Four people have been arrested in connection with the death of six lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
A statement by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) says that Ampurira Brian 26 years, Tumuhire Vincent 49 years, Aliyo Robert 40 years and Miliango Davi 68 years were arrested Monday night during a joint operation mounted by UWA, UPDF and Police in Kyenyabutongo village, Rusoroza Parish, Kihihi Sub County, Kanungu District.
“Today at day break, the suspects took the security team to a location where 3 head of lions were found hidden in a tree and the fourth one was buried with 15 legs under the same tree. The suspects said they dropped one leg in the park.
Three bottles containing chemical commonly known as Furadan and a two litter jerry can of lion fat oil were recovered in a banana plantation. Two spears, one panga and one hunting net were found hidden in a garden at the home of Tumuhire Vincent,” the statement released Tuesday reads in part.
“The carcases of the lions were discovered at Ishasha sector in evening of Friday March 19, 2021 and we launched investigations into the matter. On Monday evening we received credible information about the people suspected to be behind the killing of the lions and acting on the same, a joint operation by UPDF, Police and UWA was conducted leading to the arrest of the four suspects. The suspects will be arraigned in the courts of law.
We applaud the security agencies that joined the operation to hunt the people behind the death of our lions and the leadership of Kanungu district for the support extended to the security teams,” the statement adds.
Irene Mwoyogwona: Beyond the Numbers – How Pride Bank's Award-Winning CFO Combines Profitability and Social Impact“We assure the public that we shall continue to strengthen the protection of lions and other wildlife in Uganda and will pursue this case until justice for the dead lions is served. Our national parks remain safe and attractive to visitors and we still have lions in Queen Elizabeth and other parks.”
Over the weekend, UWA had released another statement over the death of the tree climbing lions of Ishasha, are a unique attraction and a highlight especially for visitors transiting between Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to see the mountain gorillas.
“Uganda Wildlife Authority is saddened to announce the death of six lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The carcasses of the lions were found last evening at Ishasha sector with most of their body parts missing. Eight dead vultures were also found at the scene which points to possible poisoning of the lions by unknown people,” the Saturday statement read in part.
This is not the first time lions are being killed in Queen Elizabeth National Park ; in March 2018, 11 lions were killed in the same park.
