Established 1964
Previously declared as Debasien Animal Sanctuary
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION
Eastern Uganda, north of Mount Elgon and SOkm east of Scroti. I’SO’-I’IS’N, 34”34”05′-34°50’E. Altitude l,000-3,06Sm Area 231,400ha; connected to Matheniko Game Reserve (160,000ha) by the Bokora Corridor Land Tenure Government Physical Features This is a high plateau area of rolling plains with black cotton soil drained by intermittent watercourses flowing westwards into Lake Kyoga. Most of the area is subject to inundation during the rainy season. Mount Kadam (previously Mount Debasien) near the border with Kenya, is the highest point in the reserve at 3,068m. VegetatlonT Most of the area is wooded savanna grasslands with some forest in the north on the margins of a higher ridge.
FAUNA
A large variety of mammals in the area include: lion Panthera leo, leopard Pantheia pardus (T), cheetah Acinonyx jubatus (T), giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis, buffalo Syncerus caffer, waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus, Uganda kob Kobus kob, mountain reedbuck Redunca fuhorufula, roan antelope Hippotragus equinus, Jackson’s hartebeest Alcelaphus buselaphus Jacksoni, oribi Ourebia ourebi. Most of the eland Taurotragus oryx, topi Damaliscus lunatus, and zebra Eguus quaga borensis migrate into the area to breed from North Bokora and Matheniko reserves and migrate northwards when the rains begin. Birds include ostrich Struthio camelus, secretary bird Sagittarius serpentarius, and yellow-billed shrike Corvinella corvina (uncommon).
DISTURBANCES OR DEFICIENCIES
Settlement and grazing of domestic livestock has occurred since the declaration of the reserve. Cattle and wildlife share the same habitat during dry seasons and wildlife are now very sparse. Poaching and forest encroachment in the south, although this has been reduced by local cattle rustling activities.
