UWA closes Zziwa rhino sanctuary “with immediate effect”
The Uganda Wildlife Authority(UWA) has announced the closure of Zziwa rhino sanctuary due to the ongoing wrangle between Zziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranches(ZRWR) , the owners of the land where the sanctuary is located and Rhino Fund Uganda, an NGO managing the rhinos.
“The closure has been triggered by the persistent misunderstandings and UWA realized that the conflict could potentially compromise the safety of the rhinos and took this decision to avert the threat,” a statement read in part.
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Last week, UWA announced it was finalizing the process of relocating all the rhinos at the sanctuary to a safer place.
However, according to the latest statement, they have only taken full charge of the sanctuary in a bid to protect the rhinos in Nakasongola.
“For this to be effectively done UWA has within immediate effect closed the sanctuary to the public and as such, no tourism activities will be undertaken until further notice.”
The government body mandated to ensure sustainable management of wildlife resources and supervise wildlife activities in Uganda both within and outside the protected areas has said that whereas they are not party to the land wrangle between the owners of the land housing the sanctuary and the NGO managing the rhinos, they pray the impasse is solved soon.
https://nilepost.co.ug/2021/04/18/uwa-to-relocate-rhinos-at-zziwa-sanctuary-over-land-wrangle/
