Uganda wildlife Authority and the whole tourism fraternity in Uganda is still mourning the unfortunate death of six lions. The Dead bodies of killed lions were found in Queen Elizabeth National park, the second largest and famous National Park in the Pearl of Africa. The lions are believed to have been poisoned by local people living in areas adjacent to Queen Elizabeth National Park for unknown reasons.
Sadly, the poachers took some body parts of the lions including the heads, legs and hearts. Later, the heads of the dead lions were found in Kyenyabutongo village in Kihihi one of the sub counties surrounding Queen Elizabeth National Park. The dead vultures that were found on the dead bodies of lions were the confirmation that the endangered lions were indeed poisoned.
Similar past incidents
The recent poisoning of Lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park and other savannah parks of Uganda is not the first one. The similar incident happened in April 2018 when 11 Lions were found dead in Queen Elizabeth Park. 8 of these were cubs. Similar in May 2010, Five lions were poisoned and killed in the same park (Queen Elizabeth National Park). Poaching has been and is still a big threat to tourism and wildlife conservation in Uganda and other neighboring countries especially the Democratic Republic of Congo. The other recent incident of poaching was reported in Bwindi impenetrable Forest National Park when local people killed a gorilla
Four suspects arrested
Given the big loss in terms of tourism revenue and conservation, Uganda Wildlife Authority put a reward of 10 Million Uganda shillings to anyone who gives any relevant information on the where about of the poachers. A short time after the incident, four people were arrested after a tipoff by one concerned citizen. The suspects are help in custody as further investigations take place. Mr Bashir Hangi, the communications manager at Uganda Wildlife Authority confirmed the arrest of four suspects in relation to the poisoning of 6 lions. In his communications, Bashir said “A patriotic person reported to us about those who killed the lions and we arrested them. We condemn acts of killing wild animals in the game parks”. The four suspects were found in Kanungu district in possession of four heads ad 15 legs of the fallen lions. The suspects then led the police and conservation team to where they had hid the other remains of the dead lions. Still in the search, the police discovered 3 bottles of Furadan chemical together with a 2 liter jerry can of lion fat. The security operative team also found a Panga, 2 spears ad a hunting net hidden in some nearby garden.
Top travel activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Being the second biggest National park in Uganda, Queen Elizabeth National Park offers a great list of interesting things to see and do for travelers on Uganda safaris. The park is spread on 1,978 square kilometers in Rubirizi district. Despite the loss of lions, tourism in Queen Elizabeth National Park is still ongoing. African Apes Tours is your best guide to this amazing park. The top travel activities and attractions in Queen Elizabeth National Park include:
• Game Viewing: This is the number one travel activity for most travelers to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Guided morning and evening game drives in open plains of the park offer you great views of numerous wild animals grazing , browsing and predators hunting. Expect to see lots of wild animals such as elephants, Lions, Buffalos, Uganda Kobs, Elands, Topis, Leopards, Hippos, Black and white colubus, waterbucks and bushbucks among others. Do not miss visiting Ishasha sector known for its famous tree-climbing lions seen resting lazily up in the acacia and fig trees.
• Boat cruise on Kazinga Channel: A Uganda safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park without a cruise at Kazinga channel is incomplete. A cruise on Kazinga channel connecting from Lake Edward to Lake George offers you fresh feeling and scenic views of birds and animals seen on the riverbanks. Our 3 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park tour is your suitable package to enjoy game and boat cruise at Kazinga Channel. If you are a birder, Kazinga channel is a best spot for you! Expect to see lots of bird species, which include African Shoebill, Yellow Billed stork, African Kingfisher, African Fish eagle, White egrets, Backed Pelicans, Black Crake, Hammerkop and Jacana among others. More so, look out for crocodiles and monitoring lizards seen resting lazily on the riverbanks. A scenic views of fishing villages in Queen Elizabeth national Park is a great experience.
• Crater Lakes: Visit any of the crater Lakes in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Each Lake ha a different history and features. The most visited crater Lakes in Queen Elizabeth National park include Lake Katwe for salt mining, Lake Munyanyange home to the greater and lesser flamingoes, Lake Bunyampaka among others.
• Lion Tracking: Take Part in the experimental lion tracking experience. The adventure experience is done in the kasenyi plains and it entails following up on the kings of the jungle to learn and experience their lifestyle. You will join a team of conservationist and veterinary duties plus armed rangers for lion tracking experience. Radio calls have been set in all corners of Kasenyi to alert rangers whenever a lion passes by.
Park entrance fees to Queen Elizabeth National Park
All travelers are asked to pay a certain amount of money as park entrance fees into Queen Elizabeth National Park. These are $40 for foreign residents, $30 for foreign residents and UGX 20,000 for East African Citizens. The children park entrance fees are $20 for foreign nonresidents, $10 for foreign residents and UGX 3000 for Eat Africans. The park entrance fee is valid for 24 hours after which a traveler is asked to leave the park or pay again.
Rules and Regulations in Queen Elizabeth National park
Travelers visiting Queen Elizabeth National park are advised to adhere and follow the rules in the park to ensure safety of wild animals and travelers themselves. These include:
1. Do not litter in the park
2. Do not drive off tracks, Its illegal
3. Do not pick any flowers or vegetation in the park
4. Keep your receipts given on entrance for inspections reasons
5. Pets such as dogs and cats are not allowed into the park
6. Driving in the park between 7:00pm and 7:00am is illegal and punishable
7. Loud sounding motor horns which disturb the peace of travelers are not allowed in the Park
8. Campfires are not allowed in the park unless in the designated places.
9. Over speeding beyond 40km per hours is not allowed in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Conclusively, we continue to mourn the death of the six lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park.