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Kidepo Valley National Park is home to 132 lions (WCS, 2010), the third largest population in Uganda. Local UWA staff and tourism operators have reported sightings of sick lions – once majestic big cats are emaciated, dull-eyed and have mysterious swellings.
As a Protected Area, Kidepo is extremely isolated yet does not have a dedicated veterinary capability. Instead it relies upon the goodwill of the Murchison Falls NP team – a day’s drive away and subject to the demands of the wildlife in their own park.
These are our objectives:
1. An emergency veterinary intervention with UWA and international vets to take samples of Kidepo lions and analyse them to assess the threat.
2. An action plan to set short and long term strategies for tackling the crisis.
3. Improved local veterinary capability in Kidepo to support protection of these and other endangered species, via creation of a dedicated Vet Response Unit.
All campaign images copyright Sim Davis (@simdavisphoto).