Endangered Animal Species in Uganda; However, endangered animal species are animals or plants that are likely to become endangered within the danger of becoming extinct or foreseeable future throughout all. Fact Uganda’s most endangered animals are extinct, so it is very easy to take an offer of the thousands of species in the form of flora and fauna that it has. And some of them are not here to stay as trends show, yet are considered as endangered species. Meanwhile, Uganda is one of the destination to inhabit some of these endangered species. Here are some of the endangered animal species found in Uganda and why they are endangered as high lightened below;
Mountain Gorillas
However, this species is the most sought species on Uganda tours and can be encountered in their nature inhabits –Bwindi impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Uganda estimates the half world’s population of mountain gorillas with over 650 individuals. They can become extinct very easily due to their small members.
Gorilla facts
Gorilla move in groups of about 10 to 30 individuals but when it comes to time of sleeping each one sleeps in its own separate nest. The infants stay with their mother’s nest till after three years.
African Elephants
These species are found in most of the Uganda national parks, both savannah and forest areas. There number has declined because of killing their prized tusk which still fetches a good price on the black market despite effort to combat poaching.
By 1999, the number of African elephants estimated around 400,000 – 500,000 but at rate of 25,000 individuals were killed per year as was the case continent wide in 2011, which worried portion of that number not likely to exist anymore. The record from ‘’UWA’’ Uganda Wildlife Authority shows how Uganda was estimated to have 30,000 elephants in the 1960s but as of 2014, the number stands at 5,346.
Elephant facts
They love pineapples and if they are around area with them they will charge through it. Elephant species seem to be attracted by the smell of local brew like Kwete. They are terrified of trenches bees and has been used as a deterrent to keep them within the parks.
Lions
Over all, Lions are renown as the king of the jungle and same time one of the critically endangered species in the world. In 2008 Queen Elizabeth national park estimated with over 144 lion species.
They are being threatened by killing people to the near local community, road accidents, habitat loss and diseases. Unfortunately, Lake Mburo National park in year 2000 it almost lost its lion population due to poisonings done by the locals. A few are just returning through migrating from other parks in neighboring countries.
Chimpanzees
Due to the extinct which caused the number of chimpanzee’s decline and now the entire Africa is estimated to be less than 200,00 individuals. In Uganda Chimpanzees can be seen in Kibale Forest National Park known as a capital of primates with high percentage of the remaining gorilla species, can be encountered also in Budongo forest, Semliki forest reserve among others. They are famous for their value as pets in the animals trafficking market all over the world to thrill while on Uganda Safaris Tours .
Chimpanzee fact
Chimpanzees have a better short term memory than humans.
They are said to have 99% DNA to humans.
Leopards
In Uganda Leopards can be found in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Semuliki National Park, Kidepo Valley, Mount Elgon and Murchison Falls National Park. They are being declined in number due to the loss of habitat as human activity and settlement moves further into places they called home.
Leopard fact
These species are extremely hard to trace in the wild. Leopards are one of most elusive animal species in the wild.
Rhino
The Rhino are poached or Killed because of their horns which is believed as an important ivory to make medicinal property and has large markets in Asia. Early visitors to the African Continent shot as many as possible. In 1960, Uganda had over 300 Northern white Rhino but that number fell to only 20 in the 1980’s and then to zero. Also the same year ‘’1960’’ the Eastern Black Rhino were 400 individuals but dropped to 150 before disappearing entirely.
Then they had introduced more southern white Rhino from different countries and their number as increased to 32 individuals at their permanent home –Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
African Wild Dog
This is carnivore species which has one of the fastest shrinking population among the animals labeled endangered. They are casualties of human animal’s collision which are killed by a lot of people who see them as threats to their animals. Their young ones are also preyed on by other carnivores. African wild dog is rarely animal
