Queen Elizabeth National park in Rubirizi district has today morning woken up to disturbing news after three lionesses were found dead.
The three are said to have initial indications being that they were electrocuted after having moved out of the gazetted area of the park in search of what to eat.
The Communications Officer for Uganda Wild Life Authority-UWA, Bashir Hangi confirmed this.
“The Lionesses were found dead on a private electric fence belonging to Irungu Forest Safari Lodge in Kigabu Village Katunguru, meters away from the National Park.” Hangi said adding on that they are yet to meet the management of the lodge over the matter.
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The LCI Chairperson Katunguru Cell, Kabagambe Gonzaga says they found the lionesses dead in the morning as they were heading to the gardens.
Last year, six Lions were found dead after being poisoned at Ishasha Sector in Kanungu district.
Government in 2019 started a project to install electric fences around all the national parks to try to prevent the wildlife from escaping into neighbouring communities to destroy crops and also boost the fight against poaching.
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In Queen Elizabeth, a 10-km solar-powered electric wire fence was erected. However, the death of the lionesses will raise concerns about the type of fencing that was used. Hangi said that they are investigating if the electric fence that was erected at the lodge was of high voltage.
These were part of the 10 lions that were brought into the park last month. One of the lionesses had a tracking collar fixed on its neck.
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