Uganda; The World's Finest Destination for Bird-Watching

"Some birds are not meant to be caged, that's all. Their feathers are too bright, their songs too sweet and wild." Stephen King in his book: A story from Different Seasons.

Birds are some of the most fascinating creatures on the face of the earth. Though we may spot some around our home yard, forests remain the biggest home comforting multiplicity of some of the world's spectacular birds. The number of bird species is estimated at around 18,000 for the entire world.

Presenting in multiple shades of feather coloration, the incredible beauty of birds reveal to us the sacred richness of nature. Have you ever imagined this, that despite being removed from the hunter-gatherer lifestyle, the human soul's affinity for nature seems untamed? And that wild tours, hiking, bird-watching, hunting, and backpacking are still the most envied and enjoyed mind replenishing outdoor activities treasured worldwide by humans of all races?

Nature has countless of beautiful treasures. Birds are some of the epitomes. Bird-watching is one incredible way we re-connect with nature to gain back the peace of heart and mind.

Birds are well spread globally. But Uganda continues to attract huge number of ecotourists exposing the beautiful nation as one of the topnotch destinations for bird lovers. Her matchless richness in bird species and very hospitable people seems to be the enduring secret. Uganda Tourism Center estimates the number of bird species to be around 1,061 in Uganda. Recently, Uganda was named the friendliest country in the world following research conducted among expatriates globally.

Birds like Doherty's Bushshrike, African Green Broadbill, Saddle-billed, and Great Blue Turaco among other breathtakingly beautiful birds continue to sustain Uganda as the world's most charming destination for bird-watching.

Topmost popular birding places in Uganda include Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Bwindi Impentrable National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Written by Abet Tonny, an experienced Science Writer in Uganda.

Tonny enjoys wild tours, meeting new people and photography

Oil Exploitation Activities Shrinking Wildlife Diversity in Murchison Park, New Research

Recently; Tourists crossing Murchison Falls

By Abet Tonny

“Observed animals’ reactions included avoidance, migration and a few cases of death," reads the major findings of the research continuing that only some limited number of animals on very rare occasions was sighted near sites where oil wells have been drilled, suggesting that oil and gas exploration created unsuitable conditions in their natural habitat. 

The concern about the possible environmental impacts of the oil exploration and drilling activities taking place in the Albertine region of Uganda has been high among environmental scientists and naturalists from near and far. The interest being inspired by lessons from other countries where oil and gas exploitation has and is ongoing. Logically, the blessing of oil extraction often comes with sizable damage to the natural environment due to its invasiveness on land, forests and multitudes of inhabiting wild organisms like the guerrillas, antelopes and birds.

In 2018, three experienced Ugandan scientists: Pius Mbuyo and Lavine Awino with Elizabeth Diamond Kamara as the Lead researcher rolled out to discover the true reality. They were in for a quest to understand the impacts of oil and gas exploration on wildlife in the Albertine Rift species diversity hotspots within Murchison Falls National Park.

The data collection involved both direct observation at four different sites which were approximately 4 km apart and use of interview techniques to unveil the realities. According to the report, 140 respondents were interviewed. Their intriguing findings were recently published in a research report in the African Journal of Environment and Natural Science Research. 

Major highlights from the report

The largest portion of the locals interviewed -57%, were concerned that the visibly of wild animals reduced drastically during and after oil exploration. However, the other 35% of the respondents were rather happy that after the oil exploration and onset of drilling, some more animals have been attracted to the area thus raising the numbers of different animal species higher above the previous.

In their conclusion, “Maintaining the Conservation & Tourism Value of Protected Areas in Petroleum Development Zones of the Albertine Rift should be treated with great importance,” the scientists emphasized.

The oil and gas exploration in Uganda has reached the production phase. Yet it should be appreciated that the event is operational in an ecologically sensitive and biodiversity hotspot area -the Albertine Rift which houses the precious Murchison Falls National Park (MFNP).

A previous survey by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) showed that MFNP is one of the richest in species diversity of great economic importance. Of the valuable animal, bird, and species in MFNP, there are a number of them about to go extinct.

The last year 2018, the Uganda Bureau of Statistics revealed that Uganda received 1.8 million tourists in 2018, up from 1.4 million in 2017. In 2017, the 1.4 million arrivals injected about $1.4billion into the economy. Additionally, the sector contributes at least 592,500 jobs to the country’s nationals. Conservation and preservation of nature are the primary tools to guarantee the future of the tourism industry.

Naturalists, however, argue that the importance of nature should be viewed beyond the limited angle of economic return or tourism; but that the preservation of nature is a moral obligation that one generation secures the species diversity for the forthcoming one. But whether some activities of the ongoing lucrative oil and gas business should be limited for the sake of wild animals and plants is the never-ending debate issue.