Sub-Saharan Africa
Wildlife conservation in the islands to Australia’s near north and into the Pacific
In the Oceania region, wildlife species have small and restricted ranges that increase their vulnerability to introduced invasive species and habitat loss. Zoos Victoria’s global conservation partners are implementing solutions to enable a sustainable future for wildlife and people.
Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
Providing sustainable alternatives to human activities that threaten gorillas and their forests.
The Mountain Gorilla only lives in Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Collaboration between the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and Rwanda Development Board is ensuring that the Mountain Gorilla is the only species of great ape whose numbers are increasing.
Our partnership, which started in 2019, focuses on the community programs in north-west Rwanda that provide sustainable alternatives to human activities that threaten gorillas and their forests:
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increase the resilience of local communities, such as improved living conditions and expanded food production
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support community-led action plans that empower local people to make conservation decisions
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inspire future conservationists through education initiatives in primary and secondary schools
Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre
Leading conservation education in Uganda.
The Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC) started as a rescue centre for sick and injured animals in Entebbe in 1952. It has evolved into Uganda's leading zoo and an organisation that is driven by conservation education.
Our partnership with UWEC started in 2019 and supports:
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strengthened animal management capabilities
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conservation breeding
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updating animal rescue and release protocols and new equipment
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development of conservation education materials and implementing them in schools and communities
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development of ecotourism programs in the Makanaga Wetlands near Entebbe.
Kidepo Valley Rhino Re-establishment
Returning rhinos to the wild in Uganda.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority and WildLandscapes East Africa are collaborating to establish a dedicated rhino sanctuary within Kidepo Valley National Park. Rhinos once roamed this landscape in northern Uganda, but they were wiped out over 40 years ago. This program is part of Uganda's National Rhino Conservation and Management Strategy, which prioritises the reintroduction of rhinos to restore lost biodiversity, strengthen conservation efforts, and drive economic growth in the region.
Our partnership is supporting the:
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establishment of a fully operational rhino sanctuary in Kidepo Valley National Park
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expansion of Uganda's white rhino population through the introduction of 20 Southern White Rhinos
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development of a comprehensive reintroduction plan for Black Rhinos