By the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC), confined conditions, as opposed to a free environment, conservationists have opposed the planned lion breeding program.
“The government agencies should prioritise protection of the lions “in their natural habitats rather than breeding them in captivity.” a global animal welfare charity World Animal Protection based in UK says.
The Parliamentary Committee on Trade and Tourism justified the request by UWEC for 10 billion shillings to set up lion breeding facilities in three selected National Game Parks earlier this week.
What made conservationist oppose the program?
Despite the fact that conservationists complete work to protect, manage and enhance the local environment, they felt that If the plans of UWEC are implemented then the following will affect lions negatively.
- the animal’s freedom.
- Increase their anxiety.
- Lead to poor quality.
After MP Mwine Mpaka, the Committee Chairperson indicated to the Budget Committee, they would be confined in places within the parks before being released in controlled numbers.
MP Mwine Mpaka says that It is basically like a cage within a national park, so they will be monitored and treated to create a conducive environment for them to breed and survive to increase the population because we are losing several lions every year due to the human-wildlife conflict, electric fences, poisoning. So, we need to bring these lions back to our game parks.
Despite the fact that World Animal Protection charity acknowledges the importance of increasing the country’s lion populations and preserving biodiversity, they said that cage lion breeding has “failed terribly” in other African countries like South Africa which are said to be currently phasing it out.
The organization emphasizes that lions are wild animals that belong in their natural habitats, cautioning that breeding and hand-feeding them in cages leads to potential stress, health issues, and a compromised quality of life for the animals.
“The lions are wild animals that belong in their natural habitats, cautioning that breeding and hand-feeding them in cages leads to potential stress, health issues, and a compromised quality of life for the animals. “the charity organization continuously said that
There is also fear that this system could have negative impacts like increasing conflicts between lions and humans, poaching, and trafficking, leading to an irreversible imbalance in the ecosystem.
“UWEC to adopt conservation practices that prioritize the welfare of animals and their preservation in their natural habitat, which is the wild.” Edith Kabesiime, a campaign manager at World Animal Protection urges.
She continuously says that the government should redirect its efforts and resources towards comprehensive wildlife protection strategies that address the root causes of the decline in lion populations, such as habitat loss, limited prey, poaching, and human-wildlife conflicts.
“Breeding lions in captivity do not address the core issues threatening “these majestic beings”. She added.
She says that the government must invest in sustainable wildlife protection initiatives that prioritize the protection of lions in their natural habitats to ensure lions live and breed naturally in the wild, rather than pursuing potentially harmful cage breeding programs that may not be sustainable in the long run.
“The Government was prompted to come up with this strategy after recording a drop in lion population, from 460 in 2022 to about 310.” Mwine Mpaka said.
On maturity if Parliament grants this request, it expected that per year the project could start releasing 15 lions into the wild.
The organization has invited the government for a constructive dialogue to explore alternative and appropriate approaches aligned with international best practices and ethical standards.
“Working collaboratively with governments, organizations, and communities across Africa to find humane and effective solutions for wildlife protection.” the organization says it is committed.
Mwine says that currently, there are 15 lions at UWEC which we have been breeding, but the lion population in the country has gone down because of human-wildlife conflict.
He continuously said that they now have 15 lions at UWEC which we have been breeding, but the lion population in the country has gone down because of human-wildlife conflict. They are now going to start breeding them in the wild in Queen Elizabeth, Kidepo, and Murchison Falls National Parks
