Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), a state-run wildlife agency, said on 9 February that they had seen an increase in wildlife populations. This good news follows years of decreased numbers due to poachers, traffickers, and conflict.
In the 1980s, the northern white rhino and eastern black rhino were hunted and killed by poachers. Their numbers have grown to 32 after a charity introduced 4 more rhinos into Uganda in 2005.
Due to heavy conflict and lawlessness in the country between the 1960s and 1980s the ‘country suffered massive declines in some species’ reports Reuters.
The government has since increased conservation efforts and implemented ‘lengthy jail terms for violations’ which has resulted in a 77% increase in buffalo populations, and a 300% increase in elephant numbers between 1983 and 2021. The country has also seen a growth in mountain gorilla populations, resulting in a tourism boost.
Picture: GettyImages
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