On 21st October 2019, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) successfully translocated about 19 Rothschild giraffes from Murchison Falls National Park to Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve. They included 13 females and 6 males, 2 of the females were transferred to Uganda Wildlife Education Center (UWEC)-Entebbe for purposes of conservation education.
The translocation exercise is aimed at establishing a viable, free-ranging Rothschild giraffe population in Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, UWEC and also expand the range of the Rothschild giraffes which in a long run will help boost the tourism sector in Northeastern Uganda, increase revenue collection as well as ensure long term survival of these endangered species. Wildlife translocation is recognized worldwide and serves best as a management tool in conservation especially in managing populations and habitats.
The 19 giraffes were flagged off by Uganda Wildlife Authority Executive Director-Mr. Sam Mwanda and they were transferred from the Northern Bank of Murchison Falls National Park to Pian Upe Wildlife Authority in Northeastern Uganda. UWA spearheaded the translocation exercise with support from the Giraffe Conservation Foundation that is led by Dr. Julian. Makerere University Veterinary School and UWEC.
About Rothschild giraffes
Rothschild giraffes are scientifically known as Giraffa Camelopardalis thrive mostly in savanna grasslands and open woodlands of Uganda and Kenya. Murchison Falls National Park in Northwestern Uganda and Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya are notable areas to see these exceptional wildlife species. Other places to see giraffes in Uganda include Kidepo Valley National Park in the Northeast, Lake Mburo National Park in western Uganda.
Generally, giraffes are the tallest animals and the Rothschild type in particular stretches about 5 to 6 meters high and weigh approximately 1200kgs-for males while females weigh about 850kgs.
About Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is found in the northwest and features as Uganda’s largest of all the ten national parks. It expands up to 3840sq.kms and boasts of its diverse wildlife species including over 1250 Rothschild giraffes, several lions, African bush elephants, buffaloes, leopards, over 451 bird species, huge concentration of hippos, crocodiles and different primate species. Murchison Falls National Park derives its name from Murchison Falls, one of the powerful waterfalls in the world. This waterfall squeezes itself in a narrow gorge of about 7 meters prior to plunging about 43 meters.
About Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve
Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve is located in the Karamoja subregion of Northeastern Uganda. It features as the second-largest protected area in the pearl of Africa with an area coverage of 2788sq.kms. This wildlife reserve is comprised of huge concentration of mammal species including among others the plain zebras, spotted hyenas, roan antelopes, hartebeests, leopard, cheetahs, common elands, black rhinos, giraffes, elephants and many bird species including ostriches.
In summary, translocating giraffes to Pian Upe Wildlife will help boost the tourism sector in this protected area and also the Karamoja subregion.