Conservationists in Uganda are currently focusing their efforts on the transformation of the Ajai Wildlife Reserve in the northwestern Ugandan district of Madi-Okollo. Their goal is to make it a suitable habitat for the endangered white rhinoceros species.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), a government conservation agency, is implementing a combination of biological and manual methods to restore the 166-square-kilometer reserve to its original savannah state. This restoration is essential for the planned relocation of the rhinoceros to the reserve next year.
Sam Mwandha, the executive director of the UWA, explained in a recent interview with Xinhua that they have already translocated 226 Ugandan kobs to the reserve. Moreover, plans are underway to bring buffalos to graze the grass to a suitable level for the rhinoceros.
“It is part of a longer program to reintroduce rhinos. We started with kobs, and then we will bring in buffaloes and then finally rhinos so that people can come and enjoy this place. It is part of our conservation strategy,” Mwandha stated. “We are working with the community so that there is no poaching and increasing security to reduce the poaching that has been happening.”
Patrick Atimnedi, the head of veterinary services at the UWA, mentioned that around 20 unrelated rhinoceros will be relocated to the reserve as the founder population, with hopes for them to multiply. Atimnedi added that at least 12 rhinoceros from the 41 at Ziwa Sanctuary will be moved, and an additional eight will be brought into the country specifically for the reserve.
As a precaution against poaching, a sanctuary will be constructed within the reserve to ensure the safety of the endangered animals. Swaib Toko, the resident commissioner of Madi-Okollo District, highlighted the extensive sensitization efforts being carried out with the local communities and leaders to safeguard the wildlife.
Historically, Uganda was home to a significant number of rhinoceros, particularly the northern white rhinoceros species. However, their population drastically declined during the civil wars in the 1970s and early 1980s, leading to their extinction in Uganda by 1983.
The establishment of the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in 2005 and the reintroduction efforts by the Rhino Fund Uganda brought hope to conservationists worldwide. The sanctuary, acting as a breeding program, now houses 41 rhinoceros and is nearing its maximum capacity.
Furthermore, the sanctuary has become a popular destination for tourists eager to witness the second-largest land mammal on Earth after elephants. With the reintroduction of rhinoceros into the national parks, Uganda aims to join the ranks of countries known for the Big Five game, which includes elephants, lions, hippopotamuses, and buffalos.
Uganda has historically generated over 1.6 billion U.S. dollars annually from the tourism sector. However, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a significant drop in tourism earnings in 2020 to 0.5 billion dollars. The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities reports that the sector is now on a path to recovery.
