The Influence of Long-Term Wildlife Monitoring on Policy Development to Conserve Biodiversity in Uganda

The influence of Long-term Wildlife Monitoring on policy to conserve biodiversity in Uganda was explored. The study particularly sought to evaluate the indicators monitored, policies formulated, new conservation initiatives developed, and also suggest innovative conservation policy areas with guidance of the long-term wildlife monitoring program. The study was conducted through a survey from May to October 2019 using document review, Key Informant Interviews, semi-structured questionnaires, and Geographical Information System/remote sensing. The study established that Long-term Wildlife Monitoring contributes to development of conservation policies. The policies developed include the merger of Uganda National Parks and the Game Department, integration of interests of local communities in the wildlife legislation, shift from protectionism to conservation, and elevation of conservation status of protected areas. The program guides adoption of conservation initiatives mainly adaptive management, park boundary demarcation and management, restocking of wildlife protected areas, and landscape approach to management of wildlife resources. The study identified innovative conservation policy areas namely ecosystem health, community involvement in wildlife monitoring, management of wildlife outside protected areas, management of wildlife corridors, and Payment for Ecosystem Services that should be integrated into the wildlife policy and legal framework. The study concludes that wildlife monitoring program guides development of conservation policies, conservation initiatives, and innovative conservation policy areas to conserve biodiversity. Further research should investigate ecosystem health to assess the condition of the wildlife protected areas. Keywords: Conservation, indicators, policies, protected areas, wildlife monitoring DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/13-10-04 Publication date:May 31st 202