The savanna ecology of Kidepo Valley National Park, Uganda

Censuses indicated similar elephant densities in some habitats to those in certain other East African Parks where woodland has been almost completely destroyed. Giraffe densities were low. Herd structure indicated a healthy elephant population; but poor recruitment in the giraffe population. Policy for the national parks is discussed. It is suggested that it is not in the interests of Uganda or science to allow Kidepo Valley Park to become dominated by elephant in the same way as Kabalega and Rwenzori Park. Evidence that this is happening under current elephant use is strong. Cropping of two thirds of the elephant in the Narus valley is recommended. The revenue from cropping should be used for essential fire control measures and for a monitoring programme to ascertain optimum elephant numbers. Elephant should not be cropped in the absence of fire control.