8 top endangered animals in Uganda. Uganda is one of the most beautiful Africa safari destinations, and East Africa particularly that should you wish you to embark on an East Africa safari you should prioritise for one of the most authentic and unforgettable safari experiences. Uganda is a bio-diverse country that is ranked amongst the top 10, hosting a number of critically-endangered and endangered flora and fauna. Uganda is known as the Pearl of Africa as described by the then British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill during his visit.
Given the rich diversity of Uganda’s wildlife, many travelers visit Uganda on Uganda safaris every single year, to encounter the different animals in Uganda in their natural habitat. Among the various animals in Uganda, there are a number of them that are endangered. Most travelers then wish to visit on a safari in Uganda just to see one or more of the endangered animals in in Uganda. Mountain gorillas are the most sought after and are one of the 8 top endangered animals in Uganda, as well as chimpanzees; gorilla trekking in Uganda and chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park are among the most done tourist activities in Uganda. Apart from the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees though, there are other animals in Uganda that are considered endangered. Below are the 8 top endangered animals in Uganda;
Mountain Gorillas
Mountain gorillas are the top most endangered animal in Uganda, only recently removed from the critically endangered species list by the IUCN. Mountain gorillas are an iconic attraction in Uganda and are the most sought after by travelers on Uganda safaris all throughout the year. Mountain gorillas in Uganda can be found in the impenetrable forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Mountain gorillas were critically endangered up until 2018 thanks to the amazing conservation efforts of conservations like Gorilla Doctors, Dian Fossey Fund, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), among so many others.
Chimpanzees
Chimpanzees are among the 8 top endangered animals in Uganda that travelers can still see while on a Uganda safari. There are about 5000 chimpanzees in the different protected areas of Uganda including Kibale National Park, Kyambura Gorge, and Budongo Forest among others. Given that chimpanzees’ habitat which is forested areas is highly being encroached, as well as poaching for meat the chimpanzee population is decreasing quite fast.
Leopards
Leopards are nocturnal animals, solitary and yet some of the most beautiful Africa safari animals to look at. While leopards can be seen in the different Uganda national parks by keen Uganda safari guides akin to their craft, leopards are also one of the 8 top endangered animals in Uganda. Leopards in Uganda can be seen in Kidepo Valley National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Lake Manyara National Park. Leopards are highly poached for their fur, thus endangering their existence.
Rhinoceros
Rhinoceros, or rhinos as they are commonly known, re by far critically endangered animals that are on the verge of extinction; that is both the black and white rhinos. Only about 300 rhinos are in Uganda, a population much reduced due to predominately poaching. Rhinos are poached for their horn, which is used for expensive jewellery making. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is one of the best places to see rhinos and also up-close at that, on foot!
Red Colobus Monkeys
Red Colobus monkeys are a distinct species recognised in Uganda since 2001, and can be seen in a few protected areas of Uganda, as well as Tanzania. The population of Red Colobus Monkeys has dropped up to 89% mainly due to poaching but also killed by the chimpanzees.
African Wild Dogs
Due to human conflict and high infectious diseases, the population of African wild dogs is diminishing quite fast, with about 550 African Wild Dogs in the whole of Africa. Of this population very few can be seen in Uganda.
Lions
Lions in Uganda are considered endangered given their decreasing population. Due to human interruption of their habitat and killing by the people in the local communities; the population of lions in Uganda has decreased by 33% in the last 10 years alone. Conservation efforts are in place to resuscitate the lion population, say the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation.
Rothschild Giraffe
The Rothschild Giraffe is another of the 8 top endangered animals in Uganda, as added by the IUCN. The population of the Rothschild giraffe is highly deceasing, all attributed to loss of their habitat due to human encroachment.
The above are the 8 top endangered animals in Uganda that travelers van still encounter while on Uganda safaris, any time of the year. Get in touch with a reputable tour operator like Focus East Africa to help you organise amazing Uganda safari tours and get ti see the different 8 top endangered animals in Uganda, on different activities. Uganda gorilla safaris, chimpanzee trekking safaris, among others are a great way to start exploring the amazing wildlife in Uganda.
