The Uganda Wildlife Authority has successfully completed the first ever Rhinos translocation from Ziwa Sanctuary in Nakasongola to Ajai in Madi-Okollo district in West Nile.
The rhinos are returning to Ajai for the first time since the 1970s when they were wiped out by poachers and insecurity caused by civil wars.
"We have seen history unfold where we have had the first ever Rhino translocation in the country and it has been 100 percent successful," said Bashir Hangi, the Uganda Wildlife Authority spokesperson.
And indeed it was a beautiful spectacle to see the White Rhinos wobble to the ground after being darted and then resuscitated as the UWA officers prepared them for translocation across a journey of over 200 kilometers.
A sight to behold at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola district as the two giant fauna of Jabari who weighed 1454 kilograms and Elias who weighed 1754 were being baby walked into the Uganda Wildlife Authority containers.
The two male southern white rhinos combined to a weight of 3,208 kilograms and their transportation to Ajai Wildlife Reserve in Madi-Okollo marked the first ever succesful Rhinos translocation in Uganda.
As they crossed the Pakwach bridge into West Nile region, the UWA announced the that the Construction of roads, water points, and fencing has been done to support the rhinos and rangers.
"The intention is to ensure that the communities appreciate," Hangi added.
While modern tools like Earth Ranger, GPS tracking, and camera traps will enhance monitoring of the animals while at Ajai Wildlife Reserve.
UWA is also working hand in hand with the local communities, training youth to become rhino guardians and informants, fostering ownership and sustainable tourism.
"Its my first time to see a Rhino, and i will send a message to the local leaders if something wrong happens to the Rhinos," said Oscar Bora, who witnessed the translocation.
While Mzee Omar Kidaga expressed his happiness towards President Museveni and his government for restocking Ajai.
However, UWA still has to install a weather station, fire monitoring gadgets and more tsetse fly traps in order to protect the white Rhinos.
There will be 20 rhinos introduced in Ajai game Reserve in Madi-Okollo District, and after a feasibility study, 30 Rhinos will also be introduced to Kidepo.