Giraffes given a new home in Uganda to escape oil drilling in the country's largest park

What the report says

ABC News, carrying an Associated Press report by Patrick Onen, reported that Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers have begun moving 12 endangered Nubian giraffes from Murchison Falls National Park to Ajai Wildlife Reserve. The operation started Tuesday in Uganda’s largest national park and involves transporting the animals about 106 kilometers, or 65 miles, to a reserve within the same broader conservation zone.

The relocation is intended to create another viable population of Nubian giraffes while easing risks to their current habitat. According to the report, an estimated 40% of Uganda’s oil deposits are in the Murchison Falls area and inside the park, where oil-related activity has increased. TotalEnergies began drilling in the Tilenga project area in June 2023, as Uganda seeks to produce its first oil from the region despite long-running environmental concerns.

Patrick Atimnedi, the Uganda Wildlife Authority assistant commissioner for veterinary services, said the move is meant to reduce pressure on the giraffes’ habitat if drilling causes major damage. He also cited tourism development, climate change, bush encroachment and invasive species as factors behind the decision to expand the animals’ range.

Ajai Wildlife Reserve, established in 1937, covers 166 square kilometers and lost much of its wildlife during poaching and insecurity in the early 1980s. Officials said the giraffe introduction is part of a wider restoration effort that also includes rhinos, buffalo, zebras and Uganda kobs. The reserve has added fencing and rangers, and local communities are expected to benefit from tourism revenue if the conservation effort succeeds.