KIDEPO VALLEY NATIONAL PARK — Four southern white rhinos were reintroduced into Kidepo Valley National Park in northeastern Uganda recently. Two additional rhinos arrived at the park in metallic crates on Thursday, joining two others that had been relocated from a private ranch in central Uganda.

No rhinos have been present in Kidepo Valley National Park since 1983 because they were poached into extinction. Local wildlife authorities collaborated with multiple conservation groups, including Global Conservation, to relocate rhinos from Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to a sanctuary inside Kidepo Valley National Park more than 400 kilometers (250 miles) away.

"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."

The new rhino habitat in Kidepo Valley National Park has fence lines, access roads and fire management infrastructure. More rhinos are expected to be relocated to the park 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.

The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in central Uganda has been breeding southern white rhinos since 2005. Poachers kill rhinos because of demand for rhino horn products for medicinal and other uses in parts of Asia. Rhino horn products sold through illegal markets sometimes fetch prices higher than gold.

Poaching continues to occur in Uganda's protected areas. Enhanced security measures have reduced poaching incidents over the years in Uganda's protected areas.