The Uganda Museum yesterday received an adult stuffed leopard from an animal which had been killed by a poacher, as a donation from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). UWA got the trophy on May 25 after officials intercepted the poacher in Luweero, as he tried to find buyers for the skin. He was allegedly asking for around sh300,000.

The killing of wild animals is an illegal act in Uganda. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Wild Flora and Fauna classes leopards in the most endangered category, and specifically cites poaching for fur as a major cause.

The International Union for the conservation of Nature also classes leopards as “on the verge of extinction”.

UWA’s Damian Akankwasa at the hand-over ceremony in Kamwokya explained that no action was being taken against the poacher, because he was cooperative with officials. Akankwasa, however, vowed to augment public consciousness about the laws surrounding killing animals.
He also added that if an animal is killed in self-defence, it is forgivable, though UWA should be informed.

By Namisi


Uganda safari News