Uganda: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is the only place in Uganda with rhinos. The entire population of once abundant rhinos was destroyed by poaching in the 70s and 80s. Almost thirty years later in early 2000, seven rhinos where introduces to the Ziwa Sanctuary – 2 came from San Diego Zoo in the USA and 5 came from the Solio Reserve in Kenya (see post #57). There are now 15 rhinos at the reserve here and unlike other places in Africa, you go on a walking safari, getting to within 7 meters (20 feet) of the animals – an incredible experience! The first male baby rhino in Uganda was born in 2009, his mother was American and his father was Kenyan – so naturally the baby rhino was named Obama. Obama is now almost 6 years old (in his second 4-year term) and has reached maturity. Unfortunately, other male rhinos don’t let him mate yet and often beat him up (must be Republicans). The young Obama is currently working on a universal healthcare plan for all Ugandan rhinos as well as a proposal to allow various gazelles who jumped the reserve fence illegally (in search of better grass) to stay.