Arabuko-Sokoke Forest.
Arabuko-Sokoke Forest
Arabuko-Sokoke forest (41,600 hectares) is the largest single block of natural coastal forest remaining in East Africa. Its rich biodiversity includes a concentration of endemic and endangered flora and fauna.
On the African mainland the forest ranks second in bird conservation value, after the Congo rain forest, as home to six globally threatened taxa (Clarke’s Weaver, Sokoke Scops Owl, Amani Sunbird, Sokoke Pipit, Spotted Ground Thrush and East Coast Akalat).
Of the fifty two mammal species found in the forest 5 are globally threatened (African Elephant, Golden Rumped Elephant Shrew, Bushy Tailed Mongoose, Red Bush Squirrel and Ader's Duiker). Diverse populations of reptiles and invertebrates are present, which include 250 recorded species of butterfly (4 are endemic). The forests conservation depends on its co-existence with the surrounding rapidly growing rural population that is hard pressed for land, jobs and income sources.