PARK MANAGEMENT ISSUES

Encroachment of cattle in Semliki ©WILDPLACESTRUST

One of the priority areas of the Semliki Valley Conservation Project is the improved management of the Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve. The management and conservation efforts will be conducted in partnership with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), the government body in charge of all of Uganda’s protected areas and wildlife. 

Funding for the Semliki Valley Conservation Project will support the current baseline management needs of the reserve as well as empower the Trust and UWA to improve the reserve infrastructure, protection measures and conservation efforts.  In addition, this portion of the project will include the application of unique conservation strategies to assist in the effort to preserve the area and its ecosystem.

Hippo poaching in Semliki ©WILDPLACESTRUST

Protection efforts will focus on the following: improved ranger training and mobility, the creation of ranger outposts and mobile ranger patrols, increased communication amongst the ranger force, regular controlled burns, improved monitoring of park borders and enhanced anti-poaching measures, including better prosecution of offenders. 

In addition to increased protection within the reserve, the Semliki Valley Conservation Project aims to improve wildlife monitoring techniques, encourage important species research and eventually oversee the reintroduction of key species that have been greatly reduced or are locally extinct in the reserve. 

Park management strategies

Short Term
•Increase size of ranger force
•Increase number of mobile and overnight patrols
•Establish additional ranger outposts
•Expand existing communication channels to coordinate ranger efforts
•Better equip rangers with the equipment and training to tackle challenges to TSWR conservation

Long Term
•Install wildlife fence along western and northern boundary
•Provide alternate road to Lake Albert and close off current Karugutu-Ntoroko road
•Establish capacity to monitor all traffic through the reserve
•Maintain conservation status of designated Community Wildlife Areas along the boundary