Ziwa sanctuary gets second baby rhino in two weeks

Aug 21, 2020

Bella’s baby, who has been named Jabali, is the 27th baby that has been delivered at the sanctuary.

UGANDA  | WILDLIFE

 

Rhino Bella has given Ugandans a reason to be happy after she delivered a bouncing baby at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakitoma, Nakasongola district. "Bella gave birth to the baby on Tuesday," said Angie Genade, the executive director of the Rhino Fund Uganda. The sanctuary covers 7,000 hectares.

The male calf produced by 24-year-old Bella is the second to be born at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in the last two weeks. Bella's baby, who has been named Jabali, is the 27th baby that has been delivered at the sanctuary. Both Bella and Jabali are doing well, according to Genade.

Two weeks ago, Laloyo another rhino gave birth to a baby, Rhoda. Bella's baby brings the number to 32. Mother rhinos carry a pregnancy for 16 months and deliver once in three years, but the mothers at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary produce a baby every two years. Their life expectancy is 45 years. Bella was part of the four pioneer groups of rhinos that were bought from Solio Conservancy in Kenya in the year 2005.

Uganda's population of northern white rhinos and black rhinos was wiped out after relentless poaching in the early 1980s. This was the result of political turmoil and civil unrest in the 1970s and mid-1980s that gave way to state-inspired poaching in the protected areas, including the national parks.

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