TRANSFERRING OVER 200 KOBS FROM KABWOYA TO KIDEPO.
Uganda Wildlife Authority has commenced trans locating over 200 kobs from kabwoya wildlife reserve in Hoima to kidepo valley national park in Northern Uganda. The activity is aimed at transferring 170 female kobs and 30 male kobs to kidepo valley national park. “The exercise will cost 100m taking about two weeks.” John Makombo UWA conservation director said as he flags off the exercise at kabwoya.
Reasons why UWA is transferring kobs to kidepo?
Makombo continuously said that the reason why kobs are transferred is to stop the high rate of lions from dying due to being in the battle with buffaloes which are their main source of food at the moments.
Transferring kobs to kidepo from kabwoya is that wildlife reserve is expected to be affected by oil drilling commerce’s thus attempt to create a safe haven of kobs in kidepo valley national park.
Kobs were transferred due to the fact that there is high population census of kobs over 8000 and other mammals however has less pasture hence the translocation will reduce the demand for pasture in the reserve.
It is said that over 110 kobs were once trans located in 2017 which has boosted the ecosystem of kidepo valley as the best rated national park in Africa.
About Uganda kobs.
Uganda kobs lie in the group of antelopes which are known for their distinctive physical features like long, spiraled horns and reddish-brown fur and are commonly spotted in sub -Saharan Africa. Uganda kobs are herbivores and feed on grasses, leaves, and other vegetation.
“The translocation of the kobs will help boost the numbers of kobs in Kidepo.” UWA executive director Sam Mwandha says because kobs are also part of Uganda’s national emblem.
“The current population of kobs in Kidepo is not what we want. Therefore, we have to reinforce it” he says.
Sexually, female kobs mature in second years and male kobs do not start breeding until they are older however kobs move 50 to 200 km searching for water during dry season.
About kidepo valley national park.
Kidepo valley national park is the best rated in Africa with unique touristic attractions that can’t be found elsewhere in other parks. The park is located in kaabongo district which is a remote area in northern circuit trail on a Uganda safari. Kidepo valley national park inhabits over 86 mammals which includes hyena, lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant, giraffe, zebra, African buffalo, bat-eared foxes, Rothschild’s giraffe. Buffalo herds can number over 3000, lions are plentiful, and over 500 bird species including migratory birds, forest birds and endemic birds which are only found in Karamoja region like Dark chanting goshawk, Kori bustard, Little bee-eater, Ostrich, Red-and-yellow barbet and many more.
About kabwoya wildlife reserve.
Kabwoya wildlife reserve is located in Hoima between kibale national park and Murchison falls national park. The reserve gives magnificent views with extraordinary wildlife and nature experience although tour operators rarely recommend to visitors. The reserve covers an area of 87sqkm above the sea level and was established in 1980 however became a wildlife reserve in 2002.
Kabwoya wildlife reserve is a home of various mammals like Jackson’s hartebeest, oribis, Uganda kobs, warthogs, defassa water buck, duiker, bush buck and many more. However, the wildlife reserve is also a birding paradise for bird lovers, nature walks, fossil hunting and best destination for game drive.
