Rhinos return to Kidepo after 43 years in historic conservation milestone
The historic exercise, flagged off on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, saw the translocation of the first two Southern White Rhinos from Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. A total of eight rhinos are expected to be relocated in this initial phase.
In a landmark moment for Uganda’s wildlife conservation efforts, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has commenced the reintroduction of rhinos to Kidepo Valley National Park, marking the species’ return to the park after more than four decades.
The historic exercise, flagged off on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, saw the translocation of the first two Southern White Rhinos from Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. A total of eight rhinos are expected to be relocated in this initial phase.
Speaking at the flag-off, UWA Executive Director Dr. James Musinguzi described the development as a defining moment in Uganda’s conservation journey.
“This moment marks the beginning of a new rhino story for Kidepo Valley National Park,” he said. “The translocation of these rhinos is the first step in restoring a species that once formed part of the park’s natural heritage.”
The reintroduction aligns with Uganda’s National Rhino Conservation Strategy, which seeks to restore rhino populations within their historical range while strengthening long-term conservation frameworks. According to Dr. Musinguzi, the move is also guided by a comprehensive feasibility study that identified Kidepo as one of the most suitable habitats for rhino reintroduction.
Over the past months, extensive preparations have been undertaken to ensure the success of the exercise. These include the establishment of a secure sanctuary equipped with perimeter fencing, ranger posts, water infrastructure, firebreaks, and monitoring systems to safeguard the animals.
UWA also acknowledged the critical role of conservation partners, including Wild Landscapes East Africa, Northern Rangelands Trust, and Uganda Conservation Foundation, whose support has been instrumental in making the reintroduction possible.
The Commissioner for Biodiversity Management, John Makombo, emphasized the ecological importance of the move, noting that the return of rhinos will help restore the park’s ecological balance.
“Kidepo Valley National Park is one of Uganda’s most intact savannah ecosystems, and the reintroduction of Southern White Rhinos restores a key component of that ecosystem,” he said.
Once in Kidepo, the rhinos will initially be housed in a secure sanctuary where they will be closely monitored by rangers and veterinary teams to ensure proper adaptation to their new environment.
Rhinos once roamed widely across the Kidepo landscape, but intense poaching and insecurity in the late 1970s and early 1980s led to their extinction in the area. The last rhino was killed in Narus Valley in 1983, ending their presence in the park for over 40 years.
Uganda’s broader rhino recovery efforts began in 2005 with a breeding programme at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, following the species’ extinction in the wild. The country now hosts 61 rhinos, thanks to sustained conservation initiatives and recent reinforcements from South Africa.
The return of rhinos to Kidepo is expected to significantly boost biodiversity conservation, enhance tourism potential, and reinforce Uganda’s commitment to restoring endangered wildlife within their natural ecosystems.
