De-Snaring

This vital project is decreasing the deaths of critically endangered Rothchild’s (also known as Nubian) giraffe in Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda, an area that is extremely important for giraffe conservation. Giraffe, and other species are being caught and entangled in wire snares set by illegal poachers who come across the Nile from elsewhere in Uganda and from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Wire snares cause severely debilitating wounds to giraffe resulting in permanent injury or a slow, agonizing death.

Since 2018, Save Giraffes Now has supported the Uganda Wildlife Authority and Giraffe Conservation Foundation who are carrying out this incredible, life-saving work for giraffe. A specialized team of anti-poaching rangers and wildlife vets patrol the 1,480 square mile (3,840 square km) Murchison Falls Park to remove wire snares, combat poachers, and treat wounds and set free giraffe that have been caught by snares.

De-snaring a two-ton giant is dangerous and takes bravery and expertise. Generally, snares hold fast, trapping the giraffe so it cannot escape, with the wire cutting deep wounds often to the bone. Other times, the giraffe can pull the snare off its attachment. But the snare is still around the giraffe with the wire cutting even deeper as the giraffe has to drag the rest of the snare, and sometimes even parts of the tree it was attached to behind it.

When the specialized team finds a giraffe either trapped stationary in a snare, or walking, but still ensnared, they have to sedate the animal before they can free it. The wildlife vets safely tranquilize the snared giraffe, and then the team removes the wire snare, treating all wounds, before setting the giraffe free to a brighter future!

In addition, this program also supports:

• Park patrols to stop illegal hunting and poaching;
• Education campaigns, including radio broadcasts, to the communities living around the Park highlighting the importance of wildlife; and
• Establishment of local working groups to tackle poaching issues.