Each week, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has to rescue an elephant or lion from a wire snare. The snares, set up by poachers, are fixed on fences or trees to trap the animals.

According to Sam Mwanda, UWA's Director of Conservation, poaching is common in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls national parks. 'We have been called every week to remove snares from animals in the two parks', he said. Mwanda said it is necessary to engage the communities more and provide incentives that are better than the proceeds from poaching.

Apart from game meat consumed by hunters Kampala, Gulu, Masindi and Kasese are thought to be the main outlets for the bush meat trade.

(Extract of article by Gerald Tenywa, New Vision, 10th September 2009 
Full article can be read online by clicking here)

Comment: UCF works with UWA to combat poaching and the illegal bush meat trade in a number of its projects. Several boat stations have now been built and equipped for the use of the UWA  wildlife rangers. Moving by boat the rangers are able to access and patrol larger areas more easily than in the past. UCF is currently constructing a new boat station and ranger accommodation on the northern shore of Lake George to continue this work. You can help by donating funds for this work by clicking here.