Why there is Need for Gorilla and Chimpanzee Census in Uganda
Why there is Need for Gorilla and Chimpanzee Census in Uganda:The gorilla and chimpanzee census is one of the wildlife restoration initiatives that help the country’s conservation efforts in development and sustainability. The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) recently allocated more than USD 1 million (Shs3.6 billion) in partnership with conservation NGOs to conduct the first-ever chimpanzee census and the sixth mountain gorilla census in the Bwindi-Sarambwe Conservation Area.
There were an estimated 426 chimpanzees spread throughout the park when the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Chimpanzee Census was carried out in 2025. In one of Africa’s most protected settings, this appears to be a significant turning point in bolstering conservation evidence. At the Uganda Wildlife Authority headquarters in Kampala, Hon. Bahinduka Mugarra Martin, Uganda’s Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, unveiled the chimpanzee results.
Bwindi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its magnificent mountain gorillas, has long served as a model for great ape conservation worldwide. In addition to legally incorporating chimpanzees into park-wide conservation strategy alongside gorillas, this first devoted and methodical chimpanzee census greatly advances scientific knowledge of Bwindi’s great ape community.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority, the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration, and the Jane Goodall Institute Uganda carried out the census in May and June of 2025. It gave a thorough baseline on the number, density, and distribution of chimpanzee populations throughout the park’s 320.9 square kilometres.
Using standardised techniques like line transect surveys, marked nest counts, and standing crop nest counts, researchers surveyed these 320.9 square kilometres in four park sectors of Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga, and Nkuringo to establish a baseline on chimpanzee population size, density, and distribution, confirming their wide habitat range. from higher altitudes of montane habitats to a mixed Afromontane tropical rain forest.
Reports indicate, there were approximately 426 chimpanzees in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. This is the first time that chimpanzees have ever been counted in Bwindi. In contrast to their counterparts in Kibale Forest National Park, Kyambura Gorge, Bugoma Forest, and Kalinzu Forest Reserve, this chimpanzee group has not undergone the habituation process. As we look forward to the exercise, the gorilla census is still in the works.
In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, 459 gorillas were counted in the most recent gorilla census, which took place in 2018. The International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP) Director, Mr. Wellard Makambo, stated that this program aids in giving precise statistics on the local population of these magnificent primates, which is crucial for efficient conservation planning and management.
The extensive distribution and significant confirmation of chimpanzees in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park enhance awareness of the park’s importance as a habitat for big primates, including apes and other wildlife species. further emphasises the necessity of employing scientific data to monitor and maintain these protected areas, especially in light of habitat pressure, climate change, and human activity that is increasing the demand for resources and land.
This census is also helpful in determining the existing great ape population in Bwindi and evaluating the effectiveness of previous conservation initiatives. According to Mr. Makambo, it also identifies areas that require additional focus. Mr. James Byamukama, Executive Director of the Jane Goodall Institute, described the chimpanzee census as a turning point in regional conservation during his speech during the census’s opening in Ruhija sector, Rubanda District.
Historically, almost 65 years have passed since Dr. Jane Goodall started gathering scientific data on chimpanzees on July 14, 1960, in Gombe, Tanzania. “Global awareness and conservation policies for chimpanzees were affected by that research,” he said. Dr. James Musinguzi, the Executive Director of UWA, stated that this census is crucial to improving the organization’s logistical and human resources to guarantee better wildlife protection.
In order to better safeguard our species for future generations, this is demonstrated by expanding transportation infrastructure, personnel, and equipment. Dr. Musinguzi stated, “I am grateful to the International Gorilla Conservation (IGCP) for spearheading this unified effort and to the Jane Goodall Institute for their unceasing efforts in starting the chimpanzee census alongside the gorilla count.
But Bwindi-Mgahinga’s conservation manager, Mr. Nelson Guma, expressed worries about the expanding human settlements near the protected regions. He pointed out that the health of wildlife is at risk due to new town authorities’ poor waste management.
