Grapevine

Oil exploration endangers wildlife, tourism in Murchison Falls Park - report

A recent survey report has exposed the alarming risk of destruction to wildlife and vegetation in Murchison Falls National Park, caused by the clearance of areas for oil extraction and injection wells, along with the necessary supporting infrastructure.

The report, titled "Murchison Falls National Park Is Dying," highlights the devastating impact of increased pressure on vulnerable species, posing a significant threat to the park's delicate ecosystem, habitat loss, reduced food availability for small and large herbivores, increased sediment run-off into water bodies, especially during well pad construction activities near the Ramsar site, and the spread of invasive species such as giant salvinia.

The report shows that the park is facing unprecedented pressure from oil and gas exploitation activities, combined with poaching, climate change, and other factors, which could ruin or degrade the almost century-old natural ecosystem

“Where well pads are close, such as JBR-07 and JBR08 which lie within 500m, wildlife may be deterred from moving in between during site clearance activities. Individuals may be deterred from using certain routes between preferred habitats when there is more intense activity and more humans are present in the landscape,” reads the report.

According to the report, the paved roads that have been constructed in MFNP to support the Tilenga oil project activities have opened it up to more motorised traffic. This has exposed wildlife to poaching, accidents as well as noise and air pollution.