Uganda translocates zebra and impala to boost Katonga Wildlife Reserve

Zebras, Impalas translocated to Katonga Wildlife Reserve

August 2013. The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has completed the first phase of the restocking of Katonga Wildlife Reserve, which is part of the Kibale Conservation Area in Western Uganda, with zebras and impalas. The wildlife translocated to Katonga was captured from the ranches around Lake Mburo National Park in July 2013.

According to Dr. Patrick Atimnedi, the Veterinary Coordinator of the UWA, the next phase will see translocation of more zebras, elands and topis.

Katonga Wildlife Reserve

Katonga Wildlife Reserve is a national park in western Uganda, along the banks of River Katonga. It protects a network of forest-fringed wetlands along the Katonga River. Best explored by foot and by canoe, it is home to more than forty species of mammals and one hundred and fifty species of birds; many of them specific to wetland habitats.

Commonly sighted in the wetland reserve are elephant, waterbuck, reedbuck, colobus monkeys and river otters. Also found in this habitat is the shy Sitatunga, a semi-aquatic antelope with webbed hooves.

The Chief Conservation Area manager, Charles Tumwesigye says this has been the first translocation exercise done by UWA without external support.

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Mountain gorilla population grows

Some good news at last, but the threats are ever present and the huge conservation effort must continue

November 2012. The total world population of mountain gorillas has risen to 880, according to census data released by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The number of mountain gorillas has increased from the 2010 estimate of 786 after a count in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The critically endangered animals live only in two locations, Bwindi and the Virunga Massif area, which spans parts of Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and Rwanda.

Growing population for 10 years

A total of 400 mountain gorillas have been confirmed to be living in Bwindi and 480 were counted in the Virunga Massif in 2010. Both populations have had positive trends in population growth over the last decade.

"Mountain gorillas are the only great ape experiencing a population increase. This is largely due to intensive conservation efforts and successful community engagement," said David Greer, WWF's African Great Ape Programme Manager.

Major tourist attraction
Many mountain gorilla groups have been habituated to human presence and are a major tourist draw. In addition to supporting the important surveillance activities of park staff, visitor revenue has been reinvested into community projects such as wells and schools.

Threats - Snares, disease and habitat loss
The greatest current threats to mountain gorillas are entanglement in hunting snares, disease transfer from humans, and habitat loss. The prospect of oil exploration in Democratic Republic of the Congo's Virunga National Park by petroleum companies is also cause for concern.

Continued:  http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/gorilla-population012.html