
Uganda wild life Authority released Rothschild giraffes into Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve as part of the re-introduction exercise that will see a total of 15 giraffes (5male and 10 females) reintroduced into the reserve. The giraffes have been translocated from Murchison falls National Park.
The three-week translocation exercise will enhance the long term survival of the species; restore natural biodiversity and long term economic benefits to the entire wildlife conservation value chain. It will also enable communities with cultural attachment to the giraffe to participate in its conservation, enhance the conservation value of Pian Upe wildlife reserve by reintroducing one of its indigenous species that had become extinct there and diversify tourism products with associated ecological and economic benefits and re-enforce/supplement dwindling populations to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem balance and utilization.
The translocation is being undertaken with support from the Giraffe Conservation foundation and Chayenne Mountain Zoo in the United States. Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC) and Makerere University are also participating in the Exercise.
About Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve
Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve is the largest Wildlife Reserve and the second largest Protected Area after Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda, Covering an area of 2,043 kmSq. It was established by a Statutory Instrument SI No. 220 of 1964 and amended by SI No. 136 of 1965 as a reserve. It is located in Nakapiripiriti and Amudat districts and bordered by Napak, Katakwi, Kumi, Kween, Bulambuli and Bukedea Districts