Help protect the Sokoke Scops-owl
A gift today will support A Rocha scientists working to protect nature at risk, like the Sokoke Scops-owl and other threatened species of Kenya’s Arabuko-Sokoke Forest and Dakatcha Woodland. Donate now
Sokoke Scops-owl Otus ireneae
Key characteristics
Measuring about 17cm in height and weighing up to 60g, the Sokoke Scops-owl is one of the smallest owls in the world. Like many of its close relatives, different forms can exist within the same population – some are grey and some a reddish brown, both with plumage patterned with wavy lines. They have small ears and large yellow eyes.
Threats
Populations of the Sokoke Scops-owl have only been found in three locations across Kenya and Tanzania, including the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest and Dakatcha Woodland. Forest clearance for agriculture, timber and charcoal production is one of the main threats to this species across its range and climate change is predicted to further reduce the availability of suitable habitat.
What A Rocha is doing
A Rocha Kenya is carrying out research and running community conservation projects to protect the Dakatcha Woodland and the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest – both remnants of dry coastal forest with a high number of rare birds and creatures such as the Sokoke Scops-owl.
The Arabuko-Sokoke Schools and Eco-tourism Scheme (ASSETS) is a school bursary programme to conserve these habitats and increase the benefits to local communities from sustainable eco-tourism and environmental education.
In Dakatcha, the woodland is being destroyed at an alarming rate due to rampant charcoal burning and the uncontrolled expansion of pineapple plantations. Now with COVID-19 hitting the local economy hard and people losing their jobs, the pace of forest destruction has picked up, making the situation even more urgent.
With help from others, A Rocha Kenya is buying blocks of forest from willing sellers and creating a nature reserve to conserve this unique landscape and safeguard its precious inhabitants.
Throughout the process and as part of A Rocha Kenya’s community conservation approach, the team are involving people adjacent to the reserve in the sustainable management of their land, teaching in schools and churches and introducing restorative farming and income-generating activities such as honey production.
