Sokoke Scops Owl (Otus ireneae) Case Study
Home > Biodiversity Nature & People > Conservation Philanthropy > Grants > MBZF Grant 242535817
Continent: Africa
Country: Kenya
Grant Amount: $12,000
Awarded Date: February 07, 2025
Assessment of Sokoke Scops Owl Habitat and Population Status In Dakatcha Woodland Using Remote Sensing, Acoustic Monitoring and Machine Learning
This study aims to use remote sensing, acoustic monitoring and machine learning to determine the population status and ideal habitat conditions of the Sokoke Scops Owl at Dakatcha Woodland.
The Sokoke Scops Owl (Otus ireneae) is a small owl that is endemic to the lowland forests of East Africa. It is known to occur in only three locations worldwide; Arabuko Sokoke Forest and Dakatcha Woodlands in Kenya, and East Usambara mountains in Tanzania.
The owl is classified as Endangered due to its small fragmented range and declining population. The total population is estimated at between 1,000 and 2,000 individuals with the majority of about 774 to 1,088 individuals occurring in Arabuko Sokoke Forest.
The Sokoke Scops Owl is facing significant threats throughout its range particularly destruction of its habitat for farming and selective logging of old trees with cavities that the owl requires for breeding.
In Dakatcha Woodland, the situation is particularly dire because the woodland is under private or community ownership and it is not protected within Kenya’s protected area network. Given the low population of the Sokoke Scops Owl in Dakatcha and the high intensity of threats, the owl risks going locally extinct at Dakatcha unless urgent measures are taken.
This study had five main objectives:
1. To determine the current population status and distribution of the Sokoke Scops Owl at Dakatcha to guide allocation of conservation resources and protection efforts.
2. To identify habitat factors influencing the distribution and population size of the Sokoke Scops Owl within Dakatcha with the aim of developing a habitat restoration plan.
3. To identify the major threats facing the Sokoke Scops Owl at Dakatcha with the aim of developing a threats mitigation plan.
4. To train A Rocha staff and local community in monitoring the Sokoke Scops Owl and its habitat to facilitate long-term monitoring of Dakatcha Woodland.
5. To raise awareness about the status of Sokoke Scops Owl and its habitat with the aim of stimulating behavior change, influencing legislation and mobilizing donor funds.
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