Uganda, April 29 -- Uganda has registered notable gains in several wildlife populations over the past three years. Still, new government data shows that lion and elephant numbers are declining, raising fresh concerns about the sustainability of conservation efforts amid growing human pressure on natural habitats.

The newly released State of Wildlife Resources in Uganda Report 2026 indicates that while herbivore species such as buffaloes, zebras and antelopes are recovering, key flagship species, particularly elephants and lions, are on a downward trend.

According to the report, elephant numbers in monitored protected areas fell from 6,621 in 2021-2022 to 6,352 in 2023-2025. Lion populations also declined from 314 to 291 over the same pe...