The conservation of Galagoides rondoensis (Rondo Dwarf Galago) is urgently needed as this critically endangered small nocturnal primate species endemic to Tanzania with limited habitat range faces escalating threats from habitat degradation and loss, primarily due to human activities like agricultural encroachment, logging, and charcoal production. This project aims to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the species' spatial distribution and population density within the Ruvu South and Pugu/Kazimzumbwi Forest Reserves in Tanzania. These activities will lay a foundational understanding of the current population status and habitat needs of the species, addressing key conservation gaps left by the most recent assessments. This phase of the project will focus on gathering baseline data essential for developing a long-term conservation strategy. While future phases will include extensive community engagement, this initial phase concentrates on data collection, analysis, and the creation of spatial distribution maps, due to current budgetary limitations.

Galagoides rondoensis species was first classified as endangered in 2000, and in 8 years, it was moved to critically endangered according to IUCN Red list species in 2008 (Perkin, 2020). This species is highly affected by one major proximate threat which includes; habitat loss as a result of agricultural encroachment, logging, charcoal production, and forest fires. Most of projects involved in conservation of the species aimed at minimizing habitat disturbances but rarely conduct species status assessments. The area of the species occurrence does not exceed 101.6 km2 (Gwegime, 2016), and the most recent assessment was in 2004 (Perkin, 2020), showing absolute species density was around 3–6 individuals/ha at Pande Game Reserve and 8 individuals/ ha at Pugu Forest Reserve. Relative abundance from encounter rates are 3-10 individuals/ hr at Pande Game Reserve and Pugu/ Kazimzumbwi Forest Reserve and 3.94 individuals/ hr at Rondo Forest Reserve. Majority of these sites are national or local authority reserves highly affected by the bordering village land. It has been at least 20 years now since this last survey, and considering the overwhelming pressure on natural resources due to increase in human population and expansion of cities, there is a pressing need to update this species status. Although this study is aimed towards Ruvu South and Pugu/ Kazimzumbwi Forest Reserves which have been receiving laser attention lately compared to the rest, it will also include other sites in later stages as well.

To obtain accurate, updated baseline data on Galagoides rondoensis's spatial distribution and population density to guide conservation planning and habitat management.