International Day for Biological Diversity

Biodiversity is declining at an unprecedented and alarming rate. Due to human pressure on natural resources, the resources are depleted at a rate more than nature can replenish them. We have already suffered the consequences. COVID19 pandemic is just one of problems arising from abuse of nature. We need to protect nature and restore the ecosystems in order to bring about balance in our relationship with nature. We have a choice, either to be part of the problem or to be part of the solution. On this international day for biological diversity, let us choose to be part of the solution. Let us protect nature and stop human loss.

World Migratory Birds Day

Today Help African Animals joins the rest of the world to commemorate World Migratory Birds Day. This year’s theme is sing, fly, soar like a bird. Much as most of us humans have been locked down by the COVID19 pandemic, migratory birds have not. Migratory birds know no border. This is therefore a call to all of us, wherever we are to join hands and protect migratory birds.

We protect fish too

Our own members attended the passing out of Marine Officers at the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Marine Training School located at Kalangalo today. The officers will be out on the waters of Uganda to enforce the Fish Act and Rules made under it. We are happy to work with the UPDF to protect fish in Uganda.

Four arrested over the death of lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Four men have been arrested in connection with the death of the six lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park. These are Ampurire Brain aged 26 years, Tumuhire Vincent aged 49 years, Aliyo Robert aged 40 years and Miliango Davi aged 68 years.

According to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), the four were arrested last night at Kyenyabutongo village, Rusoroza parish, Kihihi sub-county, Kanungu district during a joint operation mounted by UWA, Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), and police.

Upon arrest, the suspects led the security team to a location where three (3) heads of lions were found hidden in a tree while the fourth one had been buried with fifteen (15) legs of lions under the same tree. Three bottles containing a chemical commonly known as Furadan and a two little jerry can of lion fat oil were recovered in a banana plantation. Two spears, one pang, and one hunting net were found hidden in a garden at the home of one of the suspects.

The carcasses of the six lions were discovered at Ishasha sector on the evening of Friday, March 19th, 2021 upon which discovery investigations were commenced.

Help African Animals applauds UWA and all security agencies that participated in the investigations that led to the arrest of the suspects. Whereas we are well aware that the lives of the lost lions cannot be brought back, we believe that if the culprits are strongly punished, other offenders will be deterred from committing similar offenses hence leading to better protection of the lions and all other wildlife.

Uganda mourns the death of six lions

Uganda mourns the death of six lions at Queen Elizabeth National Park. According to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), the carcasses of the lions were found at Ishasha sector on the evening of March 19th, 2021 with most of their body parts missing. Eight dead vultures were also found at the scene which points to possible poisoning of the lions by unknown people. However, given the fact that some body parts of the lions were missing, UWA does not rule out illegal wildlife trafficking.

An investigation has been commenced with conservationists working with the local police to get to the root of the cause of the death of the lions.

Help African Animals condemns the illegal killing of wildlife because it impacts negatively on tourism in Uganda and threatens the survival of all species in the wild.

There have been a number of previous incidents where lions at Queen Elizabeth National Park were believed to have been poisoned. These include an incident in 2010 when five lions died and a similar incident in 2018 which led to the death of eleven lions including eight cubs.

Happy Women’s Day

Today we join the rest of the world to celebrate Women’s Day. On this special day we celebrate all women around the world that have chosen to challenge all systems that have not only oppressed, exploited and left women marginalized but also all those systems that have led to animal abuse and exploitation. Let’s continue speaking out for animals.

Founder Help African Animals recognized for her outstanding contribution to wildlife conservation

In today’s national celebrations of World Wildlife Day in Uganda, our very own Gladys Kamasanyu was given an award for her outstanding contribution to wildlife conservation in Uganda. Gladys is the founder of Help African Animals and a magistrate at the Uganda Wildlife Court, the only specialized wildlife court in Africa. She was involved in the establishment of the court. Gladys has fearlessly adjudicated over many wildlife cases involving illicit wildlife products like elephant ivory, pangolin scales, live pangolins, hippopotamus teeth and others, forestry, and fish cases. We are grateful that the government of Uganda recognizes Gladys’ contribution in the fight against wildlife crime.

Uganda mourns death of a rhino

Uganda mourns death of Nandi, a 22 year old rhino. Nandi died of unknown natural causes on 28th February 2021 at the rhino sanctuary at Nakasongola. She has been referred to as the “mother of rhinos” at the sanctuary. Nandi was received at the sanctuary in 2006 from Disney Animal Kingdom. She gave birth to the first rhino at the sanctuary called Obama in 2009. Nandi has been ill for some time. In January 2021, she gave birth to a female calf called Achiru. Nandi was unfortunately, not able to feed her daughter due to illness. The calf was handed over to the Uganda Wildlife Education Center for proper care. The calf sadly died ten(10) days later. The two deaths are a big blow to the Uganda Rhino Fund and the entire country. The death reduces the total number of rhinos at the sanctuary to 33 individuals. Rest In Peace Nandi.