Lion Monitoring in Uganda
One of the best things to do in Uganda is lion tracking, which gives visitors fantastic chance to get near to the lions in their natural environment unlike typical game drives. Driven in close view, it allows you to understand about their behavior, natural habitat, and feeding patterns. But competent and informed experts from the Uganda Carnivore Program oversee this amazing activity. To savor this amazing life adventure, one must be able to split from Lion tracking much money for your ticket.
Actually, only open in the northern section “Kasenyi plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park,” Queen Elizabeth National Park is the only national park in Uganda where lion tracking activities takes place. More importantly, the park is among the best national parks one might visit for these amazing African safaris. Found in western Uganda, it opened in 1952.
More importantly, the park features beautiful scenery including plains, crater, lakes, gorges, forest, and the Rwenzori Mountains in the distance over large savanna grasslands and woods. Among the over 95 mammals and more 600 species of birds found in the park are buffalos, leopards, lions, and elephants—among other animals to view. More importantly, Queen Elizabeth National Park lies five to six hours’ travel from the southwest of Uganda. Alternatively, a domestic flight by Aero link Uganda from Entebbe Airport will fly you to another airfield close by; Mweya airfield, Kasese or Ishasha “1hour landing.”
Lions are a major draw in the park since it is a lion conservation unit even though With about 250 of the biggest cats in both northern and southern regions, Queen Elizabeth National Park seems like.
Apart from the regular lions, Queen Elizabeth National Park also thrives with the highest uncommon tree climbing lion population worldwide. Ishasha sector in the southern part of the park is where one may most enjoy these tree climbing lions.
On afternoon wildlife drive, these tree climbing lions are most often seen sloppily clinging on big fig trees. Don’t forget to pack a decent camera for future memories.
Uganda Carnivore Program: Research Tours for Wildlife Conservation
The research section of the Uganda Wildlife Authority oversees the “UCP,” Uganda Carnivore Program. Originally called as the Uganda Large Predator Project, this program began in the 1990s.
Concerned about an epidemic “the canine distemper virus,” which was killing canines in Serengeti National Park, the Uganda Large Predators Projects started out to address predators in Uganda. After some investigation, it was discovered that the lions of Uganda were poisoned rather than dead from the distemper virus.
Decisions were taken constantly, including the initiative to track and investigate predator in the park. The initiative grew into other projects like community conservation. More partners arrived in support of the project for that reason, however subsequently the project changed its name to Uganda Carnivore Programs.
Features of the Uganda Carnivore Program;
Guard and track the predator movement.
They educate young scientists who assist in the relocation of park animals and provide recommendations that support government and international partners in deciding on important areas of financing and priorities.
International volunteers and student researchers interested in wildlife preservation are housed by this project.
Projects on Uganda Carnivore
Leading the Uganda Carnivore Project is Dr. Ludwig Siefert, who has worked with it since 1990. Along with being a professor in Makerere, this Dr. Ludwig also lectures at Makerere University and has made major contributions to wildlife study and conservation acting as the Direct of the project.
Dr. Ludwig has assisted with predator study in other parks of Uganda and helped to draw money for the project. And his senior staff assistant working on the project, James Kalyewa and Kenneth Mugyenyi Kalyewa keeps an eye on the predators every day while mugyenyi is community scout in charge of community outreach.
Arrangements for Lion Tracking at Queen Elizabeth National Park
Following an individual or group of lions helps one to better understand their behaviors, feeding patterns, and group dynamics in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
You must reserve ahead for your permit; one will be part of the Lion tracking experience.
For nonresidents each person daily, the experience comes at USD100; for East African Members and foreigners, it comes at UGX100,000 every person daily. Note; Among payments are extra USD 10. Permits can be obtained more conveniently through your tour agent or straight at the Mweya Information Centre.
The park authorities pay USD10 of each booking to the Uganda Carnivores projects; the payment does not cover park entrance. The activity lets only a small number of people take part.
For Lion tracking, there are three sessions a day; each session lasts two to three hours and takes early morning, afternoon, and night. Please be advised to be on time should you decide to attend one of the seminars. The chief tracker or researcher will briefed you on the day of the activity and you should expect a fantastic adventure of these rare lions.
The best place to see lions—along with the unusual tree climbing lions—Queen Elizabeth National Park Thanks to current developments in tracking technology, it is quite likely to find them without disappointment.
Eventually, help of park armed guides with a radio collar for simple location on the dominant lioness of a pride allows lion tracking. More fact: Lions often stray from the group to mark their territory. By allowing researchers to keep an eye on all the other lions, including Alpha’s men and pups, lionesses sticking with the main group help.
Researchers would rather have a collar placed on an aged but otherwise healthy lioness who is not pregnant. The moment is found, the lioness is rendered useless with a tranquilizer then had the collar around her neck. Fact: It takes two days for the lioness to adjust to the collar. As the collar is being installed, the researchers make sure it is comfy and loose so that monarchs of Jungle “cats” won’t get caught crossing over tall grass.
Every time the frequency is called up or dialed, a GPS system picks up the battery powered in collars to locate the precise movement of the lions. More factually, when the tracking equipment produces beeping noises with varying intensities close to the lions. Note: lions usually move if game is limited. Enough prey will range in area from 40 square kilometers. Then, in the region of food shortage, their territory can stretch up to 400 square kilometers.
By allowing researchers to monitor lion pride movement and determine whether communities living outside the park pose a threat, the radio collars help to Usually, the researchers tell the guests about their biology, habitats, and dangers while they track the lions. You will be able to find out about the 12-year lifespan of the lion and the female lions are the ones to search for food.
Male’s responsibility thereafter is to guard the family and ensure no outsiders enter their zone. On average, a lioness delivers three cubs.
Fact: Lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park differs in many respects from the standard game drives.
Vehicles follow assigned tracks during typical game drive.
Depending on where the lions are located, the driver of a lion tracking can drive off the main road and into the savannah. The driver shuts off the motor once the squad is close to the lions to prevent chasing away the prime of lions. If fortune favors you, you could find researcher gathering DNA, blood, urine, saliva, ticks and other lion samples following the tranquilizer application.
If you are lucky and see the entire pride, you will have a rare chance to see a lion family up close. Among the relaxing grownups, you will see the young people playing. Note; lions show their information of their location’s distress using different vocal signals.
Queen Elizabeth National Park Lions Other Information Regarding the Loins
Lions are terrestrial creatures.
Usually marking his area with holes made from his hinds’ legs, the dominant male either urinates near the main trees or rubs his mane on plants. These all leave his powerful scent to alert any invaders.
Usually two “often brothers,” dominant males lead lion prides.
Male lions have black manes significantly bigger than those of their female counterparts. Though less, lionesses control most of the group’s activities since they hunt most of it.
Though modest in stature, a lioness would battle off males to guard her cabs against any threat.
Apart from doing Lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park, there are other amazing events to mix with your visit to the park including; Chimpanzee tracking, Birding, Cultural encounter, Kazinga Boat tour, Hiking and nature walks, Visit the crater lakes among others. Alternatively mix your safari vacation package with Gorilla walking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or visit Masai Mara National Reserve to be able to participate in World’s great natural migration event of the wildebeest.
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