Mongabay · Climate & nature

Uganda and NGO to Co-Manage National Park Sector

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) have entered a 10-year agreement to jointly manage the Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, an area known for its tree-climbing lions.

Under the agreement, WCS will handle day-to-day operations in the Ishasha Sector, focusing on biodiversity management, community engagement, and tourism development. UWA will maintain responsibility for law enforcement and wildlife protection within this 500 sq km area.

This partnership reflects a growing trend of public-private collaborations in African conservation. Both organizations will work together on activity plans and budgets.

The Ishasha Sector's lion population has drastically declined, with fewer than five individuals remaining. The overall lion population in Queen Elizabeth National Park has fallen by over 90% since the late 1970s.

Conservationists believe the Ishasha lion population may require translocation to recover, but threats such as human-wildlife conflict, habitat loss, and poaching must be addressed first.

Past incidents include retaliatory killings of lions by local communities due to livestock predation and poisoned carcasses causing multiple lion deaths. WCS plans to engage local communities by recruiting 'lion guardians' and providing resources like livestock enclosures and water boreholes.

WCS will also oversee law enforcement in Ishasha, implementing human rights protections, a grievance structure, and a code of conduct, following credible allegations of misconduct by UWA rangers previously reported at the park. Both organizations have agreed on measures to enhance accountability and community engagement.

AI-samenvatting op basis van de bron.