UWA recently translocated 3 Nubian giraffes and several Jackson’s hartebeests to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to strengthen its biodiversity. According to official statement, “Ziwa is now a ranging area for giraffes and hartebeests. On your next trip to the sanctuary, you stand a chance to see them alongside other biodiversity at the sanctuary” Including southern white rhinos. Among other wildlife at the sanctuary include antelope species such as Uganda kobs, common duiker, oribis, Bohor reedbucks, bush bucks, and water bucks. There over 146 species of birds including the shoebill stork. Other mammals include; warthogs, bush pigs, Giant pangolins, Aardvarks, African crested porcupines, and genets. Predators include leopard and African civets. There are also primates such as vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys and olive baboons. Ziwa rhino sanctuary offers a wide range of activities for visitors including on foot rhino trekking experience, bird watching, canoeing, nature walks, and shoebill stork treks.
The giraffes were obtained from Murchison falls conservation area famous for harboring 1,450 of 1,575 Uganda’s total giraffe population. Uganda represents almost 50% of Africa’s Nubian giraffes formerly known as Rothschild’s giraffes; which are subspecies of the northern giraffe. Given that Murchison falls has a high number of giraffes. UWA with support from the Giraffe Conservation Foundation and other partners including Uganda Conservation Foundation has previously undertaken conservation translocations of giraffes to restore populations to other protected areas to ensure continuous population increase trends and boost tourism. These translocations have proved to be successful over the years. For instance, 15 giraffe were established in Lake Mburo National Park in 2016 which have since increased to over 24 giraffes. 14 giraffes were translocated from Murchison Falls to Kidepo valley national in 2018. There’s hope that giraffes to Ziwa will increase in number and improve tourism beyond just rhinos.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary was established in Nakasongola district to start a rhino breeding program and reintroduce rhinos back to Uganda in 2005. The sanctuary covers 70 sq. km dominated by dry combretum savannah with Euphorbia candelabrum and cactus trees. The area contains permanent swamps as a natural habitat it was selected for survival of species. According to Rhino Resource Center, over 400 eastern black and 300 northern white rhinos once lived in Uganda’s northern region particularly in Murchison falls and Kidepo valley national parks. Sadly all species became extinct due to poaching and wildlife crime triggered by civil unrest of the 1970s. After relative peace and political stability returned, the government through the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and Rhino Fund Uganda (RFU) started a rhino breeding program to restore the national heritage.
Several activities were first carried out to make the sanctuary ready including construction of a 40 km long 2- meter high 14- strand electric fence around the land, tourist and staff facilities and training of rhino monitoring ranger force. The sanctuary received the first 4 southern white rhinos named Bella, Taleo, Kori, and Moja which came from Solio game reserve in Kenya. Later on 2 more rhinos were shipped from Disney Animal Kingdom Theme Park in USA, making a total of six by 2006. The first rhino calf in Uganda was born on 25 th , June 2009 almost 28 years after extinction. Breeding of rhinos occurs in the natural habitat with successful reproduction the number of rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is now 50. Rangers closely monitor each rhino on an hourly basis and guard the sanctuary day and night. Ziwa is one of Africa’s most secured rhino sanctuaries. As the number continues to raise, the future ultimate plan is to take some of the rhinos from the sanctuary and distribute them across the country. Ajai wildlife reserve in Arua district West Nile sub-region is being prepared for that in future.
