By Baluku Alex
District leaders have called for more breeding centres for endangered species in the country to prevent their extinction.
The call was made during a meeting organized by Uganda Wildlife Authority – UWA for leaders from districts that make up Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area.
Districts found within the Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area include, Kasese, Rubirizi, Kabarole, Bunyangabu, Bushenyi, Mitooma and Rukungiri among others. The area is so important because it contains Queen Elizabeth national park, Rwenzori Mountains National park, Kigezi and Kyambura wildlife reserves, which are important for tourism in the country.
During a meeting held in Fort Portal Tourism City, they noted that several wild animals and plants are on the verge of extinction due to poaching and other threats to wildlife. They cited examples of the Northern White Rhinos, Eastern Black Rhinos, and Cycads, three-horned chameleons, tree-climbing lions and elephants, among others.
The UWA Deputy Director Community Conservation, George Owoyesigyire argued that even when the mandate of breeding endangered species is with Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre- UWEC, other centres can also be established in the country.
The Ntoroko Resident District Commissioner, Mesach Kawamara, said other than having more wildlife breeding centres, there is also a need for more sensitization of the public on the importance of wildlife conservation.
