Good news from Uganda: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary has welcomed a third baby rhino!
2010 is off to a promising start at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where a white rhino calf was born on January 2 – the third baby rhino following more than 25 years of regional extinction.
Angie Genade, Executive Director of Rhino Fund Uganda, said via New Vision that there are now a total of nine rhinos residing at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
We are excited about the birth and the prospects it will bring to the sanctuary.
We have three adult males and three females as well as two baby males born last year.
2009: Historic year for Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
In 2009′s historic rhino birth at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the first baby rhino was named Obama, after U.S. President Barack Obama. The second calf was also a male, Augustu (pictured above).
The naming of this baby New Year rhino will reportedly be a fundraising event for the sanctuary.
… the naming will likely to be put out for bid with corporate entities or individuals being able to support the conservation and breeding efforts on Ziwa with a substantial cash boost, against having their chosen name attached to the latest little rhino.
Rhinos in Uganda
Southern white rhinos (Ceratotherium simum) have been extinct in Uganda since 1982, when the last one was murdered by poachers. Sadly, organized rhino poaching syndicates are still operating throughout Africa, fueled and funded by insatiable Asian demands (notably China and Vietnam) for illegal rhino horn.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary was established in 1997 to reintroduce the rhinoceros into Uganda. The rhinos are protected by an electric fence that surrounds the sanctuary, as well as rangers and askaris who are with the rhinos 24 hours day.
To learn more about how you can help Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, please visit rhinofund.org.
Photo: Baby white rhino “Augustu” – Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
About Rhishja Cota-Larson
