As the World is in high gears preparing to celebrate the World Wildlife Day on 3rd March 2018, Uganda is not left out because several activities (including the World Wildlife Marathon) are being organized for the same cause. It is undeniable that Wildlife species have always been the signature tourism product or the number one attractions the country offers to tourists who visit the country.
It was on 20th December 2013 at the 68th session that the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) revealed the 3rd of March every year as the day of signature of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of Wild animals and plants as the United Nations World Wildlife Day (proposed by Thailand) to honor and raise awareness of the World’s wild plants and animals.
As earlier mentioned, a number of activities are expected to be conducted for the whole week from 25th February to 3rd March and these include a Marathon (on the 25th February 2018 at the Uganda Museum), the public lecture (hosted by the Wildlife Conservation Society on 26th February 2018), exhibitions, a school quiz, and will be climaxed on the 3rd March at the Uganda Wildlife Research and Training Institute within Katwe-Kabatooro Town Council situated in Kasese District, western Uganda. The Town is a home to the renowned Queen Elizabeth National Park but most importantly is a Wildlife Paradise.
Every year is different and this time you should expect something extraordinary. Notably, a different theme is chosen for every year’s celebration and this year (2018), it will be celebrated under the Global theme of “Big Cats – Predators under Threat” but the National Theme for this celebration is “Creating a safe environment for the survival of Uganda’s big cats and will be presided by the President of the Republic of Uganda, His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. In addition to that, several dignitaries, personalities, nature-based operators, conservationists as well as individuals affected by the big cats will attend the celebration. Not only that, individuals that have made tremendous contributions to the country’s wildlife Conservation will be recognized and rewarded during the event.
The 2018 Global celebrations is aimed at raising awareness about the significance of protecting the World’s endangered Wildlife species, especially the big cats that include snow leopards (Panthera uncia), Clouded leopards (Neofelis nebulosa), Puma (Puma concolor), tigers (Panthera tigris), jaguar (Panthera onca), lion (Panthera leo), leopards (Panthera pardus) and cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) with only the last three found in Uganda.
This year’s Wildlife Day also offers the opportunity of raising awareness about the plight of big cats and awakening support for the numerous national and global actions that are underway in progress to save these majestic predators. Therefore through this event, the animals will trigger the attention they are entitled to so that we are sure of their existence for generations.
Interestingly, these big cats are one of the most majestic, treasured and widely recognized animals across the World but these charming predators are currently facing numerous threats that are mainly attributed to human activities. So far, their overall populations are dwindling at a high rate, mainly due to the loss of their natural habitats and prey, poaching and illegal trade not leaving out the human-predator conflicts they encounter. For instance, the population of African lions has dropped by 40% in the last 20 years which is very worrying because if conservation efforts are not increased, they will eventually become extinct thus affecting the tourism industry (because many tourists are drawn to the African Continent by the Lions).
Due to the numerous threats, there is need for personal, National and International actions to ensure the continued survival of all the big cat species, hence the challenges resulting from human activities have to be solved by people themselves. Generally, Uganda is a biodiversity hot spot and an endowed tourist destination with over 10 National Parks and about 12 Wildlife Reserves that offer shelter to World Class wildlife species such as big five animals (Rhinos, leopards, lions, Buffaloes and elephants), the critically endangered mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, antelopes and others in addition to over 1060 species of birds (representing about 10% of the World species and about 50% of Africa’s bird species) hence making it one of the best safari destinations in the African Continent and beyond.
It should be noted that Uganda’s Wildlife population like elephants have continuously improved over the years whereas many of the same species globally have continued to reduce, hence according to Dr. Andrew Seguya, Uganda Wildlife Authority’s Executive Director, it is a milestone that is mainly attributed to the enhanced conservation Practices of Ugandans.
On the other hand, the Theme for 2017 World Wildlife Day was “listen to the young voices” given the fact that about one quarter of World’s population is aged between 10 and 24 years thus need to encourage them to be future leaders and good decision makers of the World to act at both local and global levels in Protecting the endangered Wildlife species.
In conclusion, Uganda will join the rest of the World on 3rd March 2018 in commemorating the World Wildlife Day under the National theme of “Creating a safe environment for the survival of Uganda’s big cats”. These predators are facing threats thus need for taking personal, national and International actions to ensure their survival for generations.