SEEKING ADDITIONAL LAND FOR RHINO CONSERVATION.
To boost Rhino conservation in Madi Okollo district, UWA is considering acquiring additional land for the expansion of Ajai Wildlife Reserve.
After UWA announced plans to reintroduce the White Rhinos to Ajai Wildlife Reserve, land expansion is acquired. The land lies in southern part of wildlife reserve next to Pawor Seed Secondary School covering an area of 26.58 square kilometers.
“The need for additional land at the wildlife reserve is a recommendation of their rhino habitat feasibility study that found out that the current state of the reserve cannot support substantial rhino breeding.” the Director in Charge of Conservation at Uganda Wildlife Authority John Makombo explains. However the proposed land by now is occupied by the Lali community and other neighboring communities.
What challenges did UWA face in acquiring the land?
Although the land for Rhinos is expanded, Makombo still worries about poaching challenge that they have been facing in Ajai Wildlife Reserve that is caused by community members. Some Rhinos were killed by poachers however the criminals are punished.
To negotiations and compensation to the community landowners, the acquisition of additional land from the community for Rhino conservation is subject.
What are the solutions towards UWA in acquiring the land?
According to Patrick Atiku, the Ogoko sub-county LCV councilor, he requested UWA to first compensate 11 households who are settled inside Ajai Wildlife before embarking on the acquisition of additional land.
“There is a need for community sensitization since most of the locals are proposing gazettement of the wildlife reserve.” Siraj Ondoga, the Rhino camp town council LCV councilor notes.
“To move cautiously in their bid to acquire additional land for rhino conservation since there is still a lot of apprehension about the past acquisition of land at Ajai Wildlife Reserve.” Joanne Aniku, the Madi-Okolo Woman MP has advised UWA.
About Ajai Wildlife Reserve
Ajai Wildlife Reserve was a home to 60 of Uganda’s 80 remaining white rhinos before it was gazette in 1965. However currently, Ajai Wildlife Reserve spans 166 square kilometers. The Wildlife reserve is protected and managed by Uganda Wildlife Authority that is a government agency in Uganda. The reserve lies in northern part of Uganda safari in western part of Albert Nile near Arua district. The name Ajai wildlife reserve was derived from the local chef called Ajai who was leading the local communities back in 1930s hence the name.
The hidden treasures in Ajai wildlife reserve and known to be white Rhinos which have been recorded as one of the big five mammals in Uganda and second biggest land mammal from Elephant weighing 5000kgs and 6000kgs respectively. Rhinos take a period of about 15-16 months of pregnancy and poorly in sight until a distance of 30 meters however have high sense of smell and hearing.
Apart from the Rhinos in Ajai wildlife reserve , other more species can be spotted like primates like Olive baboons, velvet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, warthogs, Sitatungas, lions, Lelwel Hartebeest, Leopards, Blue duikers, zebras, Common Duiker, the Oribis, as well as Uganda Kobs among others. Besides mammals and primates, there are several aquatic Wildlife Species such as the Hippos and the Crocodiles and other reptiles such as the Pythons.
