Entebbe– The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has announced the successful hatching of three Grey Crowned Crane chicks at the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC), commonly known as Entebbe Zoo.
The triplet chicks hatched between May 27 and 28, 2026, and are reported to be in good health, according to animal caretakers and veterinary doctors at the facility.
This achievement marks the fourth successful ex-situ breeding of the endangered Grey Crowned Crane at Entebbe Zoo. UWA attributes the success to the professional animal welfare practices implemented by its experts, the favourable semi-wild environment provided at the conservation centre, and ongoing efforts to support wildlife breeding and conservation.
The Grey Crowned Crane, Uganda’s national bird, is listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Current estimates indicate that Uganda’s population of the species ranges between 12,000 and 14,000 birds.
Conservationists warn that the species continues to face significant threats, including habitat loss caused by wetland degradation, increasing human-wildlife conflicts, and illegal wildlife trafficking.
UWA says the successful breeding programme demonstrates the importance of conservation initiatives in safeguarding endangered species and ensuring the survival of Uganda’s rich wildlife heritage for future generations.
