BABY BOOM: Two Baby Rhinos Born At Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

April 15, 2023

2 minute read

By AWORI ESTHER LUCY
Kampala, Uganda [SHIFTMEDIA] Two male rhinos were born in two days at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary bringing the total number of rhinos at the sanctuary to 38.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority in a statement noted that Malaika gave birth to her fourth calf on April 12, 2023 while her sister Uhuru gave birth to her third calf on April 13, 2023 at the sanctuary.

The two were produced by Nandi a female rhino that was brought into the country as a donation from Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Florida, USA in 2006 at the age of 7 years together with Hassan, a male rhino that was aged 5 years then. This pair was part of the first six white rhinos that were re-introduced in Uganda.
Commenting on the births, the UWA Executive Director Sam Mwandha expressed happiness that UWA’s conservation efforts are bearing fruits. “This is what any one in conservation wants to see, the fruits of our efforts! We have come from a long way since 1983 when rhinos became extinct in Uganda, our rhino reintroduction and breeding efforts are there for everyone to see”, he said.

The new births bring to four individuals born by Malaika and three by Uhuru. Other offspring of Malaika are Noelle, Elias and Pipo while those of Uhuru are Nakitoma and Rae Ruparelia.
Uganda Wildlife Authority is currently managing the rhino at Ziwa Sanctuary jointly with Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch.
UWA is currently undertaking preliminary activities that would lead to the reintroduction of white rhinos to the wild at Ajai Wildlife Reserve. in West Nile. The goal of rhino reintroduction is to establish viable populations of wild rhinos in Ajai Wildlife Reserve.
The reintroduction is in line with objective 2 of the Uganda Wildlife Policy 2014; to sustainably manage wildlife populations in and outside Protected areas. A ten-year National Rhino Conservation and Management Strategy 2018 – 2028 was developed to guide the country’s rhino conservation program. This plan is the blue print that is guiding there introduction of rhinos at Ajai.