Uganda Brings Back Rhinos to Park Where They Vanished 40 Years Ago

Wildlife officials in Uganda have successfully moved four southern white rhinos back into Kidepo Valley National Park, where the species had been completely wiped out by poachers since 1983. The rhinos came from a breeding sanctuary that has been working to restore the population since 2005.

KARAMOJA, Uganda — Wildlife officials in Uganda have successfully brought rhinos back to a remote national park where poachers had completely eliminated them four decades ago, marking what conservationists are calling a major victory in the fight to save this endangered species.

Four southern white rhinos have been moved into Kidepo Valley National Park in northeastern Uganda this week, with the first pair arriving on Tuesday and two additional animals transported in metal containers on Thursday. The rhinos came from a private breeding facility in the country’s central region.

Kidepo Valley National Park had been without rhinos since 1983 after poachers killed off the entire population. However, the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in central Uganda has been successfully breeding these massive animals since 2005, creating a stable population for relocation efforts.

“This moment marks the beginning of a new rhino story for Kidepo Valley National Park,” stated James Musinguzi, who leads the Uganda Wildlife Authority. “We are deeply grateful to our conservation partners whose technical expertise, financial support and logistical contributions have made this milestone possible.”

The relocation project involved cooperation between local wildlife officials and several conservation organizations, including Global Conservation. The animals were moved more than 400 kilometers (250 miles) from the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to their new home within Kidepo Valley National Park.

Park officials have prepared the rhinos’ new environment with protective fencing, road access, and fire prevention systems. Additional rhinos are planned to arrive later this year, including some from neighboring Kenya.

According to Jeff Morgan, who directs Global Conservation, the rhino transfer “shows that Uganda is stable again for tourism, national parks are being protected, and Ugandans and international visitors can watch rhinos in their natural setting, which will be an incredible feat.”

While poaching continues to threaten wildlife in Uganda’s parks, improved security protocols have reduced such incidents in recent years.

Criminal hunters target rhinos because their horns command extremely high prices in illegal markets, particularly in Asian countries where they are sought for traditional medicine and other purposes. Research shows that rhino horn products sometimes sell for more than gold on black markets.