Rangers in Uganda's Murchison Falls National Park have begun translocating 12 endangered Nubian giraffes to Ajai Wildlife Reserve, a move aimed at preserving the species amid growing oil drilling activities in the country's largest national park. The operation, expected to last several days, is part of a broader effort to protect biodiversity and enhance tourism.
An estimated 40% of Uganda's oil deposits are located within or near Murchison Falls National Park. In June 2023, TotalEnergies commenced oil drilling in the Tilenga project area within the park, prompting environmental concerns. Oil drilling activities, including the movement of heavy machinery, have increased in the park despite opposition from environmentalists.
Patrick Atimnedi, assistant commissioner for veterinary services at the Uganda Wildlife Authority, stated that establishing new giraffe populations in protected areas can reduce pressure on existing habitats that may be impacted by drilling. He cited oil and gas activities, tourism development, climate change, bush encroachment, and invasive species as factors contributing to the shrinking habitat for giraffes and other wildlife.
The 106-kilometer (65-mile) journey aims to create a self-sustaining giraffe population approximately 100 kilometers away from the Murchison Falls area. The translocation exercise involves carefully directing giraffes into trucks, where they are provided with tree branches for sustenance during transport.
At Ajai Wildlife Reserve, the giraffes will be introduced to an environment undergoing ecological restoration. The reserve, which once had a diverse wildlife population before widespread poaching and insecurity in the early 1980s, is also seeing the reintroduction of other species, including southern white rhinos, buffalo, zebras, and Uganda kobs. Wildlife authorities are optimistic about Ajai's potential to support Uganda's growing wildlife population, despite ongoing threats.
Efforts to secure Ajai Wildlife Reserve include fencing parts of the area and increasing ranger presence to combat poaching. Local communities are involved in conservation efforts and benefit from tourism revenues, fostering a collaborative approach to wildlife protection. The introduction of giraffes, which have been absent from the area for decades, is also expected to boost the local economy through tourism.