The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has begun the translocation of Nubian giraffes from the northern bank of Murchison Falls National Park to Ajai Wildlife Reserve in Madi Okollo District, as part of efforts to expand the range of the critically endangered species and diversify wildlife populations across Uganda.
Three adult female giraffes were captured and loaded onto a specially designed transport truck during the first phase of the exercise. The translocation will continue over the coming days, with UWA planning to move additional giraffes to Ajai Wildlife Reserve.
Assistant Commissioner for Veterinary Services at UWA, Patrick Atimnedi, said the exercise is intended to reduce the risk of losing the species to threats affecting its current habitat, including oil and gas activities, climate change, habitat encroachment and invasive species.
"We want to expand the range of this critically endangered Nubian giraffe. When you do range expansion, you don't want to have all your eggs in one place because if calamity happens there, then you lose the species," Atimnedi said.
The giraffes selected for the exercise are mature animals with a longer breeding lifespan. UWA said the selection process considers both age and sex to ensure the conservation objective is achieved without significantly reducing the source population.
The animals are being transported using a specially designed chariot fitted with protective padding to support the giraffes' long necks and bodies during the journey. The chariot is then towed by a truck, with the giraffes transported one at a time because of the challenging road conditions between Murchison Falls National Park and Ajai Wildlife Reserve.
Ajai Wildlife Reserve, which covers approximately 166 square kilometres, was once home to a rich diversity of wildlife, including the northern white rhinoceros. However, years of insecurity, poaching and encroachment led to the disappearance of many species from the reserve.
In recent years, UWA has invested in infrastructure, law enforcement, staffing and community engagement to restore the reserve. The authority has also been steadily reintroducing wildlife to rebuild its ecosystems.
The giraffes are the latest addition to a growing list of species reintroduced to Ajai. Uganda kob, buffaloes, roan antelopes and zebras have already been introduced, with UWA officials reporting that the animals are adapting well and reproducing.
The ongoing translocation follows the recent reintroduction of rhinos to Ajai Wildlife Reserve, with UWA planning to continue restocking the reserve with additional species.
According to Atimnedi, restoring Ajai is also intended to strengthen tourism in the West Nile sub-region by creating a new wildlife destination.
"Ajai was initially devoid of wildlife and was not attractive at all, yet UWA was investing significant resources to manage it. The decision was therefore taken to repopulate Ajai, known as the home of the northern white rhinos, and restore its wildlife," he said.
The authority is working closely with the Madi Okollo District leadership and surrounding communities, who have been engaged through conservation meetings and encouraged to protect the restored wildlife populations.
Senior Warden in charge of Ajai Wildlife Reserve, Wilson Katanga, said local communities have welcomed the return of wildlife and are optimistic that the reserve will contribute to the area's economic growth.
He said the long-term vision is to develop Ajai into a major tourism destination in the region, complementing attractions such as Murchison Falls National Park, the Mparo cultural sites, eclipse viewing sites and historical locations associated with the slave trade routes.
UWA said the continued reintroduction of wildlife forms part of a broader national conservation strategy aimed at spreading wildlife populations across different protected areas to enhance resilience and biodiversity.
Over the past two decades, the authority has undertaken several successful wildlife translocations, including moving eland from Lake Mburo National Park to Kidepo Valley National Park, reintroducing zebras and impalas to Katonga Wildlife Reserve, and reinforcing giraffe populations in other protected areas across the country.
The current translocation of Nubian giraffes to Ajai Wildlife Reserve is expected to strengthen conservation efforts while creating new opportunities for tourism, employment and economic development in the West Nile sub-region.
