Shoebill Conservation in Eastern Uganda Gets Boost from the Rufford Foundation

Efforts to conserve one of Uganda’s most iconic and elusive birds, the Shoebill, have received a significant uplift following the award of a Rufford Small Grant to a local conservation initiative Terra-NatureWild Conservation – led by Oreret Erasmus Tukei, a passionate Wildlife Ecologist and researcher.

The grant, awarded by the UK-based Rufford Foundation, will fund a project titled “Mapping Critical Habitats for the Shoebill in the Awoja-Agu Wetland Sub-catchment, Kyoga Basin.”

The project officially kicked off in May 2025 and will span Ngora District and neighbouring wetland areas, a crucial part of the Kyoga Basin ecosystem in Eastern Uganda.

Speaking about the significance of the grant, Tukei, who also serves as the project lead under Terra-NatureWild Conservation, said, “This grant is not just about conserving a species, but about restoring the connection between communities and the wetlands they rely on. Shoebills are flagship species, and their survival tells us how healthy our wetlands truly are.”

The Shoebill (Balaeniceps rex) is currently listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with Uganda hosting some of the most stable populations in the wild. However, these majestic birds face rising threats from habitat loss, human disturbance, and unsustainable land use practices.

Through a mix of scientific research and grassroots engagement, the project will seek to reverse this trend.

Key activities planned under the grant include: Participatory mapping of breeding and feeding habitats of the Shoebill, Community-led monitoring of threats such as encroachment, poaching, and wetland degradation; Conservation education campaigns in schools and local communities; and Development of a locally driven Shoebill Conservation Action Plan, built in partnership with wetland users, local leaders, and environmental agencies

These efforts are expected not only to protect critical wetland habitats but also to enhance climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods for surrounding communities.

The Awoja-Agu Wetland Sub-catchment forms part of the Lake Kyoga Basin, a key biodiversity hotspot that supports fisheries, agriculture, and water regulation for millions in Eastern Uganda.

The presence of Shoebills within these wetlands is a strong indicator of ecological health, and their loss would signal larger environmental breakdowns.

Through support from the Rufford Foundation, this initiative gains international backing, connecting local conservation actions to global biodiversity protection goals under frameworks like the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Terra-NatureWild team emphasized that the success of the project hinges on partnerships with local government, traditional leaders, schools, and civil society.

“We welcome collaboration from all stakeholders who care about the future of our wetlands and wildlife,” said Tukei.

The organization also acknowledged The Rufford Foundation for its enduring support to grassroots conservation work worldwide, particularly in regions where biodiversity is threatened, but funding is scarce.

To partner or support the efforts, get in touch with the project lead, Oreret Erasmus Tukei, on;

+256 789 067 299

toreret@thenaturewild.org or eoreret@gmail.com