Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary In Uganda
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Uganda is one of the magical places in the country known as the home for the rhinos, hosting both black and white rhinos. In Uganda, ziwa rhino sanctuary is the only place that offers the best rhino tracking experience. However one can still view the rhinos in Uganda Wildlife Education Conservation Centre.
There are five species of Rhinos in the world, that’s two African Rhino species and three Asian Rhino species. The African Rhino species includes; black and white Rhino while for the Asian species includes;greater one- horned,Sumatran and Javan Rhino.
Sumatran rhino is the smallest among all the rhinos weighing about 600kgs . White rhinos are the largest rhinos among all the rhino species in the World weighing about 3,500kgs.
The black ,Javan and Sumatran rhinos are classified critically endangered by International Union for Conservation of Nature ( IUCN).
White rhino is placed under category of near threatened with about 16,803 individuals left.The greater one-horned is under vulnerable with about 4,014 individual left.
Both black and white rhinos are all grey in Color and the names can mislead someone. Black rhinos have a pointy udder lip. The white rhino got its name from the African word “wide” referring to the wide mouth that the rhino had and they couldn’t pronounce wide well other than white.
By 1982 all rhinos were wiped out of Uganda and Ziwa rhino sanctuary was established in 2005 in order to reintroduced the southern white rhinos in Uganda. By 2010, Ziwa rhino sanctuary was the only place where one would track the rhinos from in Uganda.
Ziwa rhino sanctuary in Uganda started with 6 rhinos exported from Kenya and USA. But now the population has grown to about 41 rhinos as of June 2024 population.
Location of Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Uganda
Ziwa rhino sanctuary is located in Mukerenge village, Nakasongola District of Uganda. There area is approximately 164 kilometers north of Kampala. It is conveniently situated in the Kafu river basin along the Kampala-Gulu highway. This makes it accessible for visitors traveling to and fro Kampala or going to Murchison Falls National Park.
Why Lango tribe in Uganda use Rhino as their totem
The rhinos are courageous animals in the jungle and they are not malicious. They only attack furiously where they have been threatened and so is the Lango people in Uganda. Lango tribe only cause trouble where someone has looked for trouble and they are fearless people.
The rhinos are known for being a very peaceful animal and so is the Lango people .They are very peaceful and the most generous and hospitable tribe when not provoked.
Rhinos are known for having a lot of strength and very good at fighting even feared by the lion once it charges. The lango use rhino horn as a trophy to declare victory in any battle they are going to face. They mention the name “Amuka” which refers to rhino in the local language in order to call for unity. This makes them more furious and fearless so as to face the battle like a rhino without any fear but determination to destroy completely.
What makes rhino different from other animals
The horns of the rhinos are made of keratin which make them to be different from the others. The keratin is highly rich in protein. It is the same material found in human hair and nails.
The horn of the rhinos regrow a thing that is so unique.
Diet
Rhinos are herbivores that survive on a variety of plants for nourishment. They graze on leaves and the fruits of the trees, feeding on shrubs as well. Black rhino prefer bushes and trees while white rhino basically graze on grass.
Rhinos have a unique digestive system with a hind gut fermentation process. This allows them to extract nutrients from their fibrous diet efficiently. The stomach of the rhino is an interesting machine. After chewing the foliage, it moves through the digestive tract, to a hindquarter chamber.
In this chamber, the remaining plant life is broken down by the microorganisms, and move it along the colon. The rhinos intestinal organs are extremely large in regard to other land mammals. This helps it to increase survival chances during drought season and when food has become scarce.
Life span
The white rhino can live up to 40-50 years. The lifespan of the black rhino is a little bit shorter than the white rhino though some of them can stay up to 50 years as well. Their lifespan ranges from 35-50 years.
Gestation period
The gestation period of the white rhino ranges from 16-18 months. It usually gives birth to a single calf, weighing between 40-65kgs.
Black Rhino’s gestation Period is approximately 15-16 months. It also delivers a single calf, which can weigh around 35-50 kgs.
Nature of the rhinos
Rhinos are solitary animals and they like being alone basically the male rhinos. Unless they are on heat or when taking care of the calve. Rhinos have very poor sight but with a strong sense of smell.
Rhinos are territorial animal and they use their dung to mark their territory since each rhino has a unique smell of the dung. The calves born stay with the mother up to 3 years before becoming independent. For an amazing experience with the black and white rhinos in Uganda, book your trip with Beyond sight safaris
