The Need For More Lion Conservation Efforts In Uganda

Gorilla trekking is one of the most popular wildlife conservation success stories in Uganda. There are quite a lot of community initiatives that contributed to the preservation of the mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable national park as well as Mgahinga gorilla national park. Part of the conservation efforts have been mainly due to the money raised through gorilla trekking permits, community empowerment None government organizations (NGOs) as well as several research funding initiatives.

Mountain gorillas tend to be a beat privileged because of they can only be found in three countries in the whole world. That is Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. Regardless of the civil unrest in the Democratic Republic of Congo, conservation efforts in Uganda and Rwanda have generally continued contributing to the conservation of these endangered species.

Lion Population Status in Uganda

The story tends to be different when it comes to Uganda’s lions. Currently there are more mountain gorillas in Uganda than lions. However the possibility of seeing the same efforts like what we see for gorilla trekking is far fetched. First of all, Lions are flourishing in Tanzanian parks as well as most of the Kenyan parks. This means that since lions can still be found in large numbers in other parts of Africa, the need to conserve lions in Uganda ceases to be a collective effort like that of gorilla trekking.

However it is not only Uganda that has suffered the fate of lion population decline. In fact according to WWF, over 26 countries in Africa have reported extinction of lions in their countries. The only countries that seem to be doing well in terms of lion conservation are those which are also doing well in tourism. These are Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, Botswana, and Zambia (popularly known for Victoria falls)

Lions in Kidepo Valley National Park

According to the last census that was conducted about two years ago, Uganda had around 400 lions in Kidepo valley national park, Murchison falls national park and Queen Elizabeth National Park combined. This shows that unless a similar effort like what has been taken in regard to gorilla trekking, Uganda lions will likely be closer to extinct in the next 3 decades. The pattern has been of a population dropping to half every after one decade.

Lions resting in Ngorongoro Conservation Area

About 20 years ago, Uganda had close to 400 lions in Murchison falls national park alone. Currently what was in one park is shared among four protected areas.

What Could Be Done?

By Tourists

The biggest threat to lions has been the increasing human wildlife conflict. Unless more efforts are taken to establish real boundaries between people and wildlife, more lions will likely be lost. Though it is Murchison falls national park that has lost the highest number of lions in the recent past, the human wildlife conflict is most prevalent in Lake Mburo National Park and Queen Elizabeth National park.

There is a need for advocacy. They tourists need to make a few demands. Probably signing a petition against communities residing within the park boundaries. Poaching in the savannah parks is still inevitable. Unless more efforts are taken in the savannah parks, the wildlife population decline in on steady progress.

By Tour Operators

Tour operators should start selling the experiential lion experience in Queen Elizabeth national park so that people will become aware of the real state of lions in Uganda. This experience also exposes you to the continuous human-wildlife conflict.

By Uganda Wildlife

The Uganda wildlife Authority needs to take initiatives of relocating all communities out of the protected areas. It can be a 10 year plan but this will reduce the human wildlife conflict.

By The Government Of Uganda

There is need for the government of Uganda to appropriate more money for conservation. While many people are encouraging the government to invest more money in marketing Uganda but due continuous degradation will make Uganda a none desirable destination. Unless conservation is taken seriously, a lot will continue to be at stake beyond wildlife to the country’s ecosystem.