Mau Mandala

Tree Hyrax (Dendrohyrax dorsalis)

The Tree Hyrax may be short and fat and doesn’t exactly make it into the good looking animal section like the larger more flamboyant felines, but, nonetheless, it plays a central role in the survival of the largest indigenous forest in East Africa, the Mau Forest.

The den trees in which the Nderit (Ogiek name) reside are sacred to the Ogiek. Two such trees are ‘Marut‘ (Warburgia ugandensis) or the East African Green Heart and Saptet or Podo (the East African yellowood). The nderit feeds on amongst other things leaves twigs and petioles and ensures the den tree self regenerates by dispersing the fruits and seeds they eat, enabling the seed dispersal process through a natural and effective means.

Den tree of the 'Nderit'

The seeds of many tropical rainforest species are large (since they germinate in the shade of the canopy and must have enough food reserves to grow in the low light conditions of the forest floor and require animal dispersers (wind or other mechanical dispersers) are not enough for the large seeds.The loss of these dispersal species when the forest is leveled means tree seeds are unlikely to be dispersed into cleared areas. Therefore these important species will not return

An infusion of bark, roots and honey from Marut is taken to cure, fever, malaria, chest complaints, colds and general mascular pains. Saptet or Podo is particularly popular for timber use.

Mr. Saaya displays 'nderit' droppings

The nderit seem relatively egalitarian and easy going about territorial gender issues as both male and female nderit mark their territory by defecating at the base of the den tree. The droppings are rich in calcium carbonate, contributing significantly to the nutrient cycling of the den tree.

The excrement  is quickly processed and attracts brightly colored butterflies, beetles and flies, while dung beetles feverishly roll the dung into balls for use later as larval food. Insects are particularly interested in the calcium salts which are readily absorbed by the den tree .These salts assist in the processes of photosynthesis to give the nderit those succulent leaves that that they enjoy, thus Bon Apetite! for the nderit.

Verreaux eagle

While the nderit is enjoying an evergreen Mau Forest fiesta, the Verreux eagle (Aquila verreauxii)  or Kipsiechit has other ideas. The kipsiechit is way up in the food chain with the leopard. It’s diet consists almost entirely of the nderit, thus acting as a natural culling mechanism.

Ogiek Hunter

Mr. Saaya reiterates that when hunting nderit numbers are always underestimated, meaning that there was always a stipulated number of hyrax that could be hunted each season regardless of the the approximated nderit size. This practice was initiated in order to prevent the over-exploitation of species. Apparently only male species were hunted. If a female was caught and killed, it was the responsibility of the hunter to rear the young ones himself and release them as adults.

The onslaught on the Mau Forest continues

This picture was taken yesterday (31/1/10) afternoon, 15 minutes from a (Kenya Wildlife Society) KWS camp.

The Ogiek community acknowledge the medicinal value of the nderit. According to Ogiek healers, mixing the burnt ash of the nderit coat hairs with honey and water can cure deep coughing. The treated crystallized excrement of the nderit is used to treat epilepsy (If you have a hard time imagining how you could eat something from another animals back end..did you have eggs for breakfast?) In addition, the nderit are known to urinate on the same place forming white deposits, which are treated and used as medicine.

Did I say nderit meat is a delicacy..The nderit skins are used for various Ogiek rituals such as initiations, weddings and funerals. The skins are used to wrap newborn babies and keep them warm and in good health.

Thanks to our short, fat friends they have set in motions a sophisticated process that allows the Mau Forest to move  from the cradle to the cradle.

Maize competes with the Mau Forest

In my view, the continued destruction of Mau Forest and subsequent extinction of the tree hyrax will leave us developmentally challenged in more ways than one.

Have a great day,

Mukuria