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00:00Well, NGOs say that French energy giant Total Energies' controversial East African oil
00:05project in northern Uganda is already having devastating effects on biodiversity.
00:11Conservationists say that drilling near the Murchison Falls Nature Park, the largest of
00:16its kind in the country, is upending the fragile ecosystem.
00:20Shama Di Roma brings us more.
00:29Elephants, antelopes and other animals in Murchison Falls National Park are already
00:34feeling the impact of the initial oil drilling, according to a study conducted by Ugandan
00:39NGO. A year ago, Total Energy and a Chinese company
00:42launched the first drills in northern Uganda as part of a major oil extraction project
00:47led by local authorities. However, this new report, based on several
00:51months of research, indicates that these drills are already affecting the wildlife.
00:56Elephants, particularly sensitive to vibrations, are increasingly leaving the park, leading
01:01to conflicts with surrounding communities, resulting in the destruction of crops and
01:05the death of several people following elephant encounters, according to the report.
01:10The lighting from the installations is also criticised as NGOs fear it will disrupt lions
01:16and leopards, which can only hunt in complete darkness.
01:20The construction of several roads through the park also worries environmental activists.
01:25Total Energy responded by clarifying that it is not responsible for these roads.
01:29The company also disputes the claims about elephant movements, stating that it closely
01:34monitors them with its partners and that the lighting has been adjusted to minimise disruptions,
01:40amongst other measures.