Update on the 2024 Kyambura Lion Census in Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area

Background

Since 2022, Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust (VSPT) has been working in partnership with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to implement an annual African lion and large carnivore survey in Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area (QECA), Uganda.

The project objectives are:

1)  to establish strong scientific estimates of a unique tree-climbing population of African lions residing in the QECA;

2) to build the scientific capacity, provide expertise and support UWA in carnivore monitoring in Uganda;

3) to improve the livelihoods of local people living around QECA; and

4) to collaborate with UWA and other conservation stakeholders to mitigate the human-wildlife conflict and assist in wildlife incidences.

Lion Recovery Fund

VSPT is honoured to announce that the 2024 lion census in Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area was sponsored by the Lion Recovery Fund. VSPT is honoured to report that the Lion Recovery Fund sponsored the 2024 lion census in the Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area. This grant has enabled the census to continue for a third year and supported the project in their work to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts.

2024 Survey - progress to date 

The 2024 lion census began on the 15 August and is planned to finish on the 15 November, lasting for 93 days. During the census, the team covered approximately 10,000km of driving within the Queen Elizabeth Conservation in search of lions.

Field observations 

• The 6 remaining cubs born to lionesses River and Flo, have been reported to be in excellent health.
• The Kyambura Lion Monitoring Team recently assisted with collaring two lions, Nkore and Kazi, within the park, thanks to collar donations from the Uganda Conservation Foundation.
• The team have worked actively with lioness Larissa and her cubs to guide her away from one of the villages in the park.
• Julia, Hope and Papa Aibo were sighted during the census in Ishasha.

Capacity Building

As part of the 2024 survey, project field coordinators Orin Cornille and Bosco Autkwatse trained local community members and several UWA Rangers in scientific lion monitoring practices. Caroline Kyarimpa, a trainee in the Kyambura Youth Trainee Program from April to June 2024, was offered a full-time role with VSPT as a wildlife guide upon completion of her training. She has now joined the team for a section of the census to expand her knowledge of the Kyambura Lion Monitoring Project and monitoring processes.

Andrew Kato and Johnson Muhereza are regular trainees of the project and also partook in the census to assist Orin and Bosco in the collection of data and taking identifications of the lions.