THE HISTORY OF RHINOCEROSOSES IN UGANDA (RHINOS)

Two species of Rhinos once roamed the savannahs and woodlands of Uganda. Today, the Rhinos are gone from Uganda, wiped out by war and harsh economic conditions that led poachers to hunt them down to sell the horn. Time for the rhinos to come home is back again, and bringing home the rhino is Rhino Fund Uganda (RFU).

With greater stability in protected areas and recent wildlife legislation enacted to ensure the protection of wildlife, Rhino Fund Uganda has created a sanctuary for the breeding of rhinos and re introduced them back into Uganda wildlife scene. Later they will be re-introduced into Uganda’s protected areas. Rhino Fund has launched an education and awareness campaign to inform people about the protection of this highly endangered species.

The rhino species of Black and White rhinoceros were present in Uganda – the Eastern Black in the North and Northwest, and the Northern White in the Northwest on the west bank of the River Nile. After the years of civil unrest, and poaching the rhinos became extinct in Uganda in 1983. The unstable governments of Amin in 1970s and Obote II during the 1980s saw a lot of wildlife poached . National parks became the seat of the rebel activities and wild game was hunted with impunity. Rhinos being popular for their horns so believed that has medicine healing properties most in the Asian world. Many theories have come up with the magic which these horns can do including curing impotence in manhood. These theories have led to hunting of these animals and leading to getting extinct in what used to be their habitats. New measures should be put in place to make sure that the few that are still surviving can multiply to restock the numbers.

In Uganda , a project was hatched from many meetings resulting from many discussions between RFU, MTTI and UWA, starting in 1998, it was mutually agreed and approved that RFU starts and manages the rhino reintroduction program in Uganda.

After the necessary feasibility studies were done by rhino specialists and with the support of numerous organizations and independent donors, a 7,000ha breeding sanctuary for black and white rhinoceros was established by RFU. This sanctuary was named Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and is centrally located in Uganda. At present, this sanctuary is home to nine Southern White Rhinos. The rhinos were put on Zziwa Ranch, a 70sq. km expanse which later became Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary, as a holding ground until UWA prepared a safe place for them in the wild.

Translocation began in 2002. Two White rhinos were successfully translocated from Kenya These two rhinos are at UWEC in Entebbe for educational purposes. 4 Southern White Rhino arrived from Solio ranch in Kenya in July 2005. 2 Southern White Rhino arrived from Disney Animal Kingdom in Florida, USA in September 2006. An during 2009 and 2010 three rhino calves were born on Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

The objective of the project is to re introduce big numbers in the wild once the numbers are many. When this breeding is successfully at rhino on Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary takes place and the numbers bred at this sanctuary and the herd is large enough (20 breeding rhino), then releasing excess rhinos back into the National Parks in Uganda will start. Having achieved all this this will contribute to the Uganda safaris being done in the country now. At this time many tourists on their way to Murchison falls national park tour visit this sanctuary for rhino viewing. This is done by offering on foot rhino tracking. This has increased tourist numbers in the country Uganda.

The success of Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary will play the key role in the eventual re-introduction of rhino back into the wild in Uganda’s National Parks for Uganda safaris. This will boost tourism on a National level, as it will provide facilities to attract tourists and visitors, enhancing Uganda as a tourist destination. Being one of the Big Five, the rhinoceros represents a welcome addition to safari itineraries.

Rhinos need good security since they are prone to poaching. Rhino poaching statistics in South Africa alone at 333 rhino poached in 2010 and over 140 rhino poached up to end April 2011, it is not possible to just leave rhino on a piece of land. Sanctuaries has well trained rangers that monitor the rhino 24 hours a day and this project is run with good management and solid structures. As RFU does not receive Government or UWA funding and rely on International and other funding, on foot rhino tracking has become an activity that tour operators have added onto their itineraries which tourists enjoy. The income from the rhino tracking assists RFU with their annual operating costs.

The Rhinos have since been left on the ranch which has grown into a full-fledged tourist destination with the rhinos attracting foreign visitors, according to information availed to the public. Well done for the good job done by Rhino Fund Uganda(RFU).

Facts about Rhinos

There are five species of rhino in the world – two in Africa, three in Asia – all endangered
Currently there are about 11500 Southern White Rhino’s and 3100 black rhino’s living in Africa
The Northern White rhinoceros is at the edge of bacoming extinct. The only wild population in Garamba NP in DRC, counting over 30 individuals two years ago, is now back to approx. 10 animals, due to heavy poaching
In 1968 more than 100 Northern White Rhino lived in Uganda. The last rhino was seen in 1983
The rhino had its origin millions of years ago and only in the past 15-20 years have they been hunted to the point of extinction
The rhino ‘horn’ is not a real horn but thickly mated hair, consisting of Keratin; the same chemical substance as our finger nails
Rhinos are slow breeders, giving birth to one calf every two to four years
In prehistoric times, the rhino roamed in north America

Fred Bukenya