Scotopelia ussheri

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	STRIGIFORMES	STRIGIDAE

Scientific Name:

Scotopelia ussheri

Species Authority:

Sharpe, 1871

Common Name/s:

English	–	Rufous Fishing-owl, Rufous Fishing Owl, Rufous Fishing-Owl, Ussher's Fishing Owl
French	–	Chouette d'Ussher, Chouette-pêcheuse rousse
Spanish	–	Búho Pescador Rojizo, Cárabo Pescador Rojizo

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Vulnerable C2a(i) ver 3.1

Year Published:

2011

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Symes, A., Taylor, J., Butchart, S.

Contributor/s:

Gartshore, M., Rondeau, G., Rainey, H., Robertson, P., Klop, E., Thompson, H.

Justification:
This species has been downlisted from Endangered in reaction to improved knowledge, which suggests that its population is larger than previously thought. Nevertheless, the population size is still estimated to be small and severely fragmented, and is suspected to be in decline owing to habitat loss, persecution and disturbance, amongst other potential threats, thus the species is now classified as Vulnerable. It is very likely that its future survival will depend on populations in protected areas, which presently receive inadequate management and protection.

History:

2008	–	Endangered
2004	–	Endangered
2000	–	Endangered
1996	–	Endangered
1994	–	Endangered

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Scotopelia ussheri is endemic to the Upper Guinea forests of West Africa, occurring in Guinea (recorded from Ziama forest in 1951 and more recently in 1992 and 1993³), Sierra Leone (four records up to 1969, in 1989 recorded from an area adjacent to Gola Forest⁹, in 1992, found to be moderately common in one small area on Mt Loma, and recently river surveys in Gola located it in at least four, but possibly six, areas, suggesting it is uncommon or rare, but perhaps locally common along the Kwadi and Mogbai Rivers^14,15), Liberia (fairly widely distributed and not uncommon with recent sight records from the upper Dube River, Zwedru, and near small forest streams in Grand Gedeh and northern Lofa County⁷), Côte d'Ivoire (five sites: Lamto⁴, and four protected areas: TaïNP⁵, Azagny NP¹², Mount Péko NP¹² and Marahoué NP¹²) and Ghana (not found during surveys in the south-west during 2001-2005¹³, but reported from Antikwa, Kakum, in 2008, with records from several other sites¹⁶). Loma Forest, Sierra Leone, is a prime site for the species's conservation due to the area of suitable habitat¹.
Countries:	Native: Côte d'Ivoire; Ghana; Guinea; Liberia; Sierra Leone
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	The species was previously estimated to number fewer than 2,500 individuals because of its apparent scarcity; however, it has recently been shown to be more widespread and probably more common than previously thought (Dowsett-Lemaire and Dowsett 2008, 2009), thus it is now estimated to number 2,500-9,999 individuals. Further study is required.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	Its preferred habitats are riverine rainforest and mangroves. However, recent records have come from a small stream in swampy forest in Taï National Park⁵ and streamside vegetation in a coffee plantation in degraded forest near Gola Forest⁹. Recent surveys in Gola located the species in primary forest, forest edge near villages and in secondary growth such as old cocoa plantations and bamboo stands, along small, shady streams in mosaics of open floodplains and riverine forest¹⁴. It would appear that it can survive in secondary forest with small rivers as long as there is suitable gallery forest¹, where branches of trees overhanging streams can be used as fishing posts². The species may feed on freshwater crabs and other food items, in addition to fish¹⁴. The comparative paucity of records, and its absence at some sites with potentially good habitat, suggest it is patchily distributed and generally at low densities^11,12,13. Pairs probably engage in duets^12,14.
Systems:	Terrestrial; Freshwater

Habitat and Ecology:

Its preferred habitats are riverine rainforest and mangroves. However, recent records have come from a small stream in swampy forest in Taï National Park⁵ and streamside vegetation in a coffee plantation in degraded forest near Gola Forest⁹. Recent surveys in Gola located the species in primary forest, forest edge near villages and in secondary growth such as old cocoa plantations and bamboo stands, along small, shady streams in mosaics of open floodplains and riverine forest¹⁴. It would appear that it can survive in secondary forest with small rivers as long as there is suitable gallery forest¹, where branches of trees overhanging streams can be used as fishing posts². The species may feed on freshwater crabs and other food items, in addition to fish¹⁴. The comparative paucity of records, and its absence at some sites with potentially good habitat, suggest it is patchily distributed and generally at low densities^11,12,13. Pairs probably engage in duets^12,14.

Systems:

Terrestrial; Freshwater

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Continuing deforestation outside reserves and the inevitable consequent disturbance are both serious threats¹. Forests on the Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire border, near Mt Nimba, have little effective protection and clearance for agriculture and logging is taking place rapidly¹³. Marahoué National Park, where the species was previously recorded, has now been cleared of semi-deciduous forest¹⁷. Whilst outright forest clearance seriously threatens the species, it seems able to tolerate some habitat degradation provided sufficient cover remains and swampy areas are present¹⁶. It may be affected by the poisoning of small streams and rivers, e.g. due to industrial pollution¹³ or fishermen using poison for illegal fishing⁶, which is apparently becoming more frequent¹¹. Increased sedimentation in rivers as a consequence of deforestation causing increased turbidity could adversely affect the species, which hunts by sight¹. Birds on low perches are easily shot by day or captured at night by fishermen who dazzle them with spotlights⁴; however, in some areas the main threat from hunters, as well as fishermen, is probably disturbance¹⁶. The association of owls with witchcraft by many local people means that they are not commonly hunted for food, although there is evidence to suggest that they are sometimes captured as pets or for local trade¹⁴. The fragmentation (and therefore increased accessibility) of its habitat is exacerbating such hunting pressure¹¹.

Major Threat(s):

Continuing deforestation outside reserves and the inevitable consequent disturbance are both serious threats¹. Forests on the Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire border, near Mt Nimba, have little effective protection and clearance for agriculture and logging is taking place rapidly¹³. Marahoué National Park, where the species was previously recorded, has now been cleared of semi-deciduous forest¹⁷. Whilst outright forest clearance seriously threatens the species, it seems able to tolerate some habitat degradation provided sufficient cover remains and swampy areas are present¹⁶. It may be affected by the poisoning of small streams and rivers, e.g. due to industrial pollution¹³ or fishermen using poison for illegal fishing⁶, which is apparently becoming more frequent¹¹. Increased sedimentation in rivers as a consequence of deforestation causing increased turbidity could adversely affect the species, which hunts by sight¹. Birds on low perches are easily shot by day or captured at night by fishermen who dazzle them with spotlights⁴; however, in some areas the main threat from hunters, as well as fishermen, is probably disturbance¹⁶. The association of owls with witchcraft by many local people means that they are not commonly hunted for food, although there is evidence to suggest that they are sometimes captured as pets or for local trade¹⁴. The fragmentation (and therefore increased accessibility) of its habitat is exacerbating such hunting pressure¹¹.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway CITES Appendix II. It occurs in a few protected areas, including Taï National Park and Loma Forest Reserve. Taï National Park and periphery reserves (including Haute Dodo and Cavally Forest Reserves) is the largest and best-preserved area of Upper Guinea forest, but management needs improvement¹³. Forests on the border of Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire, near Mt Nimba, are not effectively protected¹³. The AfRap Project plans to conduct a systematic survey of this species in the National Parks of Côte d'Ivoire¹¹. River surveys for the species have been conducted recently in Gola. Conservation Actions Proposed Conduct surveys in western Ghana, around the three large river systems Tano, Ankobra and Pra and their tributaries⁸. Conduct surveys to determine whether the species occurs within other protected areas in West Africa⁷. Survey the mangroves of Guinea, Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana¹². Upgrade the protected status of Mt Loma (currently a non-hunting forest reserve)¹⁰ and carry out ecological studies there². Enforce the law against fishing with poison, particularly in protected areas. Improve the management and protection of protected areas where the species occurs, particularly riparian forest. Improve management of Taï National Park and periphery¹³. In Taï National Park and Gola Forest, take action to limit forest clearance in and around the national park and incorporate local people into the development of an effective management plan including development of land use regulations, alternative livelihoods, ecotourism and other activities that will limit encroachment into park¹³. Effectively motivate forest guards to carry out patrols¹³.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. It occurs in a few protected areas, including Taï National Park and Loma Forest Reserve. Taï National Park and periphery reserves (including Haute Dodo and Cavally Forest Reserves) is the largest and best-preserved area of Upper Guinea forest, but management needs improvement¹³. Forests on the border of Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire, near Mt Nimba, are not effectively protected¹³. The AfRap Project plans to conduct a systematic survey of this species in the National Parks of Côte d'Ivoire¹¹. River surveys for the species have been conducted recently in Gola.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct surveys in western Ghana, around the three large river systems Tano, Ankobra and Pra and their tributaries⁸. Conduct surveys to determine whether the species occurs within other protected areas in West Africa⁷. Survey the mangroves of Guinea, Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana¹². Upgrade the protected status of Mt Loma (currently a non-hunting forest reserve)¹⁰ and carry out ecological studies there². Enforce the law against fishing with poison, particularly in protected areas. Improve the management and protection of protected areas where the species occurs, particularly riparian forest. Improve management of Taï National Park and periphery¹³. In Taï National Park and Gola Forest, take action to limit forest clearance in and around the national park and incorporate local people into the development of an effective management plan including development of land use regulations, alternative livelihoods, ecotourism and other activities that will limit encroachment into park¹³. Effectively motivate forest guards to carry out patrols¹³.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2011. Scotopelia ussheri. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 24 May 2012.
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