Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has announced that they have offered a Shs 10 million reward to whoever can surrender information that will lead to the arrest of individuals who recently killed six tree climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The carcasses of the lions were last week found at Isasha sector with most of their body parts missing. Eight dead vultures were also found at the scene which points to possible poisoning of the lions, according to UWA, by unknown people.
“Following the death of six lions in Queen Elizabeth National
Park, the Management of Uganda Wildlife Authority has put up a reward of UGX 10, 000,000 (Ten Million Uganda Shillings) to anybody with information that will lead to the arrest and
successful prosecution of the people behind the heinous act,” states the wildlife conservation body in a statement.
“Conserving our wildlife resources is a duty for all Ugandans and we should all work together
in fighting all forms of wildlife crime. We therefore argue the public to join us in this fight by giving us information in confidence so that the killers of our lions are brought to book,” UWA adds.
The body says those with useful information to the effect can reach them on telephone number +256 776 800 152 and is guaranteed of his or her confidentiality.
UWA says that since discovery of the dead lions on March 18, 2021, they have collected samples from the
carcasses and taken them for laboratory tests to establish the actual cause of death adding that other government agencies have also joined in investigating this matter.
“We reiterate our unwavering commitment to protecting Uganda’s wildlife heritage. Over
the years, our concerted and consistent conservation efforts have seen an increase in animal numbers in all our protected areas and this trend continues despite the setbacks we encounter,” notes UWA.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the popular savanna parks in Uganda and the best place to see lions including the Tree Climbing lions.
The part which is tipped to be the perfect destination for a Uganda Wildlife Safari has previously witnessed incidents where lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park were believed to have been poisoned – in 2010, five lions died and suspected poisoning led to the death of 11 lions in 2018.