BBC Go Wild

Sagalla caecilian

Charity:

The Zoological Society of London's (ZSL) EDGE of Existence Programme in partnership with the Taita Taveta Wildlife Forum, with the support of the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), the Water Resource Management Authority (WRMA), Ministry of Agriculture, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the County Council of Taita Taveta (CCTT), and the provincial administration.

Project:

The conservation of the endemic critically endangered Sagalla caecilian through catchment and habitat restoration and livelihood improvement of the local community.

Where in the World?

Kenya

Grant:

£32,303

• Caecilians are poorly understood creatures, being limbless amphibians that lead highly secretive lives within soil or water. The Sagalla caecilian has previously been mistaken for a worm by local people. The species is considered to be common in suitable habitats within its small range, which is less than half the size of Manhattan Island. At one site, 16 specimens were dug up in one hour in an area of 30m≤. However, suitable habitat is dwindling, which is affecting both the caecilian and local agriculturist communities.
• This species is not found in any protected areas. It is an urgent priority to restore the vegetation along stream banks in order to minimize erosion and loss of soil. Plans to remove the Eucalyptus and pine plantations in the area and restore native forest will also benefit the species and other local biodiversity.
• The species, an indicator of fertile soil, is threatened by habitat degradation and invasive Eucalyptus and pine plantations. These threats also negatively impact local people so conservation initiatives for the caecilian, including sustainable natural resource management, will also benefit their human neighbours. In essence, what is good for the caecilian is good for the communities.

BBC Nature: find out more about caecilians.

Project goal:

The project aims to improve environmental sustainability in the Eastern Arc Mountains through habitat restoration, soil conservation, water resources management, education and livelihood improvement of the local community to conserve the endemic critically endangered Sagalla caecilian.

Local language - Kisagalla:

"Mulungu urasimie ija mifuko ifunyire magome kwa wundu ghotesia kuboisa isanga jedu"

Translation:

"God bless the pockets that produced the money to help conserve our home"

Mr. Joseph Mwangazi, Chair of the Sagalla Community Forest Association