KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda’s rich biodiversity is facing an unprecedented crisis, with a staggering 76% decline in wildlife populations over the past five decades.
The World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) Living Planet Report reveals that iconic species such as lions, elephants, and buffaloes are disappearing at an alarming rate. Habitat destruction, climate change, and human-wildlife conflict are major drivers of this decline.
“This is not just about wildlife; it’s about our economy, our well-being, and our very existence,” warned Sam Mwandha, Executive Director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
WWF Uganda Country Director Ivan Tumuhimbise emphasized the urgent need for collective action. Uganda’s natural treasures, including the iconic mountain gorillas, are facing unprecedented threats. “We are at a critical juncture where we must choose between preserving our natural heritage or losing it forever,” he stressed.
Tumuhimbise also highlighted the importance of community-led conservation efforts. “By empowering local communities to take ownership of conservation, we can create a sustainable future for both people and wildlife. It’s time to rethink our relationship with nature and prioritize its protection.”
Harold Turinawe, Forest Markets Transformation Manager at WWF Uganda, stressed the importance of inclusive solutions. “Uganda’s path to recovery requires equitable solutions that leave no one behind,” he said. Turinawe also noted that changing consumption habits and adopting renewable energy solutions are crucial to mitigating the wildlife decline.
The study points to habitat loss or degradation, overexploitation, climate change, pollution and diseases among the highest causes of decline in wild and aquatic life.
“Common changes in use are caused by unsustainable agriculture, logging, transportation, residential or commercial development, energy production and mining. For freshwater habitats, fragmentation of rivers and streams and abstraction of water are common threats. Marine habitats can be impacted by both activity on land, for example coastal development, and at sea, such as bottom trawling or dredging which can damage seabed habitats,” the study says.
“As temperatures change, some species will need to adapt by shifting their range to track a suitable climate. The effects of climate change on species are often indirect. Changes in temperatures can confound signals that trigger seasonal events such as migration and reproduction, causing these events to happen at the wrong time. For example, misaligning reproduction and the period of greater food availability in a specific habitat.”
The report shows a 73% decline in global wildlife populations since 1970, with freshwater species experiencing an 85% decline. Experts urge immediate action to address habitat degradation, climate change, and human-wildlife conflict.