What are the endangered animal species in Uganda? However, Uganda is one of the world’s top-ranking bio-diverse countries that hold many endangered flora and fauna species that makes the country truly deserve to be called the ‘’Pearl of Africa’’. The landscape of the country is as very attractive as the wildlife it holds.
In Uganda each year the country receives over 100,000 people who come in specially to meet the mountain Gorillas or the chimpanzees. Besides mountain gorillas and chimpanzees, there are many reasons for these animals reducing their numbers such as poaching, deforestation, and climate change. However, these animal species have been saved by adopting many methods by the hand of Uganda’s government. Below is the list of 9 endangered species that you should meet once before they vanish.
Mountain Gorilla
Mountain Gorillas are the most attractive and most visited species on Uganda Safaris. These are the prime reason why most tourists book their tickets to visit Uganda’s volcanic mountain forests these are the unique gentle giant species yet the harmless ones.
They have 98% human DNA and are very playful and interesting to watch. Mountain Gorillas are said to decrease heavily due to poaching and deforestation. However, the government of Uganda has put in a lot of effort to save them and recently, the population has improved in number. Considered critically endangered by IUCN’s Red List and many programs have been set out to stop poaching.
Rothschild Giraffe
The International Union for Conservation of Nature ‘’ICUN’’ has added Rothschild giraffes to the endangered animal list to the number of Rothschild giraffes is decreasing fast. Less than 670 Rothschild giraffes are living in Africa and, today out of which 60% can be spotted in the national parks of Uganda.
Interesting facts about the Rothschild giraffe:
The Rothschild’s giraffe lives in desert and savannah plain areas of Africa. Uganda can be seen in Murchison Fall National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, and Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Rothschild’s giraffes can eat 75 pounds of food each day.
These species sleep just about 30 minutes a day
Rothschild’s giraffes weigh between 1800 and 2500 pounds
Rothschild’s giraffes mature to between 16 and 19 feet.
Rhinoceros Species
The illegal hunt by the poachers has made it a danger to their decrease in number. Once widely roaming in northern Uganda, black Rhinos are now found few.
White Rhinos are unique and very rare species that can be spotted only 80 -100 in protected areas and the national park in Uganda.
Amazing facts about Rhinos;
The word Rhinoceros means nose horn.
There are different species of Rhinos and out of which 3 are native to Asia and 2 are native to Africa.
White rhinos can weigh over 3500 kilograms
The 2nd largest land mammal after elephants are white rhinos.
Three of the 5 rhinoceros species are listed as being critically endangered
A group of rhinoceros is known as a ‘’herd’’ or a crash.
Red Colobus Monkey Species
Uganda is among the few places to see these beautiful Red colobus monkey species. Although they are recognized as a distinct species since 2001. The red Colobus monkey is an old-world monkey species that be seen in five places in Uganda and Tanzania.
More so, the monkey populations have been decreasing rapidly and a study says the Ugandan red colobus monkey population dropped 89 percent in number.
They are at high risk due for two reasons; they getting killed by both the poachers and the chimps in the country’s national park.
Facts about Red Colobus Monkeys:
They are grey to black with brightred–orange undersides, cheeks, and lower half of limbs.
The name was got from the Greek word ‘’Colobe’’ which means ‘’cripple’’
They don’t have thumbs
Red colobus monkeys have long tails which are around 24 inches.
Chimpanzee specie
This is one of the most classic safaris that has impacted Uganda’s tourism. With decreasing numbers of chimps now chimpanzee safari in Uganda is becoming more popular day by day. Uganda has more than 5,000 individual species in its national parks and reserve areas. They are decreasing rapidly due to deforestation, getting hunted for meat, and also being mutilated by wire traps set for antelope species in the forest areas, What Are the Endangered Animal Species in Uganda?
Uganda can be tracked –trekked in several different safari places; Kibale Forest National Park renowned as the capital of primates worldwide hosting over 1,500 individuals. Queen Elizabeth National Park is also home to chimpanzees which can be trekking in Kyambura gorge. Visit Kalinzu forest home to chimpanzee species, Toro Semuliki National reserve, Visit Budongo forest in Murchison Falls National Park among others. Note; Chimpanzee tracking can’t be done without a valid permit which costs USD200 in Kibale forest per person per day.
Interesting facts about Chimpanzees;
Chimpanzees are highly adaptable species that live in and deserve vegetables like a tropical rainforest, and montane rainforests at altitudes of up to 3000 meters and swap forests.
Chimpanzees share 98% of genetics with humans
Male chimpanzees have a life span of 31.7 years; female chimps live up to 38.7 years.
Female chimpanzees get their sexual maturity at the age of 13 and after 13 years old they can give birth to children any time of the year.
They enjoy playing activities like; hugging, kissing, and holding the baby tightly.
Male chimpanzees have a life span of 31.7 years; female chimpanzees live up to 38.7 years
Female chimpanzees have got their sexual maturity at the age of 13 and after 13 they can give birth to children any time of the year.
Young chimps take a ride on their mother’s back till they reach 2 years old
Chimps share 98% DNA of human
They use various tools.
They play many activities like humans; hugging, kissing, holding the baby tight many more.
African Elephant
Facts, Uganda is one of the countries that boast a high concentration of herds of elephants. But in recent years they are reducing their number. However, precautions are taken by the government of the country to improve the situation. These introduced precautions have led to an increased number of elephants by 600%, What Are the Endangered Animal Species in Uganda?
Facts about the African Elephant;
The African elephant is known as the world’s largest land mammal
After a few species of great apes, elephants are said the most intelligent animals
The groups of elephants are led by the female elephant.
Elephants can eat diverse vegetation including grass, leaves, woody parts of trees and shrubs, flowers, and fruits.
An adult elephant weighs 150 kilograms of food a day. Which is 50 tons a year.
African Lion
African lions are nocturnal, with solitary behavior and designed-camouflaged coat, the striking leopards can be seen in many vegetation. These jungle cats can be seen in Uganda National Parks such as Kidepo Valley National Park, Murchison Falls Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Lake Mburo National Park.
Few Interesting facts about African Lions:
Lions are the most social cat groups living in groups called pride that comprises 15 individuals or even more.
Male lions take charge of protecting their territory females take the charge of hunting.
These kings of the jungle are threatened by habitat loss. The lion is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of threatened species.
Lion’s roar can be heard in 8 kilometers
Lions are said to run about the short distance at 50 mph and Jump as far as 36 feet.
An African lion can sleep up to 20 hours a day.
Leopard
The leopards are nocturnal species, with solitary behavior and well –camouflaged coat which live in various vegetation. In Uganda are commonly spotted in Kidepo Valley National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth Park, and Lake Mburo National Park. Their number is reducing due to poaching for their beautiful fur coats and body parts for medicines, What Are the Endangered Animal Species in Uganda?
Facts About Leopards;
The spots on the furs of leopards are named rosettes
Leopards are accounted among fast cats which can run up to 58km/h
These animal species are skilled climbers and can climb any kind of tree.
Female leopards give birth to 2 to 3 cubs once
Female leopards leave a different kind of scent rubbing themselves in trees as a sign of being ready for a mate.
Female leopards weigh around 62-100 pounds while male leopards weigh around 80-150 pounds.
African Wild Dog
These species are ongoing habitat fragmentation and are challenged by human activities. African wild dogs are the second most endangered carnivores in Uganda and there is a total of less than 550 wild dogs roaming in African countries. The main risk to their decrease is poaching;
Interesting facts about African dogs;
They usually live in packs of 6 to 20 numbers
Both males and females are good at babysitting
They communicate through various ways of vocalizations, movements, and touch.
They are one of the intelligent and cooperative hunters
African wild dogs’ ‘’scientific name’’ mean painted wolf.
In conclusion, these endangered species are truly spectacle tourist attractions of Uganda –Uganda Safaris. Those planning to visit Uganda Safaris in your next holiday can plan a visit to these endangered species by combining a visit to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park for Gorilla Trekking, Batwa visit, and a visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park for Game drive viewing /Lion tracking –tree climbing lions, boat cruise, chimpanzee tracking –trekking. You can choose to visit Murchison Falls National Park for –Game drive, hiking to the top of the world’s most powerful waterfall ‘’Murchison Falls’’,Shoe bill tracking, Birding, chimpanzee trekking, and sport fishing among others. Thus making it an unforgettable lifetime experience.
