Giraffes given a new home in Uganda to escape oil drilling in the country’s largest park
The move aims to rebuild a population wiped out by poaching and insecurity, as officials say the reserve spans 166 square kilometers.
- On Tuesday, Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers began moving 12 endangered Nubian giraffes from Murchison Falls National Park 106 kilometers to Ajai Wildlife Reserve, aimed at preserving the species population and enhancing biodiversity.
- Increased oil drilling at Murchison Falls, where an estimated 40% of Uganda's oil deposits reside, prompted the move, as Patrick Atimnedi, Uganda Wildlife Authority assistant commissioner for veterinary services, said establishing new populations reduces habitat pressure.
- Ajai, established in 1937, underwent ecological restoration after poaching and insecurity decimated wildlife in the early 1980s and now reintroduces southern white rhinos, buffalo, zebras, and Uganda kobs to its 166-square-kilometer sanctuary.
- Local resident Moses Ayoti expressed excitement about ecological benefits, while Ajai Wildlife Reserve senior warden Wilson Katamigwa aims to integrate the Madi Okollo district into the "money economy" through tourism revenue sharing.
- Increased ranger presence and fencing protect animals from poachers as Katamigwa noted, "They are spreading all over the reserve," with local communities actively participating in conservation efforts.
15 Articles
15 Articles
In the early 1980s, poaching wiped out all wildlife in this Ugandan reserve, now 12 giraffes are being brought back to save them from oil drilling
Uganda is moving endangered Nubian giraffes from Murchison Falls National Park to Ajai Wildlife Reserve. This relocation aims to protect the species from oil drilling and habitat pressures. Ajai Wildlife Reserve is undergoing ecological restoration and reintroduction of various animal species. Local communities are actively engaged and benefit from conservation efforts. The initiative seeks to foster coexistence between development and wildlife …
Giraffes given new home in Uganda to escape oil drilling in country's largest park
MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK, Uganda — On a cold morning in Uganda’s largest national park, rangers chat and sing to lift their spirits ahead of the start of a daunting wildlife project considered critical to conservation: moving the Nubian giraffe to a new home. Rangers at Murchison Falls National Park on Tuesday began to translocate 12 endangered Nubian giraffes, Earth's tallest land mammal, 106 kilometers to Ajai Wildlife Reserve. The projec…
UWA Steps Up Ajai Repopulation with Giraffe Translocation
Ajai Wildlife Reserve in West Nile is steadily reclaiming its place on Uganda’s tourism map, following a series of strategic wildlife translocations aimed at restoring biodiversity and unlocking new economic opportunities. The latest in this restoration journey is the translocation of the Nubian giraffes from Murchison Falls National Park to Ajai Wildlife Reserve. According to Dr Patrick Atimnedi, Assistant Commissioner for Veterinary Services a…
UWA Strengthens Wildlife Conservation with Relocation of Nubian Giraffes to Ajai Wildlife Reserve - The Witness Uganda
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has intensified efforts to restore and expand wildlife populations by relocating three Nubian giraffes from Murchison Falls Conservation National Park to Ajai Wildlife Reserve in West Nile. The conservation exercise is aimed at increasing the habitat range of the endangered giraffe species, improving biodiversity protection and boosting tourism opportunities within the region. The translocation is another majo…
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