Baer's Wood Mouse (Hylomyscus baeri)

Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 172515463

Status and Conservation of the Endangered Baer’s Wood Mouse (Hylomyscus baeri) in Ghana

Hylomyscus baeri is one of the least studied small mammals in the world. Since its first description in 1965 by Heim de Balsac and Aellen, only few individuals have been recorded in Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Sierra Leone and Guinea despite intense collections in these areas (Decher and Schlitter, 2016). Hylomyscus baeri is classified as Endangered mainly because of its small area of occupancy (<500km) and suspected decreasing population across its known ranges (IUCN, 2016). Deforestation resulting from forest conversion for agriculture and firewood collections are the cited possible causes for the population decline of this species.

In Ghana, Bimpong Forest Reserve and the Atewa Hills are of critical importance when it comes to conserving Hylomyscus baeri. To-date, the species is known from only one location which is the Bimpong Forest Reserve. Further to this, the IUCN has recommended surveys in Atewa Hills as this reserve is likely to harbour Hylomyscus baeri (Decher and Schlitter, 2016). Unfortunately, these two reserves face threats of deforestation resulting from agriculture and illegal mining activities. There is therefore an urgent need to conduct studies that will provide reliable data to respond to the conservation needs of this Endangered species in the proposed study areas

The goal of this project is to preserve the remnant population of the Endangered Hylomyscus baeri in Ghana by providing comprehensive ecological data for future monitoring and conservation planning.