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Say No To Ivory Trade And Lets Conserve African Elephants

International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) recently estimated Ugandan elephant population to have tremendously increased up to 6000. This is (approximately) 600% increase after the 800 elephants that was recorded in the late 80’s. Government of Uganda is establishing measures to jealously guard these endangered spices which is regarded top in the “Big Five animals”.

As the elephant’s population increases, an increase in the number of poachers is greatly registered. Many poachers have been found illegally trading the lucrative elephants’ ivory. In this article, you will find valuable information including the governments take on this.

I’m confident you will act as an ambassador of ‘Elephant conservation’ and will stand with us and say No to elephant poaching.

“It’s hopeful to see elephant numbers increasing in Uganda as a result of effective protection in several parks, despite the rampant poaching and ivory trafficking across much of Africa,” said Dr Paul Elkan, a WCS Senior Conservationist involved in the surveys.

We can report that basing on Paul Elkans’ recommendation; government is not sitting back but strengthening more tight measures for elephant protections. Elikan said after the survey:  “The strong Ugandan Government leadership, targeted investment in field based anti-poaching and anti-trafficking action, and trans-boundary elephant protection efforts will be critical to these sustaining efforts and addressing the poaching problems in Queen Elizabeth.”

In 2015 Uganda faced one of the highest deaths of elephants in recent years due to poaching with poachers killing 6 elephants in Queen Elizabeth National Park alone.

According to the recent aerial surveys, there at close to 2500 elephants in Murchison falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park are estimated to have 3500 elephants. “Improved protection, creation of UWA, together with support from Government, donors, and conservation partners are solid reasons for this propelling increment,” said Seguya

Besides that, Seguya aspects the increase in elephant population in Murchison Falls National Park to increased vigilance by the rangers and tight boundary controls after Uganda being labeled by CITES as one of the eight countries  of primary concern in the ivory trade in 2012 because of the volume of illegal ivory that had passed through Uganda.

Because of that, new ‘tough measures’ to be included in the amended Uganda Wild Life Act have been adopted. Among them there is a maximum jail terms of up to 20 years and fines ranging up to UGX 200 million (USD 60,000) for poachers. Dr. Andrew Seguya who is Uganda Wildlife Authority’s (UWA) Executive Director confirmed that the bill is already at the first Parliamentary Council.

Conclusion

While prevailing numbers of elephants is recorded, Government’s take against poachers, and the numerous support from stakeholders, poaching still remain a big problem in Uganda and there is a need to remain vigilant.

The discovery of illegally killed elephants in Queen Elizabeth Park recently means that Uganda is still not completely secure from poaching. We are asking you to join hands and let’s fight “Elephant poaching” in Uganda and entire Africa.

Remember to have a better tomorrow you have to conserve today’s wildlife. Have you heard or seen any one with elephants ivory? Report to UWA or any local authority today

What steps do you want us to take in order to prevent elephant (wild life) poaching in Uganda? Feel free to share your views in the comment section!

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