Zookeepers join campaign to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts

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WAKISO - Under their umbrella body, the Zoo Keepers Association Uganda (ZKAU), wild animal caretakers have embarked on a campaign to supplement efforts by the government and other civil society organisations, in mitigating human-wildlife conflicts, especially in communities around protected areas. 

The new campaign involves among such efforts is to provide scholastic material, feeding among other school requirements needed by learners to stay in school.

This was revealed by Ronald Wako, the ZKAU chairperson, also the head animal keeper at the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC) during the celebration of International Zookeepers Day held at UWEC in Entebbe municipality on Friday evening.

The celebration was also used as a fundraising dinner to raise funds towards the noble initiative.

"We believe that once we provide scholastic needs such as books, sanitary towels, pens, breakfast and lunch among others, learners shall not be compelled to stray out of school in search of the same outside," Wako noted. 

He further explained that preliminary findings indicate that young boys staying around protected areas tend to be lured into tendencies of poaching in order to raise some money for their well-being and education needs.

"But once we start solving some of the challenges to do with scholastic needs, we shall have contributed a brick towards the education of young learners," Wako stated, adding that the endeavour is to begin with public schools situated around protected areas. 

The initiative will supplement the government's efforts such as the revenue-sharing programme where communities adjacent to protected areas receive a 20% share of the total gate collection from tourists visiting national parks. 

The Wildlife Act and regulations also provide for compensation of individuals whose property (and crops) are damaged or destroyed by wildlife.

With 53 members, the Zookeepers Association will continue leading the campaign that will source funds among other in-kind contributions so as to raise the funds towards the continuous programme of helping communities that bear a direct impact of wildlife challenges.

Celebrating the Zookeepers Day was climaxed with dinner and cultural performances. (Credit: Julius Luwemba)

Zoo-Keeping Course

In 2021, UWEC revealed plans to introduce animal keeping as a course to be taught by higher institutions of learning, starting from a certificate level. 

During the Friday fundraising dinner and celebration of Zookeepers Day, Dr. James Musinguzi the UWEC boss, also a patron for the Zookeepers Association, UWEC working together with the Directorate of Industrial Training, has already developed modules that will see animal-keeping taught at certificate and diploma levels.

"We also have bigger plans of working with universities to further the course and research in animal caretaking at a degree level," Musinguzi revealed.

David Musingo, formerly the manager in charge of education and currently the UWEC chief warden said, the centre will be a pool of excellence for qualified animal caretakers given its advancement in infrastructural developments, research and expertise. 

"There is a very high demand for zoo-keepers all over the world. We, therefore, aim at making UWEC an area of excellence for zookeepers who will be posted to several of our regional zoos but also desired by other international zoos as the case has always been," Musingo expressed.

About Zookeepers day

October 4, every year, was proposed by Barcelona Zoo and AICAS (Iberian Association of Zookeepers) in honour of St. Francis of Assisi who advocated that it was the duty of men to protect and enjoy nature. 

This celebratory day includes all who make it their life’s work to care for animals, whether they are involved with zoos, sanctuaries, aquariums, rescue centers, parks or reserves. 

The Zookeepers Association Uganda is currently the professional organisation of zookeepers and animal care professionals in Uganda. Established in 2023, the association serves as a platform to share knowledge and advance careers in the field of zoological management in a way that promotes best practices in conservation, animal care, welfare and public education.