After the extinction of both the Black and Southern White Rhinos, due to different factors such as poaching and political instability, the White Rhinos were reintroduced under a project aimed at reintroducing them to their former homes and protecting them from extinction. Once a ranch and currently known as Ziwa Rhino sanctuary (Rhino haven), in 2002, the Rhino Fund Uganda joined hands with the Roy family, who were the cattle ranch owners, but it was later turned into a fenced protected area (sanctuary). In the year 2005 - 2006, the White rhino reintroduction project officially kicked off with the introduction of 6 White Rhinos, of which 4 were imported from Kenya in 2005, and the 2 were donated by Disney’s Animal Kingdom (United States of America) in 2006. History was made when the first baby white rhino was given birth to in the year 2009 at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is located in Nakasongola district.
The Rhino population has been growing steadily under the protection and conservation policies of the Uganda Wildlife Authority and other partners since then. Towards the end of last year (2025), in partnership with other African National Parks, Uganda received over 8 Rhinos, which were obtained from South Africa. Adding this number to the present Rhino population, this made a total of about 61 rhinos, giving Uganda the stability to start distributing Rhinos in places they once called home but had become extinct. Here is all you need to know about Rhino redistribution/ reintroduction in Uganda.
Where are the rhinos being transferred from and to in Uganda?
After many years of extinction, rhinos are finally being reintroduced to their once home in different parts of the country (Uganda). Earlier this year, in January, the first transfer of Southern White Rhinos from Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, which is the only breeding protected area, was done. About 4 southern white rhinos were transferred to Ajai Wild Reserve, which was once their home. These four white rhinos are now under observation to see how they adapt to the living conditions in their new environment. Once they adopt properly, then the initiation of transferring more than 16 southern white rhinos will commence, since the plan is to relocate/ reintroduce a total number of about 20 Southern White Rhinos from Ziwa Rhino sanctuary to Ajai Wild Reserve.
The second White Rhino Transfer was done this very year in March from Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to Kidepo Valley National Park, which was also once home. The initial plan is to relocate or transfer about 8 White Rhinos back to Kidepo Valley National Park, but for now, only 2 rhinos were taken, so that they are monitored all the time to see the progress of their adaptation to the new environment. Bring back white rhinos to Kidepo Valley National Park was done to turn this travel destination into a Big Five destination (where tourists can spot all the big five at once).
The Uganda Wildlife Authority, along with other partners, has gone ahead to do a number of things/ enforcements to ensure that these wild animals (White Rhinos) are safe, and history does not repeat itself. Some of these enforcements / things include calling upon the nearby communities to report all the poachers seen, educating the nearby communities about the beauty and benefits of these rhinos, putting up more security fences on the park boundaries, deploying more game rangers in the parks, and also monitoring each and every movement of the rhinos with the help of the tracking devices which were put in their horns.
How are the White Rhinos moved?
After a long observation and study, the rhinos to be transferred or relocated are marked, on the day of transfer these rhinos are tricklized and put to a deep sleep, their eyes are covered and ears as well then, they are carried using cranes and put on specifically designed trucks to transfer wildlife which are always accompanied by a team of veterinaries and conservationists or rangers from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Upon arrival at the transfer destination, these rhinos are checked by the group or team of veterinarians, and tracking devices are inserted into their horns, then released into the wild.
So, in case you happen to visit any of the two tourist destinations in Uganda, you are most probably to spot the white rhinos in their new yet were once their homes. In case you are interested in seeing these amazing creatures in their natural habitats, all you have to do is book with us or contact us now. In case of any questions, we will be glad to help in any way possible.