Uganda launches “Name a Rhino” conservation campaign
The Uganda Wildlife Authority has launched a "Name a Rhino" campaign to raise $11 million for rhino conservation. Unveiled on 22 September 2024 at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the initiative allows individuals and organisations to name 12 white rhinos.
Tourism Minister Tom Butime emphasised the campaign's importance for protecting rhinos, whose population is recovering after near-extinction in the 1970s and 1980s. Uganda now boasts 45 rhinos, with 43 at Ziwa Sanctuary and two at the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre.
The campaign will culminate in a naming ceremony in March 2025, aiming to boost both conservation efforts and tourism in the country. Bashir Hangi, UWA's communications director, encouraged widespread participation, stating that safeguarding rhinos is a collective responsibility.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary has seen steady growth in its rhino population since introducing six white rhinos in 2004. Sharif Nsubuga, a ranger guide, provided insights into rhino growth and habits, noting that adults can weigh up to three tonnes and consume 70 kilograms of grass daily.
The "Name a Rhino" campaign is not just a fundraising effort but a call to action for Ugandans and international conservationists to invest in the future of these endangered animals.
Source: The Observer
