Herds of elephants pushed back to Kidepo Valley National Park

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Several herds of more than 50 elephants that had occupied bushes in three sub-counties in Kitgum have been driven back to the wildlife corridor by the rumbling of the engines of UPDF helicopters.

Some of the roaming herds had established permanent habitats around Kiteny, Orom, and Namukora sub-counties for almost two years, turning the locals’ gardens into their main food source.

Sources close to UWA reported that the joint operation with Uganda People's Defence - Air Force (UPD-AF) has no specific time frame until the estimated 200 stray elephants are repatriated to the Kidepo Valley National Game Park.

Richard Muhabwe, the Chief Warden of Kidepo Valley National Game Park, reported strategic intervention of increased deployments along the hot spots to avoid future elephant invasions.

Several herds of more than 50 elephants that had occupied bushes in three sub-counties in Kitgum have been driven back to the wildlife corridor by the rumbling of the engines of UPDF helicopters. (Credit: UPDF)

“I implore the community to plant repellent crops like hot pepper that can easily repel the elephants away from community settlements, embrace block farming with gardens established in a single area where the Uganda Wildlife Rangers can easily be deployed to guard against the beast and provide timely updates on sight of any elephant in their areas for immediate response,” Muhabwe stated.

Jimmy Ssegawa Ebil, the Resident District Commissioner of Kitgum, said the intervention was prompted by several unsuccessful efforts to have the elephants vacate the community, including the use of community wildlife scouts.

Ssegawa said the district now expects the Uganda Wildlife Authority to make deployments along the wildlife corridors to avert these elephants coming back to the community.

Two weeks ago, Sam Mwandha, the Executive Director of Uganda Wildlife Authority, made an official visit to Namukora sub-county in Kitgum district following community outcry of wildlife conflict as well as part of response to the directive President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni made to erect an electric fence around Kidepo Valley National Game Park.

During the field visit, communities affected by the invasion resolved to have the immediate evacuation of elephants from the community settlement, compensation for damages caused and fencing of the game park.