Kasanka National Park

Kasanka National Park
IUCN category II (national park)
Map showing the location of Kasanka National Park
Location Central Province, Zambia
Nearest city Serenje, Zambia
Coordinates 12°34′S 30°11′E / 12.567°S 30.183°E / -12.567; 30.183Coordinates: 12°34′S 30°11′E / 12.567°S 30.183°E / -12.567; 30.183
Area 390 km2
Governing body Zambia Wildlife Authority

Kasanka National Park is a park located in the Serenje District of Zambia’s Central Province. At roughly 390 km2 (150 sq mi), Kasanka is one of Zambia’s smallest national parks. Kasanka is the first of Zambia’s national parks to be privately managed. The privately funded Kasanka Trust Ltd has taken on all management responsibilities, in partnership with the Zambian Wildlife Authority, and has been in operation since 1986. The park has an average elevation between 1,160 m (3,810 ft) and 1,290 m (4,230 ft) above mean sea level. It has nine permanent lakes with the largest being Luombwa that provides angler sighting. There are eight rivers in the park, with the largest being the Luapula River, all of which flows into the Bangweulu basin, a major tributary of the Congo River.

A total of 108 mammal species have been recorded in the park. Elephant, Hippopotamus and a set of rare breed of birds were reintroduced in the park after the takeover by Kasanka Trust. Close to five million Eidolon helvum (African fruit bat) migrate to the Mushitu swamp in the park for three months during October to December, making it the largest mammal migration in the world. There are over 330 bird species identified in the park.

Topography and vegetation

Kasanka has a varying altitude of 1,160 m (3,810 ft) and 1,290 m (4,230 ft) above mean sea level. The park is located in the Zambia in Serenje District of Zambia. While most sources quote the area of the park to be around 390 km2 (150 sq mi), others record the area close to 450 km2 (170 sq mi), making it the smallest wildlife park in the country.[1] It has a relatively flat topography with few noteworthy relief features, with the exception of the Mambilima Falls located close to the Mulaushi Conservation Centre and the rocky Mpululwe and Bwalya Bemba hills. Nine permanent lakes are found in the park and it is dissected by a network of rivers and streams. The larger rivers are the Luwombwa, Mulembo, Kasanka, Mulaushi and the swampy Musola River. The river streams and the lagoons have reed and papyrus beds.[1] All of these rivers eventually shed their water via one another into the Luapula River, the only drainage outlet for the Bangweulu basin, and a major tributary of the Congo River.[2]

Habitats

Termite mounds in the park

There are a variety of habitats in the park. Brachystegia woodland, otherwise known as Miombo Woodland, covers around 70% of Kasanka’s surface area, interspersed with grassy dambo’s. It is very rich in tree species and in many places forms a half closed canopy but also supports a well-developed herbaceous stratum. A high frequency of fires removes this stratum and young saplings and leads to Miombo Woodland with large, widely separated trees. Decades of “early burning” in the park have resulted in more natural Miombo with a strong presence of young trees and thicket species.[3]

Evergreen forests have three kinds occur within Kasanka; Mushitu or swamp forest, riverine forests and very small patches of Mateshe (dry evergreen forest). The Mushitu is characterised by huge red mahoganies, waterberries and quinine trees among others and is fairly well represented. The largest tract of intact Mushitu, in the Fibwe area, hosts the annual gathering of straw-coloured fruit bats from October to December making it the largest fruit bat roost on Earth.[4] Riverine forests are found along most rivers in Kasanka, with the largest stretches being found along the Luwombwa. True Mateshe probably was common in historic times but is rare now, as a result of centuries of frequent fires. All both forest types are at risk from frequent wildfires as the tree species they support are not resistant to fire.[5]

Chipya, also known as Lake Basin Woodland has interspersed trees and do not form a closed canopy, which allows sunlight that aids tall grasses to grow. Chipya is prone to very hot fires in the dry season,and this gives these woodlands their name as ‘chiya’ means ‘burnt’ in the local language. Chipya typically occurs on relatively soils and are thought to be a fire derivate form of Mateshe.[6]

Wasa River in the park

Dambo’s are grassy drainage channels and basins with little to no woody vegetation but very palatable grasses. Most woody species grow on exposed termitaria as dambo’s tend to retain water very well. Dambo’s are of a vital importance to grazing mammal species as well as several woodland mammals that choose to graze on the fringes, especially during the dry season. Several large (several square km) grassy plains occur within the park such as Chinyangali close to Fibwe and the Chikufwe plain north of the Kasanka River.[1]

Papyrus swamps are considered the crown jewels of Kasanka with vast marshes supporting large tracts of thick papyrus swamp and home to the elusive sitatunga.[7]

Kasanka has nine permanent lakes and over 100 km (62 mi) of rivers flowing through the park. Many of the rivers, especially the Luwombwa in the North support riparian fringe forests on their banks. Large areas of grassy floodplains are found along the Kasanka, Mulembo and Luwombwa rivers. The rivers and lakes are host to a variety of fish and are rich in other forms of aquatic and semi-aquatic wildlife.[1]

Fauna

Mammals

Antelope found in the park

A total of 108 mammal species have been recorded in the park. Although severely depleted in the past, due to effective anti-poaching measures, game populations in Kasanka has recovered. Puku are the most plentiful antelope and graze on the grassy floodplains and dambo’s throughout the Park. common duiker, bushbuck, warthog, vervet monkey and Kinda baboon (a race of the yellow baboon (Papio cynocephalus)) are common throughout the park and hippo can frequently be encountered in Kasanka’s rivers and lakes, including in Lake Wasa, opposite the main lodge. The population of Puku increased from 300 to greater than 600 during the period between 1989 and 1994.[8] Kasanka is perhaps the best place in the world to spot the shy and reclusive sitatunga, of which the park holds an estimated 500-1,000 animals, and offers great opportunities for sightings of the rare blue monkey.[9]

Elephant are faring increasingly well and several breeding herds and bachelor bulls traverse the park and the surrounding game management area. Several of the plains like Chikufwe are home to common reedbuck, buffalo, sable antelope and Lichtenstein's hartebeest, which are often encountered in the dry season. Among all wildlife parks in Zambia, the population of Lichtenstein's hartebeest had a steady increased during the early 90s.[10] A small population of plains zebra clings on to existence close to the airstrip at New mulembo. Roan antelope, defassa waterbuck and Sharpe's grysbok occur but are rare and seldom seen, whereas bushpig are common but also very difficult to detect. Yellow-backed Duiker and Moloney’s monkey, which are poached elsewhere, have also got a steady increase in the population in the park.[11]

The largest resident predator in the park is the leopard. Lions and hyenas are no longer resident but wanderers still move through the park. Side-striped jackal are common and often spotted in the early mornings. A range of smaller carnivores occur, of which water mongoose, white-tailed mongoose, African civet and large spotted genet are commonly encountered at night and slender, banded and dwarf mongoose can often be seen crossing pathways during the day. Caracal, serval, honey badger and the rare Meller's mongoose occur but are very seldom sighted. Two species of otter live in Kasanka’s rivers, marshes and lakes. African wild dogs are rarely spotted in the park after the 90s and have not been seen in groups.[12]

Bats

Image of Eidolon helvum, straw-coloured fruit bat

The first of Kasanka’s famous straw-coloured fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) start arriving towards the middle of October each year. By mid-November the roost has reached its highest density and numbers are estimated to be around five to eight million. It is believed to be the highest density of mammalian biomass on the planet, as well as the greatest known mammal migration. The arrival of the bats normally coincides with the start of the first rains and the ripening of many local fruit and berry species such as the masuku (wild loquat) and waterberry, on which the bats feed. It is estimated that 330,000 tonnes of fruits are consumed by the bats during the three months.[13]

The bat roost is centred on one of the largest remaining patches of Mushitu (indigenous forest) in Kasanka along the Musola River. The edge of the forest is accessible to tourists to view the bats up close and guided bat walks into the heart of the roost are arranged at dusk and dawn. The high concentration of food items attracts an incredibly variety of predators and scavengers to the bat forest. Martial eagles, pythons, fish eagles, lesser-spotted and African hawk-eagles, kites, vultures and hobby falcons are amongst the raptors that concentrate on the roost for easy pickings, whereas leopard, water monitors and crocodiles make off with those bats unfortunate enough to drop to the forest floor.[14]

The migration profile of the bats could not be fully ascertained, but some of the studies with lightning sensors fitted in male bats found that the bats travel as far as Congo, covering at total of 1,180 mi (1,900 km). Some studies indicate that the abundance of fruits during the season are the major reason for the migration. While the inflow starts gradually during the first week of October, the outflow is rapid during the last week of December.[15] A study published in the African Journal of Ecology indicated that the migratory impact of the bats could ultimately threaten the viability of the seasonal roost as it increases faster tree mortality.[16]

Birds

View of wildlife in the park

Kasanka holds undoubtedly some of the finest birding in Africa’ according to Dr Ian Sinclair, one of Africa’s leading ornithologists. With over 330 species recorded in this relatively small area without altitudinal variation, one will find it difficult to argue with this statement. Kasanka is blessed with a wide variety of habitats, each hosting its own community of bird species, many of which are rare or uncommon.[17]

A boat-trip along the Luwomwba River, or any other major river in the park may reveal Pel’s fishing owl, African finfoot, half-collared kingfisher, Ross’ turaco and Böhm’s bee-eater. The vast wetlands of Kasanka support some species not easily seen elsewhere such as rufous-bellied heron, lesser jacana and African pygmy goose. The shoebill was confirmed for the first time in 20 years at the end of 2010 and a breeding pair of wattled cranes and their offspring are often encountered. Marsh tchagra, coppery-tailed coucal, Fulleborn's longclaw, locustfinch, pale-crowned, croaking and short-winged cisticola, chestnut-headed and streaky-breasted flufftail, harlequin and blue quail, black-rumped buttonquail and fawn-breasted waxbill are amongst the other specials on the wetland fringes and in the large dambo’s.[18]

The Mushitu is host to a wide range of other species, the sought-after Narina trogon can often be heard and seen in the small patches of forest close to Pontoon and Fibwe. A range of other species occur such as blue-mantled crested flycatcher, Schalow’s turaco, brown-headed apalis, black-backed barbet, grey waxbill, Bocage's robin, West African (olive) thrush, dark-backed weaver, red-throated twinspot, green twinspot, red-backed mannikin, green-headed sunbird, yellow-rumped tinkerbird, scaly-throated honeyguide, pallid honeyguide, purple-throated cuckooshrike, black-throated wattle-eye, yellow-throated leaflove and little, grey-olive, yellow-bellied and Cabanis's greenbul.[18]

However, perhaps the richest birding areas of Kasanka are the extensive tracts of miombo woodland. A variety of specialist species occur here, many of which are not found outside the sub-region, these include black-collared and green-capped eremomelas, racket-tailed roller, rufous-bellied and miombo grey tits, grey penduline tit, woodland and bushveld pipit, spotted creeper, white-tailed blue flycatcher, Böhm's flycatcher, yellow-bellied hyliota, red-capped crombec, Cabanis's bunting, Reichard's and black-eared seedeater, miombo scrub robin, miombo rock thrush, thick-billed cuckoo, Anchieta's sunbird, and Anchieta's, Whyte's and miombo pied barbets.[17]

Other wildlife

In addition to the large and more visible game and wildlife, Kasanka is home to an incredible variety of insects and other arthropods. The many rivers and marshes are home to a wide range of (reed)frogs and other amphibians. Large crocodiles dwell in the rivers and huge specimens can be seen along the Kasanka and Luwombwa Rivers. Large Nile monitors occur as well, as do Speke's hinged tortoise. Common snake species include African rock python, forest cobra, lined olympic snake, olive marsh snake and herald snake. Three geckos, one agama, five skinks, one worm-lizard and two lizard species are known to occur as well.[18]

Administration and management

Zambia's wildlife management is considered the best managed and administered among all countries in Africa. The management faced increasing challenges in the form of poachers, live stock grazing, encroachment and illegal settlement. During the decade of 1980s, the administration faced shortage of trained staff, transport and patrol, leading to the government seeking the support of NGOs and private bodies.[19] After visiting the neglected and completely undeveloped Kasanka National Park for the first time in 1985 and hearing gunshots, the late David Lloyd, a British colonial officer, impressed with the wide range of habitats and amazing scenery, concluded that if there was still poaching, there must still be wildlife. He made it his life's mission to develop the park and safeguard the biodiversity of Kasanka.[20]

In 1987 the Kasanka Trust was founded as a non-profit charitable institution with tax-exemption within Zambia. It has since become a registered charity in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. The Kasanka Trust has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Zambian Wildlife Authority and has taken upon itself the responsibilities of park management, community relations and tourism. It became the first wild life park to be managed by a private body.[19] ZAWA retains the responsibilities for anti-poaching work in the park and surrounding Game Management Area in conjunction with the Trust. The Kasanka Trust aims to cover their costs through tourism-generated revenue, but is still reliant on gifts and charitable funding for part of their budget.[20]

In the last 25 years a lot of work has been done in the park, a vast network of roads has been created as well as an excellent tourist-infrastructure, a community conservation centre and the implementation of effective anti-poaching measures. The Trust employs about 90 local staff and does a lot of outreach work within the surrounding communities and amongst other things; sponsors the secondary education of promising local students, educates farmers on more effective alternative farming practises and teaches them how to employ chilli-fences to keep elephants out of their fields. The Trust also operates Shoebill Island Camp in the Bangweulu Wetlands. In 2011 Kasanka Trust began operations in the undeveloped and depleted 1,600 km2 Lavushi Manda National Park with assistance from the World Bank.[21]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Musambachime, Mwelwa C (2016). One Zambia, One Nation, One Country. Xlibris Corporation. p. 478. ISBN 9781514462287.
  2. ↑ East 1989, p. 12
  3. ↑ McIntyre, Chris (2008). Bradt Zambia: The Bradt Travel Guide. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 312. ISBN 9781841622262.
  4. ↑ Martha Holmes; Michael Gunton (2009). Life: Extraordinary Animals, Extreme Behaviour. University of California Press. p. 206.
  5. ↑ Jachmann, Hugo (2012). Estimating Abundance of African Wildlife: An Aid to Adaptive Management. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 111. ISBN 9781461513810.
  6. ↑ Smith, Paul P.; Fisher, Robert. "Chipya in Kasanka National Park, Zambia: Floristics, Soils and Dynamics". Systematics and Geography of Plants. 71 (2): 923–34. ISSN 1374-7886. JSTOR 3668728. (subscription required (help)).
  7. ↑ East 1999, p. 126
  8. ↑ East 1999, p. 171
  9. ↑ East 1989, pp. 14-15
  10. ↑ East 1999, p. 195
  11. ↑ East 1999, p. 341
  12. ↑ Woodroffe, Rosie; Ginsberg, Joshua Ross; Macdonald, David Whyte; IUCN/SSC Candid Specialist Group. The African Wild Dog: Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan - IUCN/SSC action plans for the conservation of biological diversity Status survey and conservation action plan. IUCN. p. 51. ISBN 9782831704180.
  13. ↑ Carrer, Olivier Le (2015). Atlas of Cursed Places: A Travel Guide to Dangerous and Frightful Destinations. Hachette UK. ISBN 9780316353519.
  14. ↑ Mikula, P.; Morelli, F.; Lučan, R. K.; Jones, D. N.; Tryjanowski, P. (2016). "Bats as prey of diurnal birds: a global perspective". Mammal Review. doi:10.1111/mam.12060.
  15. ↑ Hoare, Ben (2009). Animal Migration: Remarkable Journeys in the Wild. University of California Press. p. 117. ISBN 9780520258235.
  16. ↑ Acton, Q. Ashton, ed. (2012). "University of Aberdeen:The ecological impacts of a migratory bat aggregation on its seasonal roost in Kasanka National Park, Zambia". Issues in Ecosystem Ecology: 2011 Edition. ScholarlyEditions: 37. ISBN 9781464964824.
  17. 1 2 "Kasanka National Park". Zambia Tourism Board. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  18. 1 2 3 "Guidebook". Kasanka National Park, Zambia. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  19. 1 2 East 1999, p. 76
  20. 1 2 "David Lloyd". The Telegraph. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  21. ↑ East 1989, p. 13

Bibliography

  • East, Rod (1999). African Antelope Database 1998 - Volume 21 of Iucn/Ssc Action Plans for the Conservation of Biological Div Issue 21 of Occasional papers of the IUCN Species Survival Commission. IUCN. ISBN 9782831704777. 
  • East, Rod (1989). Antelopes: Southern and South Central Africa - Part 2 of Antelopes: Global Survey and Regional Action Plans, Rod East IUCN/SSC action plans for the conservation of biological diversity. IUCN. ISBN 9782880329709. 
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