Summary:
- Uganda was once home to Eastern Black Rhinos and Northern White Rhinos, but the last native rhinos were spotted in 1982, with extinction declared the following year.
KAMPALA: Conservationists in Uganda have launched “Action 4 Rhinos,” a new initiative aimed at enhancing the protection of endangered rhinoceros species.
This initiative was introduced during the World Rhino Day celebrations at the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC) in Entebbe, Kampala on Sunday.
David Bakeine, the Executive Director of the organization, emphasized that rhinos are the second-largest land mammals, weighing up to 3,000 kilograms, second only to elephants. He highlighted that rhinos have existed for over 50 million years and were once widespread across North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia, with around 30 species.
Today, only five species remain due to significant population declines in recent decades. Uganda was once home to Eastern Black Rhinos and Northern White Rhinos, but the last native rhinos were spotted in 1982, with extinction declared the following year.
Bakeine shared that, in 1954, there were around 300 Northern White Rhinos in Ajai Game Reserve in northwestern Uganda. However, rampant poaching drastically reduced their population. Only 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, too old to reproduce naturally.
Nevertheless, Bakeine noted that scientific advancements have led to the development of embryos from these females, offering hope that, if successful, the species could potentially be revived and reintroduced to Uganda.
CUE IN BAKEINE…..ON RHINOS……RR//
He believes that restoring rhinos could become a valuable asset for Uganda, suggesting that the country could potentially be the first to have a Northern White Rhino calf if embryos retrieved from Kenya are implanted in a female rhino within Uganda. Despite past failures in breeding efforts in Kenya, Bakeine remains hopeful that Uganda’s environment could lead to success, urging swift action to save the Northern White Rhinos.
CUE IN BAKEINE…..ON SCIENCE……RR//
Bakeine proposed that Uganda should consider importing Eastern Black Rhinos for ecological balance and tourism purposes. He called on stakeholders to take responsibility for ensuring this happens and aims to raise at least Ush 10,000 from over 1,000,000 people to fund the importation of at least four rhinos to support conservation efforts.
CUE IN BAKEINE…..ON THE CALL……RR//
Dr. Taddeo Rusoke, a conservation scientist and lecturer at Mountains of the Moon University, emphasized the importance of returning rhinos to their natural habitats, noting that this would boost Uganda’s tourism potential, both domestically and internationally. He explained that while the rhinos currently in Entebbe reside at a zoo and those in Nakasongola are in a sanctuary, efforts are underway to increase their numbers and reintroduce them to their original game reserve, further enhancing tourism opportunities.
Jacob Ochelo Onama, Chairperson of the West Nile Tourism Cluster, urged the government and conservationists to prioritize public awareness campaigns to ensure proper conservation practices as plans to reintroduce rhinos to Ajai Game Reserve move forward.
