KARAMOJA, Uganda (AP) — Ugandan wildlife authorities have reintroduced rhinos into a remote protected area where they were once poached into extinction, an event seen by conservationists as a milestone in efforts to support the recovery of a species threatened by poaching.
On Tuesday, two southern white rhinos from a private ranch in the East African country were reintroduced into Kidepo Valley National Park in the country's northeast. Two more rhinos in metallic crates arrived there on Thursday.
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A rhinoceros stands in a transportation crate as it is relocated to Kidepo Valley National Park in north-eastern Uganda, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Dipak)
Rangers prepare a rhinoceros for transport from the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to Kidepo Valley National Park in north-eastern Uganda, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Dipak)
A southern white rhinoceros stands outside a transportation crate at Kidepo Valley National Park, after being relocated from a private ranch in Uganda, Tuesday, March 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Dipak)
A rhinoceros gets labeled at the Kidepo Rhino Sanctuary before being released to the wild in north-eastern Uganda, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Dipak)
Veterinarians label a rhinoceros at the Kidepo Rhino Sanctuary before it is released to the wild in north-eastern Uganda, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Dipak)
A truck carrying a rhinoceros in a transportation crate arrives at Kidepo Valley National Park in north-eastern Uganda, Tuesday, March 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Dipak)
Veterinarians label a rhinoceros at Kidepo Rhino Sanctuary before being released to the wild in north-eastern Uganda, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Dipak)
Rangers get ready to proceed with the relocation of a rhinoceros from the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to the Kidepo Valley Conservation Area in north-eastern Uganda, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Dipak)
A ranger darts a rhinoceros at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary before relocating it to Kidepo Valley National Park in north-eastern Uganda, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Dipak)
A Rhinoceros is relocated to the Kidepo Valley Conservation Area in north-eastern Uganda, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Dipak)
A rhinoceros is darted inside the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary as rangers prepare to relocate it to Kidepo Valley National Park in north-eastern Uganda, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Dipak)
There have been no rhinos in Kidepo Valley National Park since 1983, the result of poaching. But a private ranch in central Uganda — the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary — has been breeding the large mammals since 2005. That program has succeeded over the years.
“This moment marks the beginning of a new rhino story for Kidepo Valley National Park,” said James Musinguzi, executive director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority. “We are deeply grateful to our conservation partners whose technical expertise, financial support and logistical contributions have made this milestone possible."
Local wildlife authorities collaborated with multiple conservation groups, including Global Conservation, to relocate some rhinos from Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to another sanctuary inside Kidepo Valley National Park, more than 400 kilometers (250 miles) away.
The rhinos' new habitat has fence lines, access roads and fire management infrastructure. More rhinos are expected to be relocated there later this year, including some from Kenya.
The rhino translocation "shows that Uganda is stable again for tourism, national parks are being protected, and Ugandans and international visitors can watch rhinos in their natural setting, which will be an incredible feat,” said Jeff Morgan, executive director of Global Conservation.
Poaching remains a problem in Uganda’s protected areas, although enhanced security measures have curbed incidents over the years.
Rhinos are targeted by poachers who kill them because of the high demand for rhino horn products for medicinal and other uses in parts of Asia. Studies indicate that rhino horn products sold through illegal markets sometimes fetch higher prices than gold.
A rhinoceros stands in a transportation crate as it is relocated to Kidepo Valley National Park in north-eastern Uganda, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Dipak)
Rangers prepare a rhinoceros for transport from the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to Kidepo Valley National Park in north-eastern Uganda, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Dipak)
A southern white rhinoceros stands outside a transportation crate at Kidepo Valley National Park, after being relocated from a private ranch in Uganda, Tuesday, March 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Dipak)
A rhinoceros gets labeled at the Kidepo Rhino Sanctuary before being released to the wild in north-eastern Uganda, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Dipak)
Veterinarians label a rhinoceros at the Kidepo Rhino Sanctuary before it is released to the wild in north-eastern Uganda, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Dipak)
A truck carrying a rhinoceros in a transportation crate arrives at Kidepo Valley National Park in north-eastern Uganda, Tuesday, March 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Dipak)
Veterinarians label a rhinoceros at Kidepo Rhino Sanctuary before being released to the wild in north-eastern Uganda, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Dipak)
Rangers get ready to proceed with the relocation of a rhinoceros from the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to the Kidepo Valley Conservation Area in north-eastern Uganda, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Dipak)
A ranger darts a rhinoceros at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary before relocating it to Kidepo Valley National Park in north-eastern Uganda, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Dipak)
A Rhinoceros is relocated to the Kidepo Valley Conservation Area in north-eastern Uganda, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Dipak)
A rhinoceros is darted inside the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary as rangers prepare to relocate it to Kidepo Valley National Park in north-eastern Uganda, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Dipak)
From prayers amid the rubble of Gaza to the great mosques of Istanbul, Muslims around the world are celebrating the holiday of Eid al-Fitr as they bid farewell to the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
Eid is typically greeted with joy and excitement and is marked with prayers and festivities that include family visits, gatherings, outings and new clothes. Prayers and celebrations are being held across Muslim countries like Egypt, and by Muslims in Greece, Russia and further afield.
This year Eid is also being marked with war raging in Iran and many parts of the Middle East.
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Muslim worshippers attend Eid al-Fitr prayer, Friday, March 20, 2026 in the Brooklyn Borough of New York. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)
A young man enjoys a swing ride at an amusement park as he celebrates Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Muslim kids attend Eid al-Fitr prayers, marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan in Lagos, Nigeria, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)
Palestinians celebrate Eid al-Fitr in Jabaliya, Gaza Strip, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
Muslims pray as they celebrate Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the Muslims' holy fasting month of Ramadan, in St. Petersburg, Russia, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)
People walk to pray Eid Al-Fitr prayers, marking the feast after Ramadan, celebrating the end of fasting, in Aden, Yemen, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Abdulnasser Alseddik)
Taliban policemen, left, and a GDI ( General Directorate of Intelligence ) officer greet each other for Eid al-Fitr outside the Shah-Do Shamshira Mosque before Eid prayers in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Siddiqullah Alizai)
Muslims offer Eid al-Fitr prayers at the Abdul-Qadir al-Gailani mosque in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Young men sing and dance after Eid al-Fitr prayers, marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan in Lagos, Nigeria, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)
Muslim worshippers arrive to attend Eid al-Fitr prayers outside a mosque in Istanbul, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
A women from Benin shows her hands, painted and decorated to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim holiday marking the end of Ramadan, Islam's holy month of fasting, at a mosque in Berlin, Germany, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
Muslims wait before Eid al-Fitr prayers in a sports hall in Bucharest, Romania, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
A woman takes a selfie with her son during the Eid al-Fitr prayers marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa)
An aerial view of Bosnian Muslims praying during Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque in Sarajevo, Bosnia, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)
Women pray behind a curtain during Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim holiday marking the end of Ramadan, Islam's holy month of fasting, in Rome's Piazza Vittorio, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Palestinians celebrate Eid al-Fitr in Jabaliya, Gaza Strip, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
A Muslim walks toward Mecca Masjid to offer prayers on the last Friday of the holy fasting month of Ramadan as Rapid Action Force personnel stand guard in front of the Charminar monument in Hyderabad, India, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)
A woman holding a baby arrives for Eid al-Fitr prayers outside a sports hall in Bucharest, Romania, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
Two boys wearing new clothes for Eid greet each other outside the Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque during Eid al-Fitr celebrations in Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Muslims leave the Omar ibn al-Khattab Mosque after Eid al-Fitr prayers, the Muslim holiday marking the end of Ramadan, Islam's holy month of fasting, in Berlin, Germany, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
A girl arrives for Eid al-Fitr prayers, marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan in Lagos, Nigeria, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)
Muslims pray outside the Moscow Cathedral Mosque during celebrations of Eid al-Fitr holiday, a feast celebrated by Muslims worldwide, in Moscow, Russia, early Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Muslim worshippers attend Eid al-Fitr prayers outside a mosque in Istanbul, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
Muslims attend Eid al-Fitr prayers in a sports hall in Bucharest, Romania, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
Palestinians celebrate Eid al-Fitr amid the rubble of destroyed buildings in Jabaliya, Gaza Strip, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
Muslim worshippers pray outside a mosque in Athens during celebrations of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan on Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
People prepare to pray Eid Al-Fitr prayers, marking the feast after Ramadan, celebrating the end of fasting, in Aden, Yemen, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Abdulnasser Alseddik)
An aerial view of Bosnian Muslims praying during Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque in Sarajevo, Bosnia, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)
Muslim worshippers attend Eid al-Fitr prayers outside a mosque in Istanbul, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
Palestinian militants from Hamas and Islamic Jihad greet people who gather for to Eid al-Fitr prayers in Gaza City, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Muslims pray outside the Moscow Cathedral Mosque during celebrations of Eid al-Fitr holiday, a feast celebrated by Muslims worldwide, in Moscow, Russia, early Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Sudanese gather for the Eid al-Fitr prayer, the Muslim holiday marking the end of Ramadan, Islam's holy month of fasting, in Khartoum, Sudan, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali)
Palestinians offer Eid al-Fitr prayers in Gaza City, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
A Bosnian Muslim boy listens to a mufti delivering a sermon during Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque in Sarajevo, Bosnia, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)
Thousands of Egyptian Muslims perform Eid al-Fitr prayers outside al-Seddik mosque in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Khaled el Fiqi)
Israeli police officers pass by Palestinian Muslims as they offer Eid al-Fitr prayers in Jerusalem while the Old City remains closed to visitors under nationwide Home Front Command restrictions banning large gatherings amid the war with Iran, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)
Muslims offer Eid al-Fitr prayers at the Abdul-Qadir al-Gailani mosque in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Palestinian Muslims offer Eid al-Fitr prayers amid the rubble of destroyed buildings in Jabaliya, Gaza Strip, Friday, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
