Uganda Kobs being introduced to the wild at Ajai Wildlife Reserve in Madi Okollo district on Friday

URN
 
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has initiated the translocation of approximately 200 Uganda Kobs from Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve in Kikuube to Ajai Wildlife Reserve in Madi Okollo district. The translocation, which commenced on Friday afternoon, is part of habitat manipulation efforts in preparation for the reintroduction of White rhinos at Ajai Wildlife Reserve in 2025.  

Fred Kiiza, the chief warden in Murchison Falls National Park, explained that the translocation exercise is scheduled to continue this week, with additional batches of Kobs being relocated. He emphasized that besides preparing the habitat for white rhinos, the exercise aims to diversify wildlife species at Ajai Wildlife Reserve to enhance tourism in the Madi Okollo district and the entire West Nile region.

Joanne Aniku Okia, the Madi Okollo district Woman MP, commended the government and the Uganda Wildlife Authority for fulfilling their promise to replenish the once-abandoned Ajai Wildlife Reserve with wildlife species ahead of the anticipated return of the white rhinos.

Scovia Acan, the female councilor for Pawor sub-county, highlighted the longstanding demand from the people of Madi Okollo district and the wider West Nile sub-region for restocking Ajai Wildlife Reserve to bolster the development of the tourism sector in the area.

In November 2023, UWA announced a roadmap indicating that the reintroduction of White Rhinos to their original habitat at Ajai Wildlife Reserve would take place in 2025. Covering an area of 166 square kilometers, Ajai Wildlife Reserve is renowned for its unique flora and fauna and was previously home to Southern White Rhinos in Uganda.