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Mudumba, T.; Jingo, S.
Murchison Falls National Park Lion Monitoring Project Report
2013  Full Book

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) carnivore research team, in partnership with Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has been monitoring lions on the northern bank of Murchison Falls National Park (MFNP) since 2010. This followed a national census of lions and hyenas in Uganda in the three largest carnivore habitats; Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP), Kidepo Valley National Park (KVNP) and Murchison Falls National Park between November 2008 and November 2009 (Mudumba, Okot et al. 2009). The results of the survey showed that the population of lions in Uganda had declined by at least 30% in less than 10 years with the largest decrease of 40% (from 324 in 2002 to 132 individuals in 2009) registered in MFNP. At the same time, after the discovery of commercially viable quantities of inside the park; oil exploration in preparation for extraction was starting. Therefore, this study is to generate baseline data about the lions of MFNP and why the population has declined and also use lions as flagship species and monitor how oil exploration and extraction will impact the local fauna. This study is equally important because it is the first time that an investigation is being done of lion ecology under oil mining activities. This report is for a period of over 35 months starting Oct 2010 to Nov 2013. We have collared 7 individuals (3 males & 4 females from 4 prides) and also used individual recognition using whisker spots, scars and natural ear tears from sightings and photographs to collected data on; demography, movement and distribution. We also recorded the position and cause of death of all carcases found in the study. See appendix 1 for detailed data sheet. As more data are being collected from the radio-collared animals, this report serves in many ways as a preliminary analysis that will help guide the study in the future, as well as help advice in an adaptive way the management of MFNP of potential impacts of oil exploration activities within the park. It will inevitably guide decision makers on how best to extract oil bearing in mind the likely effect on wildlife

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