Giraffes given a new home in Uganda to escape oil drilling in the countr…

Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda — On a cold morning in Uganda’s largest national park, rangers chat and sing to lift their spirits ahead of a daunting wildlife project: moving the Nubian giraffe to a new home. The effort, aimed at preserving the species amid escalating threats, marks a pivotal step in Uganda’s conservation strategy.

Rangers at Murchison Falls National Park began translocating 12 endangered Nubian giraffes to Ajai Wildlife Reserve, a 166-square-kilometer (64-square-mile) sanctuary 65 miles away. The operation, expected to last a couple of days, seeks to safeguard the animals from the encroaching pressures of oil drilling, climate change, and habitat fragmentation. Uganda’s oil sector has expanded significantly in recent years, with 40% of the country’s oil deposits located in the Murchison Falls area. In June 2023, TotalEnergies initiated drilling in the Tilenga project within the park, sparking concerns among conservationists.

Patrick Atimnedi, assistant commissioner for veterinary services at the Uganda Wildlife Authority, emphasized the necessity of the move. “This is shrinking the habitat of wildlife here, but especially giraffes,” he said, describing the animals’ towering stature and vulnerability to environmental shifts. By establishing a “seed population” in Ajai, authorities aim to diversify the giraffes’ range and reduce reliance on a single ecosystem. “Having a seed population somewhere about 100 kilometers away… is the right conservation decision to make,” Atimnedi added.

The translocation process involved carefully guiding three giraffes into trucks equipped with tree branches for sustenance during the journey. Upon arrival at Ajai, the animals were greeted by rangers and local communities eager to witness their return. Ajai, established in 1937, had once hosted a thriving wildlife population but suffered devastating losses in the 1980s due to poaching and political instability. Today, the reserve is undergoing ecological restoration, with the giraffes joining reintroduced species like southern white rhinos, buffalo, and Uganda kobs.

Wilson Katamigwa, senior warden at Ajai, highlighted the reserve’s progress. “The animals are now doing very well and are multiplying. Many are now pregnant. They are spreading all over the reserve,” he said, noting the expansion of wildlife beyond the electric fence. Conservation efforts include increased ranger presence, community education, and revenue-sharing initiatives to incentivize local stewardship. “The community is aware, the vigilance is high, and I am sure they are going to take care of the animals because they belong to the local community, too,” said Moses Ayoti, a resident near the reserve.

The project aligns with broader goals to mitigate threats to Uganda’s biodiversity. Oil exploration, tourism development, and invasive species have all contributed to habitat degradation, prompting authorities to prioritize population diversification. Ajai’s role as a conservation hub is further bolstered by its historical significance and potential to drive economic growth through ecotourism. “The big dream is that we want to see the economy of this place growing bigger… using tourism,” Katamigwa said.

As the giraffes settle into their new environment, the success of the translocation will depend on sustained collaboration between wildlife authorities, local communities, and conservation partners. The move underscores a delicate balance between industrial development and environmental preservation, a challenge facing many African nations grappling with resource extraction and ecological fragility.