“Clarence” the story Continues

I first became aware of this on-going battle that epitomises the human animal conflict that silently exists in almost every conservation area around the globe when I heard the story of Clarence. Now an aging male lion “Clarence” has had his share of hardships but defied all odds in what can only be described as one of the most inspiring tales I have come across in Africa.

Bernie and Clarence in happier days

Since that update, now a year ago, we kept our eye on this amazing lion to see how the story unfolds and wanted to once again share this story on the brink of world lion day that will be celebrated globally on the 10th of August 2014.

In Uganda a country that can only be described as a microcosm of Africa where you encounter active volcanoes, deserts, amazing jungles, huge lakes and sprawling grassland savannahs I also stumbled onto an almost unbelievable story of survival against all odds!

Buffalo in Murchison falls national park by Corne Schalkwyk 

Visitors to the Murchison Falls National Park will be awed, inspired but also saddened by their encounters of the resident lion prides of this truly wild and amazing park in the great lakes region of Eastern Africa.

Boat Safari on the White Nile in Murchison Falls National park by Corne Schalkwyk 

 Clarence also referred to as "butcher-man" by the locals in reference to a Ugandan reggae singer that has a similar limp  in coalition with his brother fondly referred to as Bernie by the guides ruled the park for many years ruthlessly dispatching upcoming rivals, even killing the male of a rival pride in the area before disaster struck the brothers in 2011. Clarence got caught in a poacher’s snare that left him with a life-threatening injury on its hind leg. The kings, of the well-known six-member pride, had been limping in pain following the snare incident that led to a fracture in the limb. The field staff of Uganda wildlife authority (UWA) had observed that the fracture was evident and very serious, as the lower limb was hanging and only held by a small ligament.

UWA took the courageous yet unusual decision to intervene as part of their fight against the on-going losses due to poaching in the park. Dr Atimnedi in an effort to save Clarence performed the first amputation on a wild lion in the park removing the lower part of him leg in a procedure that lasted approximately an hour. This led to the start of an unparalleled survival story of a very unusual pride of lions.  This saga led me to take a keen interest in these lions that showed an incredible will to survive and adapt against all odds. 

Not only did “Bernie” take over the leadership from his once more dominant brother, he also showed incredible compassion not often documented in male lions, by supporting and hunting for his now vulnerable disabled brother.  The females in the pride adjusted to this new very unique dynamic and ensured the survival of the pride.

Bernie - photo by Sharmina Haq

 Other lions in the park suffered a similar fate in the never ending human conflict but showed the same resilience. One female was trapped in a particularly nasty device referred to as a wheel trap and had to undergo an amputation in order to save her life. A second lion from the same pride was caught in a wire snare and was able to free herself and healed but shows signs of impairment due to the injuries.

Wako with a snare around her leg

Both Pamela (the female with the amputated limb) and Wako (snare victim) survived and is still regularly encountered in the park. 

Pamela (the female with the amputated limb) 

The good news came when one of Premier Safari’s tour operators visited the park recently and encountered Clarence “the 3 legged lion of Murchison’s” as he is now known amongst the visitors. Not only was he healthy and moving around with the pride, he was actually mating and ensuring the enduring spirit of this special pride lives on to write the next chapter of this very special groups of lions. We can all learn a lot about hardship and an incredible will to survive from these lions. Against all odds the pride survives proving once again “Africa is not for the weak at hart”.

 Sadly in 2013, Bernie was also caught in another snare and eventually died of suffocation. Once agian the future of Clarence and the pride looked bleak. We waited in anticipation to see if Clarence would be able to survive without the help of his brother and protector.  

Clarence in 2014

We were once again, stunned and surprised to recently find Clarence not only alive and well, but feeding on a buffalo carcass. This really is the lion that could and will survive against any odds Africa troughs at him. 

The problem remains in Murchison’s Falls National Park: 

Poaching remains a major challenge in Murchison Falls, Uganda's largest national park, according to the Conservation Area Manager.

Some of the poachers are armed, while others use wire snares that either kill the targeted animals or injure other game indiscriminately. The park also accounts for the largest remaining population of Rothschild Giraffe (approximately 75% of the remaining giraffe of this sub-specie can be found in the park)   

What is being done? 

The Wildlife conservation society together with Uganda Wildlife Authority and other role-players such as Uganda Conservation Foundation and Marasa Africa lodges in Uganda are involved in a concerted effort to conserve and ensure the future of this majestic wildlife area to ensure that future visitors can experience the wildlife of this park. 

Most recent campaign:  (This campaign will be repeated in 2014)   

 Marasa Africa, a member of the Madhvani Group of Companies, one of the largest private-sector groups in East Africa, joined Uganda Conservation Foundation in supporting and creating awareness through their marketing efforts of World Lion Day that took place on the 10^th of August 2013, a day that was celebrated around the world to call attention to the endangerment of the King of Beasts.  On the day, the Marasa properties in Uganda – Chobe Safari Lodge; Paraa Safari Lodge and Mweya Safari Lodge, also donated $1.00 for each room night at their lodges to the UCF to ensure conservation through Action programmes that provide practical support to revitalise and protect natural habitats, biodiversity and also helps protect lions in the national parks from poachers. This will also benefit the vulnerable tree climbing lions in ishasha -guests of the lodges were also informed and invited to donate to the UCF.

With Ugandan marine ranger posts at both Semanya and at Paraa, the UCF is able to specifically target snare-setting lion poachers who come across Lake Albert. UCF director Patrick Shah says “Our continuing program of building land and marine ranger posts in Murchison Falls Conservation Area will further reinforce our efforts and have a direct effect on lion welfare.”

The 2014 campaign :http://www.atta.travel/member/1790/marasa-africa/news/4415/worldlionday---august-10th-2014-3-days-to-go  

Travel to Uganda:  

Premier Safaris in Uganda - Lion conservation trips 

Below is some links to the role players in Uganda, experience the pearl of Africa with informed experienced partners. Uganda needs to be added to your “bucket list” if it’s not already there. Where else will you meet the largest remaining population of the endangered population of mountain gorillas, followed by a adventurous water safari down the white Nile.  

       Marasa Africa lodges  - www.marasa.net

·         Premier Safaris – East Africa Travel provider – www.premiersafaris.com

Conservation support in Uganda

·         Uganda Wildlife Authority – http://www.ugandawildlife.org/

·         Uganda Conservation Foundation - http://www.ugandacf.org/

·         Giraffe conservation Foundation - http://www.giraffeconservation.org/

·         Wildlife conservation society - http://www.wcs.org/where-we-work/africa/uganda.aspx

Rothschild giraffe research kicks off in Uganda

Murchison’s Falls National park at the centre of new Rothschild giraffe research effort

A new research project is being launched in Uganda’s Murchison Falls National Park to research, document and perform genetic analysis on the Rothschild’s giraffe, the tallest creature on earth, dapper in white knee socks (no spotting on the lower leg), and notable for its grace, winsomeness and beautiful patterning. Of the nine recognized giraffe sub-species, the Rothschild’s is one of the most imperilled, with fewer than 1100 individuals remaining in the wild. It has been declared an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and as being of high conservation priority. Murchison Falls National Park is home to the last endemic population of this once abundant animal, all other surviving populations have been reintroduced, and often in areas where they never were originally.

The project is spearheaded by the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) and will be led by their conservation scientist Dr. Julian Fennessy, a Namibia-based Australian who is also Co-Chair of the IUCN SSC Giraffe and Okapi Specialist Group (GOSG), and fellow GCF trustees and researchers Andy Tutchings, a Germany-based British national and Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society, and Stephanie Fennessy, a Namibia-based German, both also members of the GOSG. Working closely with the Ugandan Wildlife Authority, the team’s local-based researcher will be Henry Opio from the Ugandan Wildlife Education Centre.

Despite low population figures and its endangered status, little is known about the Rothschild’s giraffe in the wild, an issue that must be addressed to develop and implement effective conservation strategies. To this end, the Project seeks to provide the first scientific review of the Rothschild’s ecology, behaviour and habitat requirements in Uganda; essential information for the development and implementation of meaningful conservation initiatives. These include the provision of technical support and funding, data sharing and results for a comprehensive approach to giraffe conservation.

The group will be hosted by Marasa Africa at their Paraa Safari Lodge located near the Nile crossing inside the Murchison Falls National Park. Located high on the river bank the lodge overlooks one of nature’s best kept secrets, the River Nile, on its journey from its source at Lake Victoria to join Lake Albert. It is inside the park where it is suddenly channelled into a gorge only six meters wide, and cascades down the rocks into a white water inferno 48 meters below. When standing on top of the falls the earth literally trembles as one is only a few feet away from one of the world’s most powerful flows of water.

 

For the last stage of the initial data collection the research team will move to the Chobe Safari Lodge widely known in Uganda for its Giraffe sightings close to the lodge. Located in the Murchison Falls National Park, this Five Star lodge is undoubtedly the gem in Uganda's crown of tourism destinations. The breath-taking panoramic views, coupled with the sounds of the River Nile's magnificent rapids, sets the scene for an adventure that will impress even the most discerning of visitors.

Chobe Safari Lodge offers a unique opportunity to sample the wildlife, birds, flora and fauna; all in an area of the park that has yet to be discovered. This area of Murchison Falls National Park is ideal for fishing, and will revive this newly refurbished lodge to become one of the best fishing destinations in Africa.

Information regarding the project from Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF)

http://www.giraffeconservation.org/index.php

Once free ranging across western Kenya, southern Sudan and Uganda, the Rothschild’s giraffe has been almost totally eliminated from much of its former range. Despite the low and steadily declining figures across all Rothschild’s giraffe populations, there has never been any scientific study of the Rothschild’s giraffe in Uganda and its natural range – even though this (sub)species is heavily represented in captivity internationally. In Kenya, all known wild populations of Rothschild’s giraffe have been extirpated by agricultural development with remnant populations now confined to national parks, private reserves and other protected areas where they have been trans located. These remaining populations are isolated from one another and unable to interbreeding.

The vulnerability of the Rothschild’s giraffe is highlighted by recent phylogenetic studies. There is considerable uncertainty surrounding the geographic and taxonomic limits of giraffe (sub)species, but it has preliminarily determined that G. c. rothschildi is separate and distinct from other giraffe (sub)species, having split from other giraffe around 0.27 million years ago. The Rothschild’s giraffe therefore represents a unique genetic lineage that should be afforded the highest priority for conservation of giraffe biodiversity, in particular the only natural and viable population in Murchison Falls National Park.

The programme will begin in the field in August 2013 although considerable desktop research and development has already begun. It aims to establish a long-term research initiative in Uganda coordinated by local Ugandan researchers in collaboration with the Uganda Wildlife Authority and GCF:

·         To develop the first long-term research initiative on the only natural and viable Rothschild’s giraffe population.

·         To provide the first ever scientific review and country-wide status assessment of Rothschild’s giraffe in Uganda.

·         To collect giraffe DNA material for on-going genetic analysis and research of the giraffe species.

To identify the key ecological requirements of the Rothschild’s giraffe in Murchison Falls National Park so that new areas can be identified as recommendations for future translocation and establishment of new populations.

To provide scientific input and support to the development of a national conservation strategy for Rothschild’s giraffe in Uganda in collaboration with the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

For more information on the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF), go to: www.giraffeconservation.org . For information about Marasa Africa or reservations at Paraa Safari Lodge or Chobe Safari Lodge, contact www.premiersafaris.com or go to their website at www.marasa.net

If you’re interested in arranging a Safari to the region contact resevartions@premiersafaris.com

Hear Us Roar – 10th August 2013

“I was not the lion, but it fell upon me to give the lion’s roar” Winston Churchill, politician, 1874-1965

 

Photo by Patti Baker Trottier

Guarding our temples, adorning our flags, decorating our coins and capturing our hearts, the lion is beyond doubt the world’s most iconic species.  On almost every continent, and in thousands of cultures, the lion can be found demonstrating man’s fascination with this magnificent beast.

A half -century ago some 100,000 lions ranged across Africa’s savannahs, but lion habitat is only a quarter of what is was then and today lion numbers are fewer than 30,000. Forty per cent of these live in Tanzania and only nine countries can claim to have more than 1,000 wild living lions. Currently classified as ‘Vulnerable’ by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) the wild lion has been ousted from over 75% of its previous habitats on this continent in the last century, making scientists and conservationists alike feel that all species of African lion are well on their way to extinction.

World Lion Day is the first global campaign to celebrate the importance of the lion worldwide and to call attention to the need for conservation efforts in the lions’ behalf.  Organizers say, “Since the dawn of man, the lion has played an integral role in our lives:  symbolically, religiously, culturally, economically and biologically.  To lose the lion from our world would be to lose part of our global heritage.”

Marasa Africa, a member of the Madhvani Group of Companies, one of the largest private-sector groups in East Africa, announces it will join Uganda Conservation Foundation in supporting World Lion Day, August 10, 2013, a day that will be marked around the world to call attention to the endangerment of the King of Beasts.  On that date, Marasa properties in Uganda – Chobe Safari Lodge; Paraa Safari Lodge and Mweya Safari Lodge, will donate $1.00 for each room night at these lodges to the non-profit Uganda Conservation Foundation (UCF) Conservation through Action programmes provide practical support to revitalise and protect natural habitats, biodiversity and also helps protect lions in the national parks from poachers. This will also benefit the vulnerable tree climbing lions in ishasha Guests of the lodges will also be invited to donate to the UCF.

Guests can see the splendid lion in his natural habitat by going on game drives at Chobe Safari Lodge and Paraa Safari Lodge, both in Murchison Falls National Park, and both scenically situated on the River Nile.  And they can view a particular wonderment – tree-climbing lions – while on safari at Mweya Safari Lodge. Mweya is located in Queen Elizabeth National Park on the amazing natural channel, Kazinga, running between salt water Lake Edward and fresh water Lake George. The channel attracts a varied range of animals and birds, with one of the world’s largest concentrations of hippos and numerous Nile crocodiles.

Arrangements to see the Ugandan lions can be made through Premier Safaris. 

For more information on World Lion Day, visit: www.worldlionday.com