An Update From Uganda

Recently, our conservation partners at the Uganda Conservation Foundation shared this story with us, and we knew you needed to hear it:

It started as a rather typical work day in the wild. Denis Turyaheebwa, Senior Project Officer of the Uganda Conservation Foundation (UCF) was supporting one of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) teams on a routine snare removal patrol in Murchison Falls National Park. They had no idea they were about to come across something extraordinary.

In another area of the park, Dr. Nancy Masia, one of UCF’s Veterinary Doctors, had just completed the first wildlife rescue of the day – treating a warthog caught in a snare. She and the UWA Vet Team were preparing to move when Denis’ urgent phone call came through. The message was clear: they needed to move fast.

Denis and team came across some giraffes, not an unexpected sight, and the team trudged on under the scorching sun, looking out for any more snares or traps; but something was a bit off. These two giraffes were frozen in place, standing eerily still. As the team edged closer, they saw the horrifying reality – both giraffes were trapped in cruel wire snares– one caught by the forelimb and the other by the hind limb.

Denis and team came across some giraffes, not an unexpected sight, and the team trudged on under the scorching sun, looking out for any more snares or traps; but something was a bit off. These two giraffes were frozen in place, standing eerily still. As the team edged closer, they saw the horrifying reality – both giraffes were trapped in cruel wire snares– one caught by the forelimb and the other by the hind limb.
The team regularly encounters many trapped animals in the park and the Vet team rescues at least three animals daily, but a double giraffe entanglement is unheard of!

The distress in their eyes, the deepening marks on the limbs as the wires had cut in from their desperate struggle – even before the Vet arrived and did her professional assessment, it was clear they had been trapped for days.

Every team on an operation in the park moves with a smartphone and digital radio, integrated into EarthRanger (the park management system), and the operators in the Joint Operations Command Center can observe the patrols and operations in real-time and thus are able to provide support quickly when needed. The Operations Room team could see where each of the teams were, and seamlessly coordinated movement of the Vet team as well as reinforcements from the park HQ to Denis’ location.

Rescuing a giraffe is a delicate, high-risk operation and is always very carefully and cautiously considered and executed. Now they had a double on their hands! A single misstep could be fatal – for the animals or the rescuers. Dr. Nancy did her assessment, and after a planning and safety brief they embarked on the procedure.

The first dart was fired. Then the second. The towering creatures were first startled by the sting, then slowly succumbed to the tranquilizer; the team worked fast to get them on the ground safely and monitor their vitals. Vegetation tangled around their limbs was cleared, the wires were cut away, and wounds were cleaned. Every movement was precise, every action was deliberate.

The reversal agent was administered. For a breathless few seconds, nothing. Then—a flicker of movement, a deep breath, and with a surge of strength, both giraffes rose to their feet. Freed. Safe.
As the giraffes took their first tentative steps, then strode confidently into the distance, the team erupted in quiet cheers, exchanged high-fives, and wiped the sweat from their brows. As they packed up their gear, a shared sense of accomplishment hung in the air. No words were needed—the exhaustion was real, but so was the satisfaction.

This is why we do what we do.

For the Vet interns witnessing their first wildlife rescue, this was a moment they will never forget—a rescue like no other. Developing the next generation of wildlife vet capacity has been an area of key focus for us, and we hope this experience cements their commitment and reinforces their passion for protecting Uganda’s wildlife.

Once heavily impacted by poaching and habitat loss, wildlife populations in the parks faced a steep decline. But with dedicated wildlife veterinary rescues, strengthened law enforcement, and continued conservation efforts, these animals now have a better chance at recovery—despite the persistent threats of human-made dangers. The Uganda Conservation Foundation proudly partners with IEF as well as Global Humane Conservation Fund of Africa, Tusk Trust, Global Conservation, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden and others to make these lifesaving interventions possible.

IEF is proud to support this impactful work, building 15 ranger stations over the years, as well as the Joint Operating Command Center, and more. It is a tangible reminder that our work makes a difference.

Request for Proposals for 2026

IEF is proud to announce our Request for Proposals (RFP) for 2026 funding! This year’s application is a web-based form that will walk applicants through the process. You can start the application process here.

For 2026, IEF is interested in funding:
· Efforts to decrease human-elephant conflict;
· Habitat conservation and management;
· Conservation education and community outreach;
· Transfrontier or transboundary elephant conservation;
· Elephant protection programs including anti-poaching patrols, infra-structure development, security, investigation and prosecution;
· Reducing and preventing the ivory and bushmeat trade; and
· Research into elephant diseases.

We encourage all qualified applicants with projects that have direct impact on elephant conservation to apply. Please make sure to get your proposals in early and carefully follow all directions. Proposals are Due August 1, 2025.

Episode 9: The 10% Plan

By Tricia Berry

After our made-to-order breakfast at the guest cottage, we popped over to the hangar where the Tsavo pilots keep their four reconnaissance planes. As luck would have it, we were visiting just weeks before the four-seater leased plane was being replaced by a fourth two-seater. That meant Debbie, Joe and I could all fly together during a typical day’s flight to survey the park. From the plane we spotted the larger animals: giraffes, Cape buffalo, and many elephants.

We thought some looked to be Big Tuskers, but Nick told us they were “emerging” tuskers, younger bulls that still needed a few years of growth in overall size and tusk length to be classified as a big tusker.

We saw areas of Tsavo that were flat and other areas of undulating hills and gorges. From the air looking south, above an invisible bank of clouds, we saw the snowy peak of Mount Kilimanjaro
…continue reading HERE!

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