Two male rhino calves have been produced in two days at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. According to Uganda Wildlife Authority, the two bring the total number of Rhinos in Uganda to 38.
“Malaika gave birth to her fourth calf on April 12, 2023 while her sister Uhuru gave birth to her third calf on April 13, 2023 at the sanctuary.” Bashir Hangi the UWA Communications Manager said in a press statement on Saturday.
Malaika and Uhuru are born to Nandi that was donated to the country by the Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Florida, USA in 2006 at the age of seven together with Hassan, male rhino that was aged five.
Sam Mwandha the UWA executive director expressed joy over the births indicating that the conservation efforts by the UWA are bearing fruits.
“This is what anyone in conservation wants to see, the fruits of our efforts! We have come from a long way since 1983 when the rhinos became extinct in Uganda. Our rhino reintroduction and breeding efforts are there for everyone to see.”
The new births bring to four and three individuals born to Malaika and Uhuru respectively. Other offspring of Malaika are Noelle, Elias and Pipo while those of Uhuru are Nakitoma and Rae Ruparelia.
Hangi notes that Uganda Wildlife Authority is currently managing the rhinos at Ziwa Sanctuary jointly with Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch.
“UWA is currently undertaking preliminary activities that would lead to the reintroduction of white rhinos to the wild at Ajai Wildlife Reserve in West Nile. The goal of rhino reintroduction is to establish viable populations of wild rhinos in Ajai Wildlife Reserve,” Hangi added.
The initiative is in line with objective 2 of the Uganda Wildlife Policy 2014 that calls for sustainable wildlife populations management in and outside protection areas.
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