The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has begun the process of reintroducing white rhinos to the Ajai Wildlife Reserve, located in the West Nile region in the northwest of the country, local media revealed on Monday (01).

This follows the successful two-day relocation of 200 kobs and 50 buffaloes to the reserve, which UWA completed last Friday. The aim of the exercise is to clear the area of excessive vegetation and facilitate the repopulation of the wildlife reserve ahead of the introduction of the Southern White Rhino, said the press, quoted by the Sputnik Africa.

"By reintroducing common species like kobs and buffalo, the government wants to increase the reserve's capacity to effectively manage diverse wildlife populations. Rhinos are herbivores; they eat grass, but the kobs and buffaloes we brought there eat everything, including tree branches," said Bashir Hangi, a spokesman for UWA, quoted by the media.

According to the Ugandan authorities, the reintroduction of goats and buffaloes will also increase the diversity of the reserve's tourist itinerary.

"We don't just want to keep rhinos; we want a variety of animals if we want to improve tourism in the region. We can't just look at rhinos," Hangi added.