Save the frogs day in Uganda

On 29th April every year, frog lovers and nature lovers around the world mark 'save the frogs day'. 

In Uganda, the first ever 'save the frogs day' was marked at Makerere University with a frog talk by upcoming Amphibian biologist Robert Sekisambu. Topics dicussed included; 'threats to amphibian conservation with ephasis on Chytridiomycosis disease'. Left, Some of the participants during the talk on save the frogs day. This was possible despite the deadly 'walk to work' riots that broke up in Kampala city scaring away several participants. The wetland walk was suspended because of the prevailing security situation.

Amphibian project attracts global attention

Hi all,
Its been a lot of silence but a lot is going on here at CEF. First, the amphibian project in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is in progress with funding from USAID through WCS and ITFC. Mr. Sekisambu attended the first ever herpetology training workshop and amphibian survey organized by WCS and facilitated by among others Michele Menegon a renown herpetologist between  November and December 2010 in Nyungwe National Park Rwanda.  

Excitingly, the project has already come up with 2 amphibian species that had never been recorded for Bwindi INP but that is just the beginning.  We are getting to sites never visited by any herpetologist in Uganda's history.  Amphibian web's Africa amphibian working group has already offered to identify the amphibians using photos that shall be uploaded on our flikr account (frogs of Uganda). Preliminary results are to be presented soon  at ITFC and Makerere university to coincide with 'Save the Frogs day in April 2011.  Wait for your e- invite.

In addition, our article 'Frogs worried about the future' posted on ITFC official website (www.itfc.org) and Bwindi researchers' blog has already attracted world attention with over 70 responses from several countries within one week. Bye for now and God bless you

CEF to study killer Chytrid disease among Bwindi forest amphibians

Amphibians are at the verge of extinction despite being key indicator species. Their populations are declining at an alarming rate yet remain among the least studied taxa especially in tropical Africa. About one third (1,895) of the 6,285 amphibian species are classified as threatened and have recently been included on the IUCN 2009 red list of threatened species. The decline is attributed to Chytridiomycosis a killer disease caused by class of pathogens fungi Chytridiomycetes first discovered and named in the late 1990's (Kiesecker et al. 2001). The fungus is known to spread faster under warmer conditions associated with global warming. CEF is looking out for funding to assess the prevalence of the desease among amphibians of the biodiversity rich albertine rift. Findings shall be very helful in formulation and implimentation of policies to ensure conservation of amphibians in tropical Africa.

CEF represented at DRECA

CEF was represented by Robert at DRECA, a high profile specialists workshop organized by the Tropical Biology Association (TBA) and a number of regional Universities.  DRECA is a three year project funded by the EU's ACP Science and Technology Programme intended to improve Africa's contribution to the body of science. This time participants were sharpened in skills particularly; proposal writing and fundraising for science related projects. The workshop started on 22nd June and ended on 25th June 2010 at Royal Suits in Kampala Uganda. Robert shall also participate in the next workshop specifically on writing research papers for leading science Journals.  Big thanks for the full sponsorship.

FUN AT THE ZOO

A few days ago we had a nice time at the Uganda wild life Education Centre (formerly known as Zoo) at Entebbe. Lots of good changes have already been made. In my view, the happiest animals were the two beautiful lionesses and the majestic lion. Chimpanzees were not as charming as usual. The buffalos looked so healthy just as did the Zebra and as usual the proud Peacock and the elegant Crane. I can't comment on the snakes... Bravo to management.

It was evident that the camels at the center are over worked. One of them cried for all the time we spent there yet the steward kept beating it up to move. This is perhaps because many people want to climb and enjoy the camel ride. Can they try to double or triple the charge per person on peak days? I think this would let management to continue fetching the money but save the animal from being over worked. We later attended the public talk about climate change and potential impacts on biodiversity and livelihood organised by Nature Uganda.    

Creature of the month

A few months ago I received two visitors who later constructed their house in my back yard. The two are a pair of Hamerkop birds known for setting up the biggest nest among birds. The guys set up the huge nest (mansion) on one of the mature Ficus without asking for permission. In addition to counting Egrets that fly over our roof twice everyday, I’ve now got an extra morning task of monitoring the interesting activities of the new visitors which include dancing, singing and rigorous collection of building materials for their tree mansion. The nest is so far about half a meter in diameter and could exceed a meter in a few weeks time. However, some colleagues still associate the bird to misfortune hence giving it some unintended scare protection. We are now expecting more of such visitors in the backyard especially as Lubigi wetland slowly but surely gets degraded. Don’t say I am biased but I vote for the Hamerkop (Scopus umbretta) to be our creature of the month. Please send in nominations for creature of the month of June, it could be an insect, bird, water body, animal name it.

REDD is here, Is Uganda prepared?

REDD is most likely to be included in the post 2012 climate agreement yet many information gaps exist. Over 150 participants from various stakeholders participated in the recently  concluded (March 31st) REDD inception workshop in Malaysia. Participants gave valuable comments on the proposed activities and stakeholder involvement in the implementation of UN-REDD. UK is still debating about the Robin Hood tax where many are positive to contribute 0.05% of their earning to suuport developing countries in addressing climate climate change.
 In this countdown to distribution of benefits from carbon trading, how is Uganda and developing coutries prepared. Its thus becoming of more urgency first to quantify out carbon stoocks, put in place monitoring mechanisms and sensitising the players to include local communities and academic institutions among others.