the case elsewhere in Kenya? The answer seems to be tied to livestock ranching, which is the primary economic activity on the Laikipia Plateau. Unlike almost all other agro-ecosystems that primates occur in, well-managed rangelands maintain (sometimes even create) favorable habitats for patas. The same appears to be true for the three other primates species which occupy the savannah woodlands of Laikipia; Hilgert’s vervet monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus hilgerti), olive baboon (Papio anubis), and Kenya lesser galago (Galago senegalensis braccatus).
The survival of patas in Laikipia can be explained, not surprisingly, by the perennial availability of food and water. Patas in Laikipia depend largely on (1) extensive areas dominated by whistling thorn Acacia drepanolobium --- a vegetation type found mainly in areas dominated by black cotton soil ---, and on (2) year around sources of drinking water (Isbell 1998). Since patas and cattle do not eat the same foods, competition between the two is absent. In addition, large ranches provide cattle with systematically established and maintained sources of water in tanks, troughs and dams. In short, Laikipia’s cattle ranches provide the two crucial resources for patas --- Acacia savannah woodlands and water.
It is, however, not all moonlight and roses for Laikipia’s most charismatic primate. In some parts of Laikipia, elephant, giraffe and rhino over-browse the whistling thorn to such an extent that adequate food and sleeping sites for patas are not available. In addition, as for much of Kenya, large areas of Laikipia are being unsustainable used by livestock and charcoal makers, or transformed to cropland. The resultant loss of natural habitat increasingly threatens patas and, of course, many other species.
To manage Laikipia’s patas population, it is important to monitor changes in their distribution and abundance. Now, 12 years after the last survey of patas in Laikipia (Isbell & Chism 2007), it is time for another survey. As for the previous surveys, much of the data will be obtained through a questionnaire. All large land owners/managers will be invited to take a few minutes to complete the questionnaire. If you are not a landowner/manager, but have encountered patas in Laikipia (or Samburu, or elsewhere in Kenya) we would appreciated learning more about your observation. Please fill in the online form at www.wildsolutions.nl/patas.htm, or contact us using the contact details below; we will send the questionnaire to you as either a file attached to an email or by post. We will keep all participants up–to-date with the results from this survey.
By Yvonne A. de Jong & Thomas M. Butynski
Eastern Africa Primate Diversity and Conservation Program
Lolldaiga Hills Biodiversity Research Program
Contact: Yvonne A. de Jong, P.O. Box 149, Nanyuki 10400, Kenya.
Mobile: +254 (0)733 333601, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , www.wildsolutions.nl
References:
De Jong, Y.A., Butynski, T.M. & Nekaris, K.A. 2008. Distribution and conservation of the patas monkey Erythrocebus patas in Kenya. Journal of East African Natural History 97: 83-102.
Isbell, L.A. 1998. Diet for a small primate: Insectivory and gummivory in the (large) patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas pyrrhonotus). American Journal of Primatology 45: 381–398
Isbell, L.A. & Chism, J. 2007. Distribution and abundance of patas monkeys (Erythrocebus patas) in Laikipia, Kenya, 1979–2004. American Journal of Primatology 69: 1223–1235.
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