-Enhancing Enforcement And Sensitisation
By Davis Buyondo
Lwengo
A series of grisly murders of grey crown cranes in small rural villages of Nabyewanga and Kikonge in Lwengo district is keeping Lwengo district authorities restless.
A joint security team, comprising the vigilant Environmental Police and the steadfast International Crested Crane Foundation, have embarked on a crucial mission. Their objective; is to uncover the identity of the enigmatic culprits behind the tragic demise of eleven majestic crested cranes.
These captivating birds, known for their elegant plumage and graceful demeanour, met their untimely fate within the lush rice fields that stretch between the Nabyewanga and Kikonge wetlands.
Just recently, farmers and local conservationists stumbled on eleven crested crane bodies in different crop fields and plantations. In their serene and idyllic habitat, the cranes unwittingly consumed tainted grain, their graceful bodies succumbing to the effects of an insidious poison.
After witnessing the unusual deaths of Crested Crane birds in the rice gardens of Bukoto South Constituency, community residents swiftly reported the incident to the police. The plantation owners, however, managed to escape following a substantial security presence.
Amidst the grim aftermath, it becomes apparent that the poison’s deadly reach extended beyond the grey crested cranes. Tragically, a yellow-billed dock bird also fell victim to its insidious grasp.
According to Gilbert Tayebwa- the International Crested Crane Foundation field officer, the resilient Hada Ibis birds managed to endure the poison’s onslaught, standing as a testament to their strength and adaptability.
As investigators delve deeper into the mystery, suspicion settles upon a potential culprit: the very agrochemicals that farmers employ in their gardens.
Herbicides and pesticides once believed to safeguard their crops, now stand accused of wreaking havoc upon the avian inhabitants of this delicate ecosystem. Could the same chemicals meant to sustain life be responsible for snuffing it out?
Tayebwa says it’s important to recognise that wetlands play a vital role as habitats for numerous bird and mammal species. These species heavily depend on wetlands for sustenance and water, particularly during migratory periods and breeding seasons.
Consequently, when communities establish gardens within these wetlands, they are encroaching upon crucial habitats. Lwengo is home to a population of 1,359 Crested Cranes, and they primarily inhabit swamps. The district also has one of the largest breeding places for crested cranes in Uganda such as Kiyanja and Kaku wetlands.
It’s unclear whether a significant number of Crested Cranes perished from unidentified locations due to poisoning. According to Tayebwa, Lwengo district
Tayebwa collected the dead crested cranes from Nabyewanga wetland rice plantations in Nkoni parish, Lwengo district where they were poisoned.
During the investigation conducted by Taban Chiriga, the Southern Region Environment Police Officer, the authorities collected samples of chemicals that were suspected to be responsible for the death of the Crested Cranes, along with the bird corpses, from the scene.
They also discovered numerous agrochemical substances within the plantations situated in the wetland area. These plantations were being cultivated by unidentified individuals from the local community, and they were growing crops such as beans, maize, yams, and rice.
Chiriga emphasised the importance of warning the community members against using water from the wetland stream where the Crested Cranes were poisoned. There is a risk that the water might be contaminated with poison, which could adversely affect their health or even lead to cancer-related complications. Caution should be exercised to avoid potential harm from using such water.
Residents
The local community held the area’s LCs responsible for neglecting the issue of people abusing the wetlands. According to John Namuyimba, a community volunteer dedicated to protecting the Crested Crane, the individuals involved in exploiting the wetlands resisted any attempts at eviction.
The conservationist pointed out that the LCs’ reluctance to take action against these wetland abusers might be influenced by their term of office nearing its end, which could compromise their ability to address the situation effectively.
Protected By the Law
The Crested Crane holds a special position on the Uganda flag and national coat of arms because it is considered a symbol of the nation. To safeguard the bird, the Uganda Wildlife (UWA) Act of 2019 has made it illegal to hunt, trap, kill, sell, or buy these cranes.
Those who break this law can be charged with a crime, and if found guilty, they may face either life imprisonment or a fine of up to 20 million Uganda shillings (approximately USD 5639.45), as determined by the court.
However, despite this legal protection, the Crested Cranes are still in danger. Local residents have been consistently hunting, killing, eating, trafficking, and selling them to traditional healers in Tanzania.
To discourage such actions, the Tourism Ministry proposed implementing a strict punishment of life imprisonment and a hefty fine of 200 million Uganda shillings for anyone caught trapping and killing a Crested Crane.
Despite the challenges, some arrests have been made in various parts of the country for crimes related to the Crested Cranes. For example, in 2016, the police in Rukungiri district arrested a person found in possession of three Crested Crane chicks. In January 2020, three individuals were arrested in Kisoro district while attempting to sell three cranes to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Cultural Rituals
The Insight Post Uganda has discovered that the national bird is also becoming a victim of the growing trend of new cultural beliefs sweeping across the district.
These beliefs suggest that the bird’s parts, such as feathers, beaks, and nails, are sought after for rituals that supposedly strengthen relationships, cure impotence in men, aid fertility for the barren, and more. This has resulted in an unusual demand for the bird in a district with 61,753 households.
Unfounded beliefs have compelled the residents in Kyandazima, Lwempaama, Kamusoga, Kisaana, Kyakabandagala, Kajjalubanda, Kitwekyanjovu, Kaikolongo, Kyetume, Katuulo, and other parts of the district to search for crane meat, eggs, feathers, beaks, nails, and other body parts for these peculiar rituals.
A 30-year-old hunter from Kyandazima who preferred anonymity, admits that he used to catch various bird species, including crested cranes, their chicks, and eggs, which he sold to witch doctors.
For a pair of eggs, he would receive UGsh30,000 (USD 8.43), while a crane chick would cost around UGsh45,000 (USD 15.45) each, and a mature crane would sell for UGsh75,000 (USD 21.07). Since 2019, he has been selling 4 to 6 eggs and 2 to 4 chicks to traditional healers in Kyazanga and Lwengo town councils, at least once every week.
Traditional Healers React
However, Francis Emero Luswata, the Operations Commander for Traditional Healers and Herbalists in Uganda, has verified the existence of this practice, stating that they first became aware of it over five years ago.
According to him, certain traditional healers purposefully trap and secretly incorporate the crested crane into their rituals and herbal treatments. Luswata further explains that these traditionalists have been introducing beliefs that deviate from the traditional principles that should govern their practices.
Way forward
After eradicating 80 percent of the country’s iconic birds, the fate of the remaining percentage remains uncertain. Various stakeholders have been identified as not having played their part in protecting these birds.
These include environment and wildlife conservationists, traditional healers’ associations, civil society organisations, district authorities, and law enforcement authorities. To address this issue, they emphasise the need for heightened nationalism and specific interventions, such as conducting joint investigations of environmental crimes and establishing a fund to incentivize communities to support wildlife protection policies.
Furthermore, it is essential to improve food security in communities where hunting is prevalent and raise awareness about the consequences of environmental crimes.
Myths and false impressions that target wildlife should be debunked, and a robust information-sharing network must be established to stay ahead in conserving the remaining fraction of the cranes and supporting their reproduction. These measures are seen as vital steps to safeguard these precious birds and their habitats.
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