Solid waste management at Uganda Wildlife Conservation Center Entebbe

Abstract

The health and safety of wildlife in captivity is affected by how zoo management manipulated the resources to which the animals have access. These include food but also waste. Waste particularly may endanger free ranging wildlife if it’s not well managed and disposed of appropriately. This study sought to evaluate the different types of waste, how it is collected, stored, and managed in order to sustain the wellbeing of wildlife at UWEC and the environment at large. The study used experimental design combined with observation methodology based on a prior designed observation checklist. The results showed that majority (88%) of the waste was biodegradable waste in form of restaurant waste but also plastic waste. The waste collected at the site was accessible to the zoo animals and was a danger to the health and wellbeing of the zoo animals. It’s recommended that zoo management improve on the waste collection and storage practices to avoid exposure of zoo animals to waste which could potentially harbor disease vectors.