Kanungu RDC says the killed lions were targeted for trade.

Six lions were last week discovered dead with missing body parts after they were allegedly poisoned in Queen Elizabeth National Park in Kanungu District.

Their heads and appendages were cut off and the carcasses were surrounded by dead vultures, an indication that the lions had been poisoned.

After investigations, four people have so far been arrested in connection with the crime of killing the six lions .

The four  were arrested on Monday night  March 22, 2021 during a joint operation mounted by UWA, the army and police in Kihihi Sub-county, Kanungu District.

The UWA communications manager, Mr Bashir Hangi, said the group led police to where four heads of lions and their legs were hidden.

Samples were extracted from the carcasses of both lions and vultures and taken to Kampala for further examination to ascertain the type of poison used by the criminals . 

Mr Gad Rugaaju Ahimbisibwe, the Kanungu Deputy Resident District Commissioner, said the animals were targeted for their lucrative body parts.

 “The suspects admitted to slaughtering lions for their teeth and claws, which they consider a big trade. They told us that they did it for business,”  Mr Rugaaju said, adding that the nails and hearts are also costly.

A lion’s head can cost Shs40,000 while its litre of fats can be sold at Shs60,000.

Mr Rugaaju said the suspects were also found with a two-litre jerrican of fats.

He said other body parts are reportedly sold to traditional healers.
However, Mr Shafiq Ssekandi, the Resident District Commissioner, said they suspect that someone else could be behind the killing .

“The price may not be true ,it seems there is a millionaire behind this move. The possibility of using the lion’s body parts for rituals and witchcraft cannot be ruled out . In our investigations, we must establish who this millionaire is and why is he or she threatening wildlife for his or her personal interests,” Mr Ssekandi said.