Project Objective
To understand the distribution and connectivity of humpback dolphin in the Ungwana Bay Area
2023 - Current
The Indian Ocean humpback dolphin populations in the Southwest Indian Ocean are declining and recognized as “critically endangered” in 2015 by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The IUCN provides a comprehensive global list of the conservation status of species with reference to threats affecting biological diversity.
In Shimoni-Vanga Sea scape, Kenya Wildlife Service with Global Vision International conducted consistent studies on species of marine mammal in the area between 2007 to 2014, including the Indo- Pacific bottlenose, Indian Ocean humpback, and spinner dolphin populations and the migratory humpback whale. KMMREC continued this research from 2019.
The Indian Ocean humpback dolphin was the subject of consistent studies by GVI due to Its declining populations. It was determined that bycatch is among the main threats to this species due to injuries evident on individuals. It has also been documented that humpback dolphins travelled along the Kenyan with
To determine connectivity between Tanzania and Kenya, a photo identification recapture assessment was done in 2015 to 2017 working with Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) to detemine cross boarder movements. Continuing this work with the Sea Mammal Research Unit, St Andrews University and WCS from 2023, efforts are renewed focused on distribution and habitat use of these scarce and cryptic dolphins, in the Shimoni-Vanga Tanzania Sea scape.
