Rural people live in the same ecosystem with wildlife. Unless they are involved in conservation, all conservation efforts are in vain. Help African Animals is determined to travel to rural areas in Uganda and educate rural people about conserving wildlife in their communities. We are driven by the belief that unless rural people understand the importance of the wildlife with whom they live, they will not care to conserve them.
Help African Animals joins Uganda Wildlife Authority and all Ugandans to mourn the death of Sgt. Guma Scot who was killed by an elephant yesterday 15th November, 2020 while he with four other rangers responded to problem elephants at Lapono village, Anaka sub-county in Nwoya district. Rest In Peace true conservationist.
Today, Ms. Gladys Kamasanyu the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Help African Animals met with Dr. Gladys Kalema – Zikusoka, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Conservation Through Public health and had a fruitful discussion on wildlife conservation issues in Uganda. Animals don’t speak. We are speaking for them.
These are scales of pangolins seized in Uganda. Pangolins have to first be killed in order to get their scales off their bodies. Can anyone guess how many pangolins had to be murdered to get all these scales? Are the individuals that were murdered replaceable? The answer is NO.
Of the eight species of pangolins in the world, Uganda is home to all the four pangolins native species to Africa. However, there is a huge knowledge gap across Uganda about pangolins and their importance. As a result, Ugandan pangolins are seriously threaten by poaching and illegal hunting which are driven by illicit international trade. Pangolins are murdered for their meat and scales which are on high demand especially in China and Vietnam.
It has become increasingly necessary to protect pangolins. This calls for taking deliberate steps to end the impunity. There is need to raise awareness about pangolins and their importance which includes both their extrinsic and intrinsic values. The legal system should also be properly used to protect pangolins.
Today around 27,000 rhinos remain in the wild. Very few rhinos survive outside national parks and game reserves. Some species of rhinos are among the world’s most endangered animals. Rhinos are threatened by habitat loss and poaching. However, poaching which is driven by consumer demand for the rhino horn primarily in Asia, is the biggest threat to rhinos. Rhino horns are used as symbols of pride and high-value gift items by wealthy individuals in Asian nations.
Despite, the ban on international trade in rhino horn under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES), the demand for rhino horn has remained high. Rhino poaching levels hit a record high in 2015 when poachers slaughtered over 1,000 rhinos in Africa.
It is up to us to save the rhinos! Let’s speak out for them.
