REVEALED! UWEC Got 2 Tigers For 25 Monkeys In Swap Deal

By Francis Otucu

The Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC) has imported tigers to bolster the cat family after decades to boost local and international tourism.

However, well-placed sources say it was a swap deal, an arrangement with South African Firm, Mystic Monkeys & Feathers Wildlife Park.

“We got the new ones for free through an exchange programme with Mystic Monkeys and Feathers Wildlife Park South Africa who we gave 25 monkeys in exchange for the two tigers,” UWEC Executive Director, James Musinguzi, confirmed our story yesterday.

“We are glad to welcome the tigers to UWEC after six decades. The Bengal tigers, sometimes called Indian tigers, is a species that resonates with the Indian community, which has over the months proven to be loyal to the animals at UWEC,” he noted.

The male and female tigers aged two and three months were flown into the country from South Africa early this year.

“The two tigers arrived on March 7 before the national lockdown and have since been under the watchful eye of our animal caregivers and veterinary specialists at the quarantine and veterinary hospital,” he said.   

Musinguzi said there is need to protect tigers, which are classified as endangered species according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red list of Threatened Species.

“Over the last century, subspecies of tigers dwindled from eight to five due to hunting as trophies and habitat loss from intensive logging and development. The remaining subspecies including the one we have here need protection,” he said. 

He said the previous tigers at UWEC have died of old age.

The manager of education and information at UWEC, David Musingo, said the centre will soon bring more animal species including kangaroos as part of the plan to set up regional zoos across the country.

“We are moving across the country, working with different partners, we are going to set up satellite conservation centres valued at Shs1b,” he said.

The Director for Animal and Horticulture, Rachel Mbabazi, said Africa’s temperature is favourable for the tigers where suitable habitant has been constructed for them.

“The tigers have adjusted well since their arrival. Bengal tiger habitats are tropical rainforests, marshes, and tall grasses,” she said.