Karamoja, Uganda — Ugandan wildlife officials have reintroduced rhinos to a remote protected area where they were once hunted to extinction, an event seen by conservationists as a milestone in supporting the recovery of the species threatened by poaching.
On Tuesday, two southern white rhinos were reintroduced from a private farm in the East African country to Kidepo Valley National Park in the country’s north-east. Two more rhinos arrived there in metal boxes on Thursday.
As a result of poaching, there have been no rhinos in Kidepo Valley National Park since 1983. But a private farm in central Uganda – Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – has been breeding the large mammals since 2005. This program has been successful over the years.
“This moment marks the beginning of a new rhino story for Kidepo Valley National Park,” said James Musinguzi, executive director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority. “We are extremely grateful to our conservation partners whose technical expertise, financial support and logistical contributions have made this milestone possible.”
Local wildlife officials collaborated with several conservation groups, including Global Conservation, to relocate some rhinos from the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to another sanctuary inside Kidepo Valley National Park, more than 400 kilometers (250 mi) away.
The new rhino habitat has fence lines, access roads and fire management infrastructure. More rhinos are expected to be transferred there later this year, including some from Kenya.
Jeff Morgan, executive director of Global Conservation, said, “The rhino translocation shows that Uganda is stable again for tourism, the national parks are being protected, and Ugandans and international tourists can see rhinos in their natural setting, which will be an incredible achievement.”
Poaching remains a problem in Uganda’s protected areas, although incidents have been curbed over the years due to increased security measures.
Rhinos are targeted by poachers who kill them High demand for rhino horn products For medicinal and other uses in parts of Asia. Studies indicate that rhino horn products sold through illegal markets Sometimes it fetches a higher price than gold.
