Southern white rhinos have returned to the wild in Uganda for the first time in over 40 years after being hunted to extinction in the country. Officials plan to gradually release more white rhinos back into the forest.
On 17 Mar 2026 GMT+7, two southern white rhinos were reintroduced into the wild at Uganda's Kidepo Valley National Park. This marks the first time in over four decades that white rhinos have returned to the wild after being hunted to extinction for their horns and meat.
These two rhinos are the first group among eight planned for reintroduction, aiming to restore the rhino population in the park. Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), responsible for the relocation, stated the last rhino in this area was killed in 1983.
According to Reuters, during the turmoil of that period, poachers killed every rhino in Kidepo and other national parks across Uganda, which once hosted about 700 of these giant animals. This loss caused the species to disappear completely from Uganda's natural environment.
James Musinguzi, Executive Director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority, said, "This moment marks the beginning of a new chapter in the legend of rhinos at Kidepo Valley National Park."
Musinguzi added that the initiative follows studies assessing habitat suitability, ecological needs, and safety conditions, which identified Kidepo as one of the best locations for successfully reintroducing this species into the wild.
UWA revealed that a rhino sanctuary has been prepared with perimeter fencing, access roads, firebreaks, ranger facilities, water systems, and monitoring technology to ensure these animals are effectively protected and cared for.
The two southern white rhinos were transferred from a private livestock farm in Nakasongola District, about 100 kilometers north of Kampala, the capital. This farm has been breeding white rhinos since 2005, after importing four individuals from a Kenyan wildlife sanctuary.
However, activists report that poaching remains a challenge in Uganda, with authorities having arrested and prosecuted several individuals possessing ivory, pangolins, and other endangered species.
The illegal rhino horn trade remains highly profitable, driven by demand for traditional medicine and as a social status symbol in several Asian countries.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the southern white rhino as "Near Threatened," noting their population is declining. A 2020 survey recorded just over 10,000 southern white rhinos remaining in the wild.
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Source:bbc