UWA translocates three Nubian Giraffes to Ajai Wildlife Reserve

The translocation forms part of UWA’s long-term conservation strategy of restoring degraded ecosystems, expanding wildlife populations and ensuring Uganda’s protected areas continue contributing to biodiversity conservation, research and sustainable tourism.

Pakwach, Uganda: The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has today translocated three Nubian giraffes from Murchison Falls National Park to Ajai Wildlife Reserve in a move aimed at increasing the reserve’s giraffe population, restoring biodiversity and enhancing its tourism appeal.

The exercise was led by Dr Patrick Atimned, UWA’s Assistant Commissioner for Veterinary Services, who said the translocation is being undertaken in line with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) guidelines, which require scientific evidence and careful ecological assessment before wildlife relocations are carried out.

According to Dr Atimned, the initiative forms part of UWA’s broader strategy to restore wildlife populations in protected areas where species numbers remain low while improving ecosystem health.

UWA has been implementing wildlife translocations since 2015, when the first batch of Nubian giraffes was moved from Murchison Falls National Park to Lake Mburo National Park and the then Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC).

The programme has since been credited with establishing viable giraffe populations outside Murchison Falls National Park, contributing to species conservation and expanding wildlife viewing opportunities for tourists.

The planned giraffe relocation comes amid renewed conservation efforts to restore Ajai Wildlife Reserve as one of northern Uganda’s premier wildlife destinations.

Earlier this year, UWA successfully reintroduced four southern white rhinos to the reserve from Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, marking Uganda’s first-ever translocation of rhinos from one protected area to another. The exercise forms the first phase of a national programme that aims to establish a breeding population of 20 rhinos in Ajai under the National Rhino Conservation Strategy.

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In June 2026, the reserve also received its first batch of zebras, another milestone in the ongoing ecological restoration programme designed to rebuild wildlife diversity, strengthen ecosystems and increase the area’s attractiveness to tourists.

The restoration programme has also been accompanied by investments in security, management infrastructure and habitat improvement to support the return of wildlife species that historically inhabited the reserve.

Conservation experts say introducing Nubian giraffes to Ajai Wildlife Reserve will not only improve the genetic diversity and resilience of the species but also enhance the reserve’s tourism potential by increasing the variety of wildlife available for visitors.