By Julius Luwemba
Two rhinos were born this week at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola district, bringing to 38 the total number of rhinos that Uganda currently has.
According to a statement issued on Friday by Bashir Hangi, the communications manager of Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), the two male rhinos were born on Wednesday and Thursday at the sanctuary.
“Malaika gave birth to her fourth calf on April 12, while her sister Uhuru gave birth to her third calf on April 13, 2023,” reads in part the statement issued by Hangi.
The two mother rhinos were produced by Nandi, a female rhino that was brought to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in 2006, as a donation from Disney’s Animal Kingdom in the US while it was seven years old.
Whereas Nandi died recently in 2021, several of its offsprings continue to multiply.
Sam Mwandha, the UWA executive director, boasted of UWA’s conservation efforts that he said are bearing fruits.
“We have come a very long way since 1983 when rhinos became extinct in Uganda,” he said, adding that the rhino reintroduction and breeding efforts are for everyone to witness.
Hangi noted that UWA is currently undertaking preliminary activities that will lead to the reintroduction of White rhinos into the wild at Ajai wildlife reserve in the West Nile.
This is in line with the second objective of the Uganda Wildlife Policy 2014, which calls for sustainable management of wildlife populations in and outside protected areas.
Once the home of hundreds of both Black and White rhinos, Uganda suffered unregulated hunting in the early 1900s and poaching, particularly during the periods of civil unrest in the 1970s, which led to their extinction in 1983.
The 70km² Ziwa rhino sanctuary, which was gazetted in 2002 in Nakasongola, first imported six rhinos, which have since bred to a total of 38 rhinos currently.
