Avian Conservation Uganda Society is building a bird-friendly community: One step at a time.
In the heart of Tisai Island on Kumi’s Lake Opeta, a remarkable story of compassion unfolded when Mr. Steven Kileng, while on a walk, found a Shoebill chick in the clutches of danger. Her life hung in the balance as a serval cat that had just devoured her sibling was hunting her. Mr. Kileng, a cultural enthusiast, was aware of the Ekuruddudu (Shoebill) being a revered bird in local culture. Upon discovering that the young Ekuruddudu was under attack, Mr. Kileng swiftly sprang into action, fending off the predator to rescue the defenseless chick. Mr. Kileng proceeded to inspect the scene further, only to discover the surviving chick had lost its mother as it lay lifeless on the shores of Lake Opeta. Recognizing the sensitivity of the situation, Mr. Kileng rightly thought it prudent to move the chick to safety to avert its imminent demise. He subsequently decided to adopt the bird and move it to his household. He and his wife along with their children then nurtured their newfound family member with unwavering dedication, dedicating sacrificial resources to ensure her survival. The family named their new adopted chick Junior.
With each passing day, they diligently fed her a diet of fish to provide the nourishment necessary for her growth and well-being. The family, aware of the endangered status of the Shoebill species, even hired the services of local fishermen, providing them with fishing equipment to ensure they made a daily catch enough to feed Junior. Despite the challenges they faced, their commitment remained steadfast, fuelled by a shared determination to safeguard a species on the brink of peril. For weeks, they made sure Junior was comfortable providing food, shelter and even playing with Junior to ensure physical fitness. Their commendable dedication to the welfare of this bird did not stop there. Mr. Kileng went ahead to share this remarkable story with local authorities. On getting this information, Mr. Patrick the local Councillor reached out to a contact Faridah Katushabe, a Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) officer stationed at the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) and informed her of the situation. Faridah, a career conservationist, devoted herself to finding support to seek rehabilitation for Junior. The first responder to this dire situation turned out to be a group of bird lovers who have come together to form a membership-based organization dedicated to conserving the precious birds of Uganda – the Avian Conservation Uganda Society (ACUS).
With support from Bussi island’s Park Shoebill, the Avian Conservation Uganda Society instantly worked out logistical support for a team of 6 including two UWA staff, two UWEC, and two members of the Avian Conservation Uganda to travel to Tisai island to transfer the bird to UWEC, Entebbe, for rehabilitation.
This collaboration exemplified the power of collective action necessary for effective conservation of the country’s precious biodiversity, demonstrating what can be achieved when public and private sector organizations apply concerted efforts to support local communities in the fight to halt the decline of biodiversity. On 4th March 2024 – the afore-mentioned team travelled to Tisai, crossed Lake Opeta on canoe and made it to Mr. Kileng Steven’s home to pick up the Shoebill and transfer it to UWEC. The journey was an eventful expedition as the team had to travel overnight, including crossing Lake Opeta at 10:00 pm in the night to ensure the bird was not overly stressed by the hectic transfer from remote Kumi to the UWEC rehabilitation station.
On 5th March 2024 – the team arrived at UWEC in the mid-morning and effectively handed over the bird to UWEC rehabilitation station, signaling a successful mission. In recognition of the family’s selfless act of heroism, members of the Avian Conservation Uganda Society, led by Park Shoebill’s Joseph and Lilliane Ndiho rallied together, offering contributions as a token of gratitude. Their generosity served as a testament to the profound impact of individual and collective actions in securing the future of our planet. Junior has since grown comfortable in his new home at UWEC as he undergoes rehabilitation before he is released back into his natural habitat to have a full life, breed, and multiply his endangered species which has an estimated population of 5000 individuals left in the wild according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, rendering it vulnerable. The Shoebill is distributed in East and Central African freshwaterswamps,s especially in Uganda, South Sudan, DRC, Rwanda, and Zambia.
The Avian Conservation Uganda Society, an esteemed environmental organization dedicated to the preservation of birdlife, played a pivotal role in Shoebill’s rescue. Their tireless efforts not only ensured her safety but also underscored the importance of raising awareness about the critical need for bird conservation. As Shoebill embarks on her journey towards rehabilitation, her story serves as a poignant reminder of the profound interconnectedness of all living beings. Through acts of kindness and collaboration, we have the power to effect positive change and safeguard the precious biodiversity that enriches our world. Together, we champion the cause of conservation, ensuring that future generations inherit a world teeming with the wonders of nature. For in the protection of creatures like this shoebill, we safeguard not only their future but our own, as birds play a vital role in enabling the sustenance of natural ecosystems as seed dispersers, pollinators and pest management on farms – all of which maintain forest ecosystems, support agriculture, and ensure a healthy planet for all.
For this reason, collaborations with networks such as the Rotaract Club of Kampala North, the Avian Conservation Uganda Society can raise awareness about the need to conserve Uganda’s rich biodiversity, especially the 1086 bird species (and counting) recorded in Uganda. This is a necessary effort to cultivate a society that appreciates the ecological, cultural, aesthetic, and economic benefits of birds. With support from members of the public, ACUS can be able to have more inspiring stories, such as that of Mr. Kileng Steven. The work of the ACUS, though, goes beyond saving vulnerable birds, ACUS activities are related but not limited to, studying and monitoring bird species, behaviors, and populations, collecting, recording and disseminating information about birds to residents and visitors, restoring degraded bird habitats, and creating awareness about and advocating for avian conservation. ACUS welcomes all members of the public to join the society as members to participate in these activities, travel on birdwatching trips, join our university bird clubs in the effort to cultivate an environmentally aware, bird-friendly community. Visit www.acugs.org, @acus_uganda on X and Instagram for more.
