Historic return of rhinos (exterminated by poaching) in Uganda: two animals released after more than 40 years

©Robbie Cheadle via Unsplash

For more than forty years, no rhinos had been seen in northeastern Uganda. The Kidepo Valley National Park had to do without one of its most iconic animals after poaching entirely wiped out the species in the early 1980s.

The last specimen was killed in 1983, an end point for a population that once consisted of hundreds of animals across the country. Now, after decades of absence, history is at a turning point: two southern white rhinos have been transferred to the protected area, the first of a group of eight designated to grow into a stable population.

A complex, long-prepared operation

The move is the first step in a project of gradual reintroduction. The animals come from a ranch specializing in breeding programs and wildlife management, where a repopulation program began in 2005 with a small number of animals imported from Kenya.

Before their arrival, the park was set up with a protected reserve, fencing, monitoring systems, water facilities and special ranger units. The goal is to ensure safety and habituation in a vast and remote area, with open savannas and habitats considered ideal for the species.

A symbol wiped out by poaching

In the 1970s and 1980s, rhinos in Uganda were wiped out by illegal hunting for their horns and meat. The country, which once had approximately 700 animals, lost the species in the wild entirely. The illegal trade in horns, which is still very lucrative, remains a threat. Therefore, the reintroduction is accompanied by permanent surveillance, patrols and tracking technology, designed to prevent history from repeating itself.

Building a population step by step

The project is not limited to this initial transfer. Over the next few years, more rhinos will gradually be released to form a self-sustaining reproductive group. The animals will initially be monitored within the protected area to encourage habituation before any expansion to the entire park. The initiative is part of the national conservation strategy, which aims to return the species to its historic habitats and enhance biodiversity.

A return that changes the ecosystem

The return of the rhinos also has an important ecological significance. These large herbivores help control vegetation and maintain the balance of African savannas. Their return makes the park more ecologically complete and increases the region's tourism potential.

Uganda is currently home to just over 60 rhinos, while there are just over 10,000 southern white rhinos worldwide, a species considered almost endangered. The new chapter for Kidepo begins with two animals, but represents a concrete sign of rebirth after 40 years of silence.
 

(©Uganda Wildlife Authority via GreenMe.It 2026 / Managing Editor: Julie Morgan - The Press Junction / Picture: ©Miguel Bruna via Unsplash)