Anyone could do anything to save the various endangered wild creatures. On Saturday 23rd of October, 19 teams of six people each, risked the frightening rapids along the upper Nile near Bujagali falls to raise funds to replenish the depleted rhinoceros in Uganda. Once home to thousands of rhinos, Uganda unfortunately lost the very last rhino by 1982 not mentioning the period of immense poaching during the civil unrest. Since 1997, the government has been working with Rhino Fund Uganda, a non governmental organization to reinvent the rhino via a breeding programme operated at Ziwa Ranchers in Nakasongola district.
One of the famous drives through which funds are raised to operate the ranch is the annual Rhino Raft race. The race involves water rafting teams’ competition through the scary rapids close to Bujagali falls. Last year, 24 teams participated in the race and $10,000 (abt shs 22m) was elevated. On Saturday, Team Wrangler from Twin Tyre Goodyear won the race that saw 19 teams participation. The Jinja based Two Friends Restaurant, Bar and Guesthouse came second and another corporate team All About Uganda was announced the second runner up. The Rhino Fund team failed to defend their first position that they gained at last years’ race. Notably, more than shs 20m was collected.
There were previously six rhinos in the ranch according to Angie Genade the Executive Director of Rhino Fund Uganda. Thankfully, three more infant bulls were born this year! The plan is to raise more than forty rhinos and move some to protected locations like Murchison Falls and Kidepo National Parks. Genade stated there’s need to import more rhinos to speed up the breeding with intentions to build better genetics. Nevertheless the shortage of money is still an impediment. She pointed out that her agents had been speaking to senior executives within the UK to raise money for bringing in about 12 rhinos.
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