Staff Reporter
Conservationists in Uganda have launched a new initiative called “Action 4 Rhinos” to boost efforts in protecting endangered rhinoceros species. This initiative was unveiled yesterday during the World Rhino Day celebrations at the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC) in Entebbe, Kampala.
David Bakeine, the Executive Director of the organization, emphasized the importance of rhinos as the second-largest land mammals, weighing up to 3,000 kilograms, second only to elephants. He noted that rhinos have existed for over 50 million years and once roamed across North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia, with around 30 species. However, due to sharp population declines in recent decades, only five species remain today. Uganda was home to the Eastern Black Rhinos and Northern White Rhinos, but the last native rhinos were sighted in 1982, with extinction declared shortly after in 1983.
Bakeine explained that in 1954, there were approximately 300 Northern White Rhinos in the Ajai Game Reserve in northwestern Uganda. Unfortunately, rampant poaching drastically diminished their numbers. Two pairs were relocated to London and the U.S., eventually ending up in the Czech Republic and Kenya. Today, only two elderly females remain, but they are too old to reproduce naturally. Nevertheless, scientific advancements have allowed for the creation of embryos from these rhinos, giving hope that, if successful, the species could be revived and potentially reintroduced in Uganda.
He believes Uganda could play a pivotal role in this conservation effort, suggesting that the country might be the first to see the birth of a Northern White Rhino calf if embryos from Kenya are successfully implanted in a female rhino in Uganda. While previous breeding attempts in Kenya have failed, Bakeine is optimistic that Uganda’s environment could offer better results. He urged quick action to prevent the total extinction of Northern White Rhinos.
In addition to this, Bakeine advocated for Uganda to import Eastern Black Rhinos for both ecological restoration and tourism. He called on stakeholders to raise Ush 10,000 from at least 1,000,000 people, which would fund the importation of at least four rhinos to support the conservation cause.
Dr. Taddeo Rusoke, a conservation scientist and lecturer at Mountains of the Moon University, emphasized the significance of reintroducing rhinos to their natural habitats. He noted that this would increase Uganda’s tourism potential, both locally and internationally. While some rhinos are currently housed at UWEC in Entebbe and others in a sanctuary in Nakasongola, plans are being made to increase their numbers and return them to their original habitats, such as Ajai Game Reserve, further promoting tourism.
Jacob Ochelo Onama, Chairperson of the West Nile Tourism Cluster, also urged the government and conservationists to prioritize public awareness campaigns to ensure that proper conservation practices are in place as efforts to reintroduce rhinos to Ajai Game Reserve move forward.
