Rhinos in Uganda on the verge of extinction

Uganda’s rhino population is nearing extinction with the country reporting only 25 of this famous tourist attraction are left.

They are being jealously kept at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasogola district, 176km north of Kampala on the Gulu highway.

Uganda used to be home to thousands of rhinos some years back but the political turmoil that hit the country in the 70s and 80s did not spare the animal species.

Concerned by the rhino extinction, the Rhino Fund Uganda in partnership with Uganda Wildlife Authority organized and re-introduced six rhinos into Uganda in 2005.

Two were from USA and four from Kenya.

Raymond Opio, the head ranger at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary said it is these white rhinos that are being bred again in this 7000 hectares.

There are efforts of reintroducing small herds of rhinos in the various Ugandan national parks.

On this sanctuary land, we learn that the neighbouring communities are allowed to bring in their cattle to feed on the grass a process that helps the long grass to be shortened for easy feeding of rhinos which has created a symbiotic relationship btn the community and the Rhino sanctuary.

It is said that a pound of rhino horn costs over $50,000 in China and Yemen.

For this Ziwa Rhino sanctuary is protected by 24 hour security and a solar powered electrical fence to make sure that available numbers are not tampered with.

Apart from tracking the endangered rhinos, there are also nature walks with possibilities of seeing around 300 bird species including the most sought after -

The shoebill which is seen best while on a canoe ride through Lugogo Swamp.