Elephant and Rhino Numbers Rising in Uganda After Years-Long Poaching Wave

Populations of endangered elephants, rhinos and other wildlife in Uganda’s reserves is steadily growing, following years of decline as a result of poaching, illegal trafficking and conflict, according to state-run Uganda Wildlife Authority.

A population of northern white and eastern black rhino wiped out in the 1980s by poachers has grown back to 32, reports South Africa’s News24.com. This after a wildlife charity brought in four rhinos in 2005.

Through dedicated conservation efforts between 1983 and 2021, buffaloes increased 77% to 44,163 and elephants surged almost 300% to 7,975.

Between the 1960s and 1980s, a number of species experienced devastating declines as political conflict and lack of law enforcement allowed poaching, trafficking and encroachment to run rampant in wildlife-rich areas.

However, the Ugandan government acted decisively, establishing a range of conservation policies, including lengthy jail terms for wildlife-related crime.

Credit: Gorilla Tracking Tours and Safaris

"Wildlife populations are on a steady recovery," the local authority said.

It added that, in a boost to the tourism industry, there had also been an increase in the number of mountain gorillas in dense forests in the southwest of the country.

“We applaud the swift and decisive action of the Ugandan authorities in addressing wildlife crime and bringing perpetrators to book,” said executive director of Animal Survival International (ASI), David Barritt. “It is clear that stricter policing and targeted conservation efforts are effective in protecting wild animals and reducing the scourge of poaching and illegal trafficking. ASI strongly urges more African nations to follow in the footsteps of Uganda in order to protect its precious and irreplaceable wildlife populations.”

Banner image credit: Great Adventure Safaris