Vision and Goals
Lions once roamed freely through the Kiba Sector in northwest Murchison Falls National Park. Today, they are all but gone. The Lion Recovery Project is working to change that.
Our vision is to restore the Kiba Sector as a safe and thriving habitat for lions, where populations can return and grow naturally. The Lion Recovery Initiative addresses the biggest threats facing lions, which are poaching, snares and loss of prey, while strengthening the ecological balance of the park as a whole.
As apex predators, lions play a vital role in regulating herbivore populations, which supports healthy vegetation and creates stable conditions for other species to thrive. Their return to the landscape is not only essential for the ecosystem but also for tourism, a key driver of conservation funding and local livelihoods.
Partners
Global Humane Conservation Fund of Africa works in partnership with Uganda Conservation Foundation to support the Uganda Wildlife Authority in its long-standing mission to conserve Uganda’s natural heritage.
Uganda Conservation Foundation plays a key role in implementing ground-level conservation programs that combine community engagement, ranger support and habitat restoration.
Uganda Wildlife Authority leads wildlife protection efforts across Uganda’s national parks and reserves, including law enforcement, anti-poaching and habitat management.
Project in Action
Once a stronghold for lions, the Kiba Sector has experienced increased poaching, widespread snaring, and the loss of key prey species. Lions have gradually retreated from the area, and without urgent intervention, their absence could trigger long-term damage to the park’s delicate ecosystem. Lions are currently listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with fewer than an estimated 400 remaining in Uganda. Isolated and struggling to survive in fragmented habitats, they need safe, connected landscapes like the Kiba Sector to make a meaningful recovery.
To change this trajectory, we’re supporting dedicated ranger teams who patrol the area regularly, removing wire snares and deterring illegal activity. These patrols play a critical role in protecting both lions and the prey species they depend on, helping to create a safer, more stable environment.
By making the landscape more secure, we’re laying the groundwork for habitat recovery. With time and protection, prey populations can begin to rebound, setting the stage for lions to return naturally. The presence of lions is a sign of a healthy, functioning ecosystem, and restoring that balance is a central focus of the Lion Recovery Initiative.
Through our Ranger Support Program, we’re working with Uganda Conservation Foundation to provide training and employment for local community members. This not only offers meaningful alternatives to bushmeat hunting but also builds lasting support for wildlife protection among those living closest to the park.
Ongoing monitoring helps us stay responsive and adaptive. With improved data collection and snare tracking systems in place, the team can evaluate progress, address emerging threats and continue refining the approach. All of this work adds up to one clear goal: bringing lions back to the Kiba Sector and securing their future in Uganda’s wild spaces.