WCS Uganda Program - QEPA Community Lion Project by Daktari Andorra

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY (WCS) - UGANDA PROGRAM QUEEN ELIZABETH PROTECTED AREA COMMUNITY-LION PROJECT January/February Report 2014

Training meeting session in Pastoral areas

Dr. Jesus with the team castrating a Dog (Left) De-worming in progress (Right)

BY: Benjamin Sunday WCS Research Assistant QE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank the Wildlife Conservation Society; Lion Project staff in Uganda, particularly Andy Plumptre, for his willingness to support this project which intends to reduces community-Lion conflict in and around QECA and to support my worthy effort in the project. Special thank goes to Dr. Jesus Muro Figueres from Andorra Government for tireless assistance to the project like Assessing of animal health at the Wildlife-Domestic animal Interface and providing funds for Bore hole rehabilitation in Nyakatonzi Pastoral area and one Solar lights set to deter Large carnivore from attacking Livestock, and many thanks to Local Leaders in the communities in and around QECA, Dr. Margaret Dricilu for supporting our initiatives and providing one UWA Land cruiser for one day to collect samples from the Buffaloes and Kobs.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF ACRONYMS ............................................................................................................................................. 5 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................... 6 Monitoring of livestock loss to Carnivores .................................................................................................... 6 Filming in the northern part of the park........................................................................................................ 7 Assessment of Animal Health at Wildlife-Domestic interface ..................................................................... 7 Bore holes rehabilitation ..............................................................................................................................10 Eram Uganda Ltd Livestock Diseases control and Conservation Lectures ................................................11 Radio Talk show on the Community Lion project .......................................................................................12 Challenges faced............................................................................................................................................13 Recommendations ........................................................................................................................................13

LIST OF ACRONYMS COVAD

College of Veterinary Medicine Animal Resource and Bio-security

BTC

Belgian Technical Cooperation

MUK

Makerere University

NGO

Non Governmental Organization

QECA

Queen Elizabeth Protected Area

USAID

United States Agency for International Development

Artificial Insemination

UWA

Uganda Wildlife Authority

WCS

Wildlife Conservation Society

WHO

World Health Organization

WWF

World Wide Fund for Nature

INTRODUCTION The Wildlife Conservation Society, Albertine Rift Programme, has been working to conserve the lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park since 2005. Conservation of lions is hampered by the presence of Pastoralist communal grazing areas adjacent to the park. Lions are one of the most sought-after species by tourists visiting the Greater Virunga Landscape. Lions therefore are an important economic resource for the tourism industry in Uganda and bring in international currency, not only for the hoteliers and tour operators, but also for the local community living around the parks through the 20% revenue sharing scheme that the Uganda Wildlife Authority has with local communities. Lion numbers in Queen Elizabeth have declined from around 200 in 1999 to about 140 in 2009, mainly through snaring by poachers and poisoning by pastoralists for killing of cattle that are being illegally grazed in the park. Invasive plant species in and adjacent to Queen Elizabeth National Park, particularly Lantana comara, reduces the habitat quality available for ungulates, which in turn form the main prey species of the lions. Invasive weeds also limit the quality of grazing lands adjacent to the park causing pastoralists to move cattle into the park for forage. Conflicts are exacerbated by the pastoralists bringing their cattle into the park areas to find forage or water and if cattle are not killed in the park they are often killed because lions follow their trail out of the parks. Cattle killed by lions are sometimes laced with poison to kill the pride members that return to feed on the carcass. With the above background, Wildlife Conservation Society is trying to reduce conflict between the Community and Large Carnivores by working with the Community to Improving grazing land in the communal land, improving water sources in the area, sensitization, providing security to Livestock against large carnivores and forging the ways of creating alternative source of livelihood which will help reduce big numbers of livestock that seem to be a source of conflict.

Monitoring of livestock loss to Carnivores This activity is conducted in areas of Nyakatonzi, Kasenyi, Katunguru, Ahamukungu, Katwe and Kahendero, Muhokya, Kahendero and Karusandara, Kabirizi, Kashaka, Kyenzaza, Kataara, and 6

Kabukwiri. This is done together with Local leaders by explaining the aim of collecting that data and asking them if they know anybody who could have lost his/her livestock in case they mention one then that person is identified without the knowledge of the leader to find out the truth by looking at the place where the livestock got lost, taking GPS readings ask where she reported and any other evidence. I would also ask other people if they have any knowledge about the claimed incidence. For the half of January and Feb. the total number of six Goats, four cows and four Ducks were killed and this happened in Ahamukungu, Karusandara, Muhokya, Katunguru and Katwe and more of the kills were caused by the Leopards and more of the cases occurring in Hamukungu.

Filming in the northern part of the park The filming was conducted by company called Gryphon Films between 26th Jan to 2nd Feb They were filming UWA darting a lion and collaring it with a presenter talking about this and they also filmed about conflict with pastoralists and the work WCS is doing with water/range management and also people who have had to interact with lions. Lantana camara removal and range land improvement was done in Kabirizi pastoral area part of Nyakatonzi, the story of Lion encounter, cattle Kraal, Lantana camara coverage, and cattle herds trailing for water in Nyakatonzi also Lion grazing in the park and park boundaries was done near Pelican point towards L.Edward. The team of filming was headed by Mr. Peter who provided most of the guidance.

Assessment of Animal Health at Wildlife-Domestic interface The animal health surveillance was done by team composed of actors from Andorra government, Spain (Barcelona University), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Makerere University College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Recourses and Bio-security, Eram Uganda Limited the Veterinary service provider. Dr. Jesus Muro from Andorra government who was the leader in the activity and provided the funding for the whole activity, others in the team were myself Mr. Sunday Benjamin (WCS), Dr. Celsus Sente, Dr. Sebulime Peregrine, Mr. Kusiimakwe Dean Tugume (Vet student) all from MUK COVAD, Dr. Ignas Marco Barcelona University, Albert 7

Canturri and Berta Manalbens (students) from Zaragoza University, Dr. Byamukama Benedict from Eram Uganda Limited the veterinary service provider. And Dr. Natasha from London University who was investigating on TB .

The aim of the activity was: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

To de-worm by Ivermectine and Albendazol 10% livestock species. Collect fresh fecal samples from 60 cattle, 60 goat, 60 sheep. Collect blood samples from each species. Collect 60 fresh fecal samples from Uganda kobs, waterbucks and buffaloes. Vaccinate against rabies, CDV and CPV all the dogs owners request. To identify them by certificate and collaring. De-worm all the dogs and provide tables to continue treatment during the year. Sterilize males and females to reduce rabies, aggressiveness and reproduction. Training and sensitization of livestock owners about diseases, husbandry and treatments. Sensitize livestock-keepers and community members about conservation issues.

The long term assessment is expected to yield results to inform policy and one Health practitioners for betterment of public health and that of both domestic and wild animals recourses, and it will also serve as a mechanism to accomplish the training mandate of Makerere University. The activity took place in the District of Kasese and Rubirizi, Kanungu was not reached because of time factor as it was planned. The villages neighboring the PA were reached and they include: Nyakatonzi, Kabirizi, Busunga, Kahokya, Muhokya, Ahamukungu, L.Katwe( Kasese) Kirugu and Katanda sub-countieubirizi in Rubirizi district. The total of 2765 cattle, 810 Goats/sheep and 361 Dogs were de-wormed by lvermectine and Albendazol, 19 Dogs castrated/spayed. Also the totals of 191 samples from Cattle were tested for TB and 14 cases found positive.

Left: Dr. Vaccinating a Dog and Right: De-worming cows in Busunga

The table bellow summarizes the number of livestock treated and tested:

Village

No. of No. of No. of No. of TB Cattle Goats/sheep Dogs samples cases treated treated treated for TB

Dogs castrated

Surgeries

Nyakatonzi

600

KatweKabatoro T/C

500

Kabirizi

950

Busunga

150

Kahokya

226

01 eye

Ahamukungu 112

Muhokya

307

1 eye (s)

Kirugu s/c

427

Katanda S/C

368

Total

2765

810

361

191

Source: Benjamin Sunday

Bore holes rehabilitation Inadequate distribution of water decreases the ability to develop grazing patterns that allows more even use of the forage plants across all the communal lands and still provide adequate time for these plants to respond to grazing. As it currently stands, those areas closest to the one water source will continue to be overgrazed, with areas of heavier grazing increasing further from the source as available forage becomes limited closer to the water. The invasive plants will continue to increase, decreasing the diversity of native plants and potentially reducing overall ground cover and watershed health. Reducing livestock numbers, unless drastically reduced, won’t resolve this problem. To address this problem WCS has started the rehabilitation of Bore holes and Watering trough on the Bore holes for livestock. The rehabilitation of three Bore holes and construction of three watering trough started in January 21st 2014 and are expected to be handed over to the community in early March, and the following steps have been finished so far:    

Signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the community Site preparation for Bore holes and watering trough Dismantling of old Bore holes Mobilization of equipments and materials and are already on site

The Contractor decided to finish all of them at once as he urged that it will be cost effective for the company and he can be paid at once after handing them.

Dismantling exercise going on (left) as Benjamin Sunday supervising (right).

The Chairman of Basongora Cattle Keepers (MUHUMUZA) signing MOU for the Bore holes.

Eram Uganda Ltd Livestock Diseases control and Conservation Lectures

In order to increase the public awareness on Disease control and Animal husbandry and conservation of Wildlife, Eram Uganda limited together with me we integrated the two topics and conducted training sessions in form of Lecturers and power point presentations (showing the Wildlife films) in three different places of Nyakatonzi, Busunga and Katwe-Kabatoro town council. Issues like the importance of having few Livestock, good animal husbandry practice, Grazing Livestock with Wild animals increase the risks of the Diseases, Importance of conservation, and tourism and Global interests in conservation. The turn up was really interesting from those communities.

Left and right Benjamin Lecturing community members on conservation issues in Nyakatonzi

Radio Talk show on the Community Lion project The local radio station called Guide Radio in Kasese was used and I had Dr. Jesus,(Andorra) Dr. Ignas Marco (Spain), Dr. Celsus Sente,(MUK COVAD) Dr. Benedict Byamukama,(Eram Uganda limited) were hosted in the talk show which took one hour and it was intended to cover a wide audience on issues talked above and I obtained the recordings of the presentation from the station and the CD is attached.

Benjamin, Dr. Celsus and Dr. Benedict Presenting in the studios of Kasese Guide Radio

Challenges faced Generally the activity went well except difficulties in transport since most of the times we had one Vehicle to use for the big team, were by it required us to make two trips to each venue this wasted time and disrupted the program.

Recommendations After the activity we spent half of the at Bush Lodge camp sharing the lessons we learnt in the field and generated some way forward as a team. Among of the recommendations are: 

There is a need to start conservation Education program in Schools around the PA to help in cultural transformation in pastoral communities and raising awareness.



Carry out a study to determine the carrying capacity of the land in pastoral community that can help us determine the number of livestock that can be supported by their land.



Lastly to think about starting Co-operative Tourism in the communities as alternative to livestock which increase the conflict someone said “If co-operatives can be possible in agriculture, Microfinance why not Tourism?”