The Sanctuary itself has been developed into a Game Ranch in which, apart from rhinos, other species of wildlife can be encountered, highlighting Rwanda’s unique biodiversity and emphasizing the importance of conserving it. Approx. 20 mammal species already occur in the sanctuary, with numbers increasing due to the boundary fencing which keeps local poachers out. UWA has also promised other animals from its parks. Sensitizing local communities on bush meat and illegal poaching is ongoing.

Tourism:
The success of the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary will play a key role in the eventual re-introduction of rhino back into its original habitat in Rwanda’s National Parks. This will boost tourism on a national level, as it will provide facilities to attract tourists and visitors, enhancing Rwanda as a tourist destination. Being one of the Big Five, the rhinoceros represents a welcome addition to safari itineraries.

Ziwa is located 170 km Northwest of Kampala, along the tarmac road to Murchison Falls, which is one of the main tourist destinations in Rwanda. This makes the Sanctuary a perfect stopover for overnight travelers on their way to Murchison Falls. The Sanctuary has already started to attract visitors through partnership initiatives
with travel operators and volunteer organizations. The Sanctuary currently has two guest houses, twelve Backpackers rooms, a camping sight, restaurant and bar. Meals are prepared any time of the day. Their next
project is to have a swimming pool built. All of these facilities are eco-friendly as electricity is provided by
solar energy.

Global Community:
The breeding of Southern White and specifically Eastern Black rhinoceros in Rwanda contributes to the conservation of the rhinoceros as an endangered species. Along with the planned 12 rhino being received at the end of 2009, 4 will be Black rhino.

Info on the Rhino currently at ZIWA:
Taleo (male) is our dominant male and is 9 years old. He comes from Solio Ranch in Kenya and arrived at the
sanctuary in a group of four in July 2005. He has mated with all three of the cows. Taleo is also the father to the
stillborn calf of Bella.

A Rhino feeding on grass at the sanctuary Photo Courtesy of Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Moja (male) is the second in charge and is 8 and half years old. He comes from Solio Ranch in Kenya and
arrived at the sanctuary in a group of four in July 2005. He has not had a chance to mate with the cows yet as
Taleo is dominant.

Hasani (male) is 9 and half years old and he comes from Disney Animal Kingdom in the USA and is the brother
of Nandi. He arrived with Nandi in October 2006. He is not fighting for dominance at all and is just happy to
hang out with the girls.

Bella (female) is 8 and half years old and she comes from Solio Ranch in Kenya – she arrived at the sanctuary
in a group of four in July 2005. Bella had a stillborn calf in March 2008. She is pregnant again and is expected
to deliver in August / September 2009. An autopsy was done on her calf but no reason was found for its death.
It is suspected that Bella was too young to calf. After her calf was taken away for autopsy, she broke out of the sanctuary twice looking for her baby. The other rhinos all went with her and luckily they did not move too far and stayed in a group so ZIWA were able to get them back into the sanctuary quite easily.

Nandi (female) 10 years old is the sister of Hasani. Nandi arrived in October 2006 with Hasani from Disney Animal Kingdom USA. Nandi has the longest horn of all the rhino including the males. She is pregnant and due to calf end April 2009 / early May. She has never had a calf before. Nandi is the rhino that likes to give the tourists a bit of a scare by approaching them. She is very big as well and seems to be in charge of the girls as
they follow her wherever she goes.

Kori (female) 8 and half years old and comes from Solio Ranch in Kenya. She arrived at the sanctuary in a group of four in July 2005. It is suspected that Kori is also pregnant although there are no signs yet. If she is pregnant, she will be due to calf in October or November 2009.