Uplift Nature Reserve

The entrance to the Uplift Nature Reserve.

For the Halo 3: ODST level, see Uplift Reserve (Level)

Uplift Nature Reserve is a large nature park and a zoo, located on an artificial island next to the city of New Mombasa, Kenya, Earth. It was funded by New Mombasa Uplift, the company responsible for managing the New Mombasa Orbital Elevator. Apart from the Tsavo National Park, Uplift Nature Reserve was the largest wildlife reserve east of Nairobi, and one of the most renowned nature reserves in the world.

Description

A digital map of the reserve.

Located southwest of New Mombasa, Uplift Nature Reserve resides on what used to be part of the Mombasa island, but due to sea levels rising, has been separated from it. Due to this, the entirety of the reserve's natural habitats are artificial.

The public entrance to the reserve lies north of the park, easily accessible by New Mombasa's waterfront highway. Upon arrival, visitors are shuttled to New Mombasa Uplift plaza, where the company's headquarters also lie. The plaza is located directly adjacent to the reserve's primary access road, and within Sector 9 of the city.

Main sections of the reserve include three linked containment areas with high-reaching perimeter walls. A multitude of structures such as cranes and gates lie on the exterior walls, with various outposts stationed at predetermined junctures throughout the facility. In their interior, these sections contain vast natural habitats teeming with life.

Sections A and B both lie on a separate landmass, the furthest west of the park entrance. The west side of these sections contains the only exception to the perimeter walls; a makeshift beachfront which looks across the waterway to Old Mombasa. Section B is the largest enclosed area within the reserve. Providing direct access to New Mombasa through Section C, accessible by way of a suspension bridge. In the center of Section B resides the main attraction of Uplift Reserve: A large visitor center with an observation deck, allowing the public to watch animals in their natural habitat. Across the bridge from Section B, Section C is located. This section is the only one which actually lies on the Mombasa island itself, instead of the separate landmass that Sections A and B are built upon.

History

During the Battle of Mombasa, Uplift Reserve was where Regret's Carrier deployed its Gravity Lift's base, making it the highest concentration of Covenant ground troops in the area at the time. Later in the battle, the park was still occupied by the Covenant, who had multiple Wraiths and other vehicles stationed in there. The UNSC forces pushed through the Covenant defenses, eventually crushing all Covenant resistance in the area. Any animals that may have been housed in the reserve were likely killed or perhaps evacuated by the reserve's personnel or unintentionally released by the Covenant.

However, the UNSC victory was short-lived. The Covenant soon returned in much larger numbers, crushing any remaining resistance. Despite the intense fighting, it would seem that the Uplift Reserve itself managed to survive the battle, as overhead shots of the destroyed city show that the grounds are largely intact. However, it was likely destroyed when the Covenant glassed New Mombasa in order to uncover the Forerunner Portal structure the city was built upon.

Gallery

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  Banners showing the animals of Uplift Reserve.

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  The bridge connecting the sections of Uplift Reserve.

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  Uplift Reserve during the Covenant invasion.

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  The circular sections of Uplift Reserve, as viewed from outside. Old Mombasa can be seen in the background.

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  The port facilities in the southwest end of the reserve.

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  The main visitor center of the reserve.