Dr. James Misanguzi

The last rhino in Kadepo is thought to have been killed back in 1983, making the species extinct in the wild in Uganda.

Poachers wanting their meat and horns had exploited political instability to wipe out around 700 of the animals once found in the country's national parks.

But now, two southern white rhinos have arrived at a new protected sanctuary, the first of eight intended to help re-establish a thriving population in the park.

They were moved there from a privately owned ranch, which has been breeding rhinos from four it imported from Kenya in 2005.

Dr James Misanguzi is the executive director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

He says it marks the beginning of a new rhino story for Kedepo.

The rhinos will be monitored by veterinary teams to ensure they adapt to their new home.

And Dr Muzunguzi says they've also taken steps to protect them from poachers using rangers and remote tracking and getting the support of local people.

Geoff Morgan is the founder of Global Conservation, which has been helping to ensure the rhinos will be safe at Kedepo.

He says people will also benefit from it becoming a safari destination.

This reintroduction is part of Uganda's National Rhino Conservation Strategy, which aims to restore the animals to all the areas they used to inhabit.

And it's hoped they will also help other species by restoring natural ecosystems.

Jeff Morgan says he's optimistic.