22 giraffes to be relocated from Murchison Falls NP

A three-weeks operation to relocate 22 giraffes in Murchison Falls National Park started Tuesday with the capture of five giraffes, according to UWA's Public Relations Manager, Jossy Muhangi.

The translocation will involve 20 giraffes to be moved from the northern parts of Murchison Falls National Park to the Southern sector.

Another two giraffes will be relocated from the northern parts of Murchison Falls National Park to the Uganda wildlife Education Center (UWEC) formerly Entebbe Zoo.

Last week, a team comprising of officials from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) formerly Entebbe Zoo set off from Kampala and has been camping at the largest park in Uganda.

The team has identified the giraffes to be captured and kept in a boma (a large enclosure) to prepare them for the subsequent movement meant to expand the range for the giraffes. Currently, giraffes do not live in the southern parts of Murchison Falls National Park.    

Giraffe Conservation Foundation has supported UWA and UWEC with some of the translocation equipment.

The two giraffes moved to the wildlife education center in Entebbe will be used for education on wildlife education and awareness.

In addition, the center is a gateway into Uganda's wilderness and has a semblance of what Uganda offers in its national parks.