Uganda has completed its first-ever translocation of rhinos between protected areas with four southern white rhinos moved from Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to Ajai Wildlife Reserve.
The operation, led by the Uganda Wildlife Authority UWA, marks the first phase of a national programme that will see 20 rhinos relocated to Ajai. The four animals are currently under close monitoring as they adapt to their new environment. A second phase, involving the remaining 16 rhinos, will proceed once the initial group has stabilised.
The translocation is part of the National Rhino Conservation Strategy aimed at rebuilding Ugandas rhino population and restoring the species to parts of its former range in northern Uganda. While the southern white rhino is not indigenous to Uganda, its reintroduction to Ajai is guided by the principle of conservation equivalence. The native northern white rhino is now functionally extinct. Both subspecies historically belonged to the same species prior to separation.
