Zanzibar Cruise Excursions Support Conservation
How Visitors Help the Survival of Africa’s Endangered Wildlife
Apr 12, 2009
Zanzibar, about 80km off the East Africa mainland, is home to two species of rare monkey, scores of bat and snake species and over 100 kinds of bird. Since This Indian Ocean island is only 86 km long by 39 km wide, that’s a very respectable tally. There are fears, however, that the beautiful indigenous Zanzibar leopard may be going the way of the wild elephants that once roamed here.
The local sub-species of leopard was last recorded in 1996, but all hope hasn’t been quite lost, as leopards are notoriously secretive in their habits. Some skins in the Zanzibar Museum show that it was smaller than its mainland counterpart. The Zanzibar leopard (Panthera pardus adersi) had even ‘changed its spots’ - its black rosettes were more numerous, but most had lost their clear outlines so distinctive elsewhere.
Fortunately, other native animals, some of them very rare and found only in Zanzibar, have been luckier. The authorities are now keen to preserve what is left of the island’s wildlife, and not just for its own sake but as a way of boosting the local economy.
Jozani Forest National Park
This is Zanzibar’s only National Park where animals can be seen in a variety of natural habitats. Star of the show is Africa’s rarest monkey, the handsome Kirk’s Red Colobus which is unique to Zanzibar. Over a thousand of them live in the Park.
- Travelling in small family groups, they seem to enjoy showing off for the camera, and aren’t at all aggressive.
- Their diet consists largely of the leaves of the Indian Almond tree because they can’t digest the sugars found in fruits and other vegetation.
- They’ve learnt that nibbling charcoal left around by humans helps their delicate digestive systems.
Retaining enough Indian Almond trees here is a top priority for the survival of Kirk's Red Colobus, and also provides cover for other rare species. These include Syke’s monkeys, again unique to the island, cackling and ‘booming’ from the tree tops, 50 species of butterfly, 40 kinds of bird, the timid pygmy antelope and tiny duiker, and many small snakes and reptiles.
Zala Park, Zanzibar
This was started as Zala Reptile Park by a retired teacher who wanted to stop the killing of animals because of ignorance and ancient superstition. The animals here are penned in areas that mimic their natural habitats as far as possible to help people recognise and appreciate them.
Changing Local Attitudes to Wildlife
- Leopards were thought to be sent by witches to harm people, and hunted almost to extinction in the 1960’s.
- Chameleons were killed because they were believed to bring misfortune.
- All snakes were killed on sight whether they were harmless or not.
- Civet cats were trapped for their fur and musk glands used to make perfume.
Without Jozani Forest National Park and Zala Park to educate the next generation, much of Zanzibar’s rare and unique wildlife would go the way of its elephants and leopards. Choosing a cruise excursion to include these local initiatives is an eco-friendly to help out, and a great way to see the island.
More on Arriving in Zanzibar, Zanzibar Stone Town
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