The Wildlife Ranger Challenge was a high-profile and sensitive event. Hosted deep in the wild at Murchison Falls National Park, with the finish line at Hippo Pool on the banks of the Nile, the environment itself presents risks. Wild animals, lions, buffaloes, elephants, hippos, roam freely, and across the river lie villages where some often attempt to cross into the park illegally. Add to this the presence of top government officials, heads of public and private organizations and businesses, ambassadors, and diplomats: we simply cannot afford an incident.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) law enforcement teams, supported by our UCF team in Murchison Falls, the park, especially the sector where the event was held were secured before, during, and after. The event ran smoothly, ended peacefully, and without a single incident.
Importantly, this heightened security did not interrupt the core mission of protecting wildlife. Early the very next morning, the UWA Veterinary team was already back in the field. Acting on a report from a tourist, they located a sub-adult lioness struggling to walk. The animal was emaciated, with wounds on both shoulders and unable to hunt. Led by our UCF Vet Dr. Crispus, the team immobilized the lioness, cleaned its wounds, administered long-acting antibiotics, painkillers, and anti-inflammatories, and collected blood and serum samples for further investigation.
The other half of the team was running a separate operation on the South bank which was led by Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC), with Dr. Victor and his team transporting animals into MFNP. MFNP’s vet team, with our UCF vet Dr. Nancy, provided technical guidance on where to release them and participated directly in the release process, ensuring both animal welfare and habitat integrity were prioritized.
These back-to-back efforts demonstrate the unwavering dedication of rangers, vets, and conservation partners. Whether securing people or safeguarding wildlife, the work never stops.
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