Uganda Relocates Endangered Nubian Giraffes to Safeguard the Species
In a bold move to protect one of Africa’s most iconic mammals, rangers from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) have begun transferring twelve Nubian giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis camelopardalis) from Murchison Falls National Park to the Ajai Wildlife Reserve in the country’s northwest.
The translocation, carried out in early 2024, aims to establish a genetically viable “seed” population outside the park’s core area, thereby reducing the risk of losing the entire Ugandan giraffe cohort to a single threat.
Why the Giraffes Are Being Moved
Once widespread across northeastern Africa, the Nubian giraffe subspecies dwindled to fewer than 200 individuals in Uganda just over a decade ago. Intensive anti‑poaching patrols, habitat restoration, and community‑based conservation programmes have since helped the population rebound to roughly 350 animals, according to the latest UWA census (2023).
However, growing pressures threaten this recovery:
- Oil and gas exploration: Approximately 40 % of Uganda’s proven oil reserves lie beneath the Murchison Falls landscape, and TotalEnergies commenced drilling for the Tilenga project inside the park in June 2023.
- Human‑wildlife conflict: Expanding settlements and agricultural encroachment fragment giraffe habitats.
- Climate variability: Shifts in rainfall patterns affect the availability of browse species giraffes rely on.
- Invasive plants and bush encroachment: These alter the savanna structure, reducing forage quality.
Patrick Atimnedi, UWA’s deputy commissioner for veterinary services and the lead veterinarian on the translocation, explains the rationale: “When you concentrate a species in one location, any catastrophic event—whether an oil spill, disease outbreak, or severe drought—could wipe it out. By spreading individuals across multiple protected areas, we create a safety net for the subspecies.”
The Translocation Process
Moving the world’s tallest land mammal is logistically complex. Veterinarians first immobilise each giraffe with a combination of etorphine and azaperone, then gently guide the animal onto a custom‑built trailer equipped with padded sides and ventilation. The journey from Murchison Falls to Ajai covers roughly 100 km of mixed savanna and woodland terrain, taking about four hours under careful monitoring.
Upon arrival, the giraffes are released into a 166 km² fenced section of Ajai Wildlife Reserve that has been prepared with water points, native browse species, and increased ranger patrols to deter poachers.
Ecological and Social Benefits
Establishing a new giraffe herd serves multiple conservation goals:
- Genetic diversity: The relocated individuals represent distinct lineages from the Murchison Falls population, enhancing the reserve’s gene pool.
- Habitat restoration: Giraffes act as keystone browsers, helping control woody plant growth and promoting grassland health, which benefits other grazers such as Ugandan kob (Kobus kob thomasi) and buffalo.
- Tourism diversification: Wildlife officials anticipate that giraffe sightings will attract visitors to Ajai, supplementing income from the more established Murchison Falls circuit.
- Community engagement: Revenue‑sharing schemes allocate a portion of park entrance fees to local villages. Workshops have been held to educate residents on the ecological value of giraffes and the dangers of poaching.
Wilson Katabigwa, head warden at Ajai Wildlife Reserve, notes a positive reception: “Even community members who previously participated in poaching activities now welcome the giraffes. Some have organized small celebrations to mark the animals’ return after decades of absence.”
Looking Ahead
UWA plans to monitor the translocated giraffes via satellite collars and regular ground patrols for at least three years. Data collected will inform future translocations of other species, including southern white rhinos (Ceratotherium simum simum) and zebras, which are also slated for reintroduction to Ajai as part of a broader ecological restoration initiative.
While oil development continues in the region, conservationists stress that proactive measures—like the giraffe relocation—can mitigate biodiversity loss. As Atimnedi puts it, “Conservation isn’t about creating options. By spreading the risk, we give Uganda’s natural heritage a fighting chance against whatever challenges lie ahead.”
Sources:
- Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). 2023. National Wildlife Census Report.
- TotalEnergies. 2023. Tilenga Project Update.
- IUCN SSC Giraffe and Okapi Specialist Group. 2022. Status of Nubian Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis camelopardalis) in East Africa.
- Atimnedi, P. et al. 2024. “Translocation of Nubian Giraffes in Uganda: Preliminary Outcomes.” African Journal of Ecology, 62(1), 45‑58.
