Johnny Wilson - Golden Mole Research

Golden moles are one of Africa’s most endangered and most elusive group of mammals. The 2007 Red List of Threatened Species lists considers 10 of the 18 known South African golden mole species as threatened. Three more species are considered near threatened and one require more information (data deficient), which leaves only four South African species of least conservation concern according to IUCN criteria. Three other Golden Mole species are known elsewhere in Africa – two of them lack data for evaluation. Undoubtedly, the survival of South Africa’s golden moles hangs in a balance and more data is urgently needed to enable us to make informed decisions as to their survival.

Between 2003 and 2005 (part-time) and 2006/2007 (full-time), I spent a considerable amount of time in the field surveying Golden Moles. During this time I recorded numerous new Golden Mole localities, and potentially discovered a few new species; genetic samples are currently being analyzed to clarify the phylogeny of my finds. Genetic samples will also provide us with information on population structure, gene flow and reproduction of Golden Moles, within and between species. I am proud to say that I also managed to collect chromosome samples from a third of South Africa’s Golden Mole species - which any mole expert will tell you is no mean feat.

Conservation of African Golden Moles