Kaya Kinondo Sacred Forest:  Biodiversity

The Kaya Kinondo Sacred Forest is rich in plant species that occur within the forest site. 187 types have been recorded and are of varying ecological importance and status (185 indigenous species and 2 alien species) these include 3 rare and possibly endemic species ( Ziziphus robertsoniana, Grevea egglingii, diphessia spp A, and Ochna thomasiana.

The forest has old trees that date back 600 years according to the floristic survey done in 1987.

The Kaya is also rich in Fauna. Some primate species are found in this forest;

• Colobus monkeys (colobus angolensis).
• Bush babies (Galago senegalensis).
• Yellow Baboons (Papio cynocephalus).
•  Sykes Monkey (Cercopithecus mitts).
• Vervet Monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops).

Other Small mammals present in the forest include the *rare Zanj elephant shrew, *rare golden ramped elephant shrew, *Sunni antelope, *bush duikers, *giant mall rats, *wild pigs, *hedgehogs, *red sun squirrels, *bush tail squirrels, *mega chiropteran batts and *micro chiropteran batts.

The avifauna (birdlife) of Kaya Kinondo is also very diverse with more than 45 species having been recorded.

These include the rarely spotted ground thrush (zuthera gutatata) , Harmacop and the turaco. Insect life is also very high with over 100 moth species and 60 butterfly species, giant millipedes and among other insects.

Amphibians, Molasses and reptiles also occur but in small populations (African ground snail and slugs) (African vine snake, green snake, monitor lizards , geckos, chameleons and night adders are common in the forest)

Some plants and animals that occur in this forest have great social and cultural significance to the local people such as –