KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda has successfully received a significant reinforcement to its wildlife conservation efforts with the arrival of eight southern white rhinos from South Africa.
This transfer is aimed at enhancing the long-term genetic diversity and growth of the species’ population within the East African nation.
The rhinos, comprising four males and four females, were donated by African Parks, a non-profit conservation organization.
The animals were received by Basil Ajer, Director of Tourism Development, at Entebbe International Airport, as confirmed by a statement issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) on Tuesday.
Strengthening conservation and global credibility
Ajer emphasized that the arrival of these rhinos underscores Uganda’s growing reputation on the global stage for effective wildlife conservation and tourism development. He noted that the donation is perfectly aligned with the country’s national conservation strategy.
The transfer seeks to “strengthen genetic diversity, expand rhino range, and secure the species for future generations,” Ajer was quoted as saying in the UWA statement.
Commissioner of Biodiversity Management, John Makombo, echoed this sentiment, describing the donation as a substantial reinforcement to Uganda’s conservation initiatives.
“Beyond conservation, this donation strengthens Uganda’s profile as a competitive nature-based tourism destination and a trusted partner in international wildlife conservation,” Makombo was quoted as saying.
Ziwa Sanctuary: A beacon of reintroduction
The animals were moved to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for mandatory quarantine, veterinary care, and acclimatization before being fully integrated with the existing rhino population.
The Ziwa Sanctuary, a 70 km² ranch located in Nakasongola District, is the only place in Uganda where white rhinos can be observed in the wild.
It was established in 2005 as a crucial joint project between UWA and the Rhino Fund Uganda (RFU), with the primary goal of reintroducing the Southern White Rhino to Uganda, a species that had been rendered extinct in the country by 1982 due due to civil unrest and rampant poaching.
With the addition of these eight new rhinos, the national population, all residing within the highly secured Ziwa Sanctuary, now totals 59, according to the UWA.
The long-term objective of the successful breeding program at Ziwa is to build the numbers sufficiently to allow for the future reintroduction of rhinos into Uganda’s national parks, such as Murchison Falls and Kidepo Valley.
Conservation status of the Southern White Rhino
Globally, the Southern White Rhino is a conservation success story compared to other rhino subspecies.
While once severely threatened, intense conservation efforts have stabilized their numbers, though they still face persistent threats from poaching for their horns.
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The thriving population at Ziwa is vital not only for Uganda but also provides a beacon of hope for conservation efforts across the continent, especially given that the closely related Northern White Rhino is functionally extinct, with only two non-reproducing females remaining under protection globally.
The commitment to securing the Southern White Rhino at Ziwa remains critical for the recovery of the species in East Africa.
