Endangered Species to see in Uganda

Endangered Species to see in Uganda: Endangered species to see in Uganda. There are a number of endangered species to see in Uganda, for any traveler that visits Uganda on a Uganda safari tour. There are a number of critically endangered and endangered species in Uganda, ranging from the giant mountain gorillas in Uganda, to the rare shoebill stork. As you plan to visit Uganda, below are some of the endangered species to look out for whilst on a Uganda safari tour.

Mountain Gorillas

Mountain gorillas are endangered species that can be found in 2 Uganda national parks of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park only. Mountain gorillas up until 2018 were listed as critically endangered but due to the conservation efforts of various stakeholders across Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Encountering the mountain gorillas in Uganda on a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda is thus one of the most sought after Uganda safaris that travelers book. A Uganda gorilla permit is currently at 700$ per person per trek.

Chimpanzees

Chimpanzees are another endangered species to see in Uganda. There are over 5000 chimpanzees in Uganda, distributed in the various forested areas of Uganda. Chimpanzees in Uganda are best seen in Kibale national Park, Budongo Forest, Kalinzu Forest and Kyambura Gorge. Of all these, it is chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park that is most done by travelers who visit Uganda for chimpanzee trekking.

Rhinoceros

Rhinoceros shortened to rhinos, are highly endangered species of animals. Rhinoceros are a main target by poachers for their horn which is a sought after for ivory for jewellery making. Rhinos were widely distributed in Uganda previously especially in the northern part of Uganda. Black rhinos are very few in number, with about only 300 black rhinos in Uganda. Rhinos in Uganda can easily be seen in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where travelers can enjoy a rhino tracking experience in Uganda, giving them a chance to come up-close with the rhinos!

Rothschild Giraffes

The International Union for Conservation of Nature 9ICUN) has recently added the Rothschild giraffe in the list of endangered animals given the drastic decline in the population of the species. The main reason for the decline in the number of Rothschild giraffe is the loss of habitat.

Red Colobus Monkey

The Red colobus monkeys also known as the ashy red colobus has since 2001 been recognised as a distinct species of monkeys. The red colobus monkey can only be spotted in Uganda and Tanzania. The red colobus monkeys are reducing in number due to poachers and habitat loss, as well as being killed by chimpanzees in the parks that they share as a habitat.

Leopards

Leopards are few in number, and on top of that are very shy animals and nocturnal in nature; with this, spotting leopards whilst on a safari in Uganda is by chance! Leopards are however in the different Uganda national parks of Murchison Falls National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Lake Mburo National Park. Leopards are especially poached for their beautiful fur.

African Wild Dogs

Among the endangered species to see in Uganda also include the African wild dogs. Wild dogs in Uganda are very few in number, with the most population found in Selous Game Reserve of Tanzania now known as Nyerere National Park, and can also be found in Serengeti National Park Tanzania. African wild dogs in Uganda can be especially seen in Kidepo Valley National Park.

Lions

Lions are especially endangered in Uganda due to their killing by not only poachers but also settlers. Lion population in Uganda has decreased by 33% in the last 10 years alone. The communities in and around the parks, especially Queen Elizabeth National Park kill the lions quite often.

The above are some of the endangered species to see in Uganda whilst on a Uganda wildlife safari tour. other endangered species in Uganda include African elephants, birds like the Shoebill Stork, African White-backed Vulture, African Butter Catfish, African Gray Parrot among others, plant species like the African mahogany, Afrocarpus Dawei, Agriocnemis palaeforma, Albizia Ferruginea among others.

A lot of efforts however over the years been put in the protection and conservation of the various wildlife species in Uganda, both the flora and fauna. With this, a number of the then critically endangered species like mountain gorillas and rhinos have since been able to increase in population, that the ICUN in 2018 listed the mountain gorillas as just endangered, and not critically endangered. Conservation efforts of among others the Uganda Wildlife authority, the Government of Uganda, Gorilla Doctors among others have played significant roles to the protection and conservation of the nature and wildlife of Uganda.