Safari Wildz

96% of chimpanzees could be saved by African action plan
21 June 2010 | News - News story


Ninety-six per cent of known populations of eastern chimpanzees, that’s an estimated 50,000 individuals, could be protected with a new action plan, which puts stamping out illegal hunting and trafficking as key to saving one of man’s closest relatives. The nations of East and Central Africa have developed a 10-year plan to save the eastern chimpanzee from hunting, habitat loss, disease, the capture of infants for the pet trade and other threats, IUCN and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) announced today.

“Eastern Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii): Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan: 2010-2020”, calls for the conservation of 16 areas, which if protected would conserve 96 per cent of the known populations of eastern chimpanzees, estimated to be around 50,000. However, the total number could be as high as 200,000, almost double the estimates that have been made previously.

The eastern chimpanzee is currently classified as Endangered on IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species™, and lives in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania and Zambia. Eastern chimpanzees share an estimated 98 per cent of genes with humans and are among the best studied of the great apes.

“We know about the distribution and abundance of only a quarter of the world population of the eastern chimpanzee”, says Dr Liz Williamson, IUCN’s Species Survival Commission Great Ape Coordinator. “There are large areas of the Congo basin where we know very little about this ape. The plan identifies key areas for future surveys that are likely to be of importance for chimpanzees.”

“This effort to assess the status of eastern chimpanzees will help us to focus our conservation actions more effectively,” says Dr Andrew Plumptre, director of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Albertine Rift Program and the plan’s lead author. “In the next decade, we hope to minimize the threats to these populations and the ecological and cultural diversity they support.”

In addition to targeting two of the greatest threats to the species, illegal hunting and trafficking, other objectives include reducing the rate of forest loss in chimpanzee habitats; increasing knowledge of chimpanzee distribution, status, and threats; improving the understanding of health risks to chimpanzee populations, including human-transmitted diseases; increasing community support for chimpanzee conservation; and, securing sustainable financing for chimpanzee conservation units.

“The plan will require considerable support from the global community but will ensure the continued survival of eastern chimpanzees in their natural habitats,” says Dr James Deutsch of WCS’s Africa Program. “The conservation of wild populations is important not only for conservation, but also for the survival of chimpanzee cultures in the region that are invaluable to helping us define our own place within the natural realm.”

Development of the Eastern Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii): Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan: 2010-2020 was funded by WCS, the ARCUS Foundation and the Daniel K. Thorne Foundation.

For more information contact:

Leigh Ann Hurt, IUCN Species Programme Communications Officer, t. +41 22 999 0153 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting +41 22 999 0153 end_of_the_skype_highlighting e. leighann.hurt@iucn.org
John Delaney, Wildlife Conservation Society, t. +1 718 220 3275 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting +1 718 220 3275 end_of_the_skype_highlighting, e. jdelaney@wcs.org
Stephen Sautner, Wildlife Conservation Society, t. +1 718 220 3682 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting +1 718 220 3682 end_of_the_skype_highlighting, e. ssautner@wcs.org

We currently use three locations in Uganda to trek Chimpanzee
1. Kibale Forest
2. Budongo Forest
3. Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Kibale Forest the original chimpanzee trek destination boasts the largest group of Chimpanzee to Trek and has the highest success rate for trekking. The chimpanzee group we follow boasts over 120 members who split in to small groups to forage during the day. There are 13 different types of primate in Kibale forest and the walking is beautiful. Treks are generally 3-4 hours and go out twice a day.

Budongo Forest near Murchison Falls National Park is our newest destination for chimpanzee trekking. These chimps are the newest to be habituated but good sightings have been had. This community is known as the southern community and consists of around 45-50 individuals. Budongo has a high biodiversity with 24 species of small mammals; nine being primates; 465 species of trees and shrubs; 359 species of birds; 289 species of butterflies; and 130 species of moths

Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park also has a good group of 20 habituated chimps. This walk can be steep and slippery and good fitness is required.

What to bring:The weather in this region can be extremely changeable and can move from hot to cold in a very short space of time. A few extra layers of clothes when you set of in the morning can easily be removed as it warms up while on the trek. As the rainfall in these areas can be prolific it is also advisable to have a good rain jacket handy. Long, light weight (but strong) trousers are also advisable as the vegetation can be thick with sharp thorns.Comfortable walking boots or shoes (worn in) are essential as you may be walking for a long time over some pretty demanding terrain. A small day bag that can be carried on your front is a good idea for the likes of your camera, spare film/memory cards; spare camera battery, insect repellent, sun cream, loo roll, water and lunch etc.

Check this out the Uganda Wildlife Authority guide going above and beyond duty on a chimpanzee trek carrying the cleints across the river - who says service is dead. The UWA guides are passionate and well informed Godfree did not want the cleints to miss out on a chimp sighting so he carried the four clients across the flooded river. What a man!

Chimpanzee lounging in Kibale Forest National Park

We have just come back in from trekking with the Chimpanzee at Kibale Forest National Park in Uganda. What a experience with a great sighting of some of the habituated group of 120 chimpanzee that live in Kibale Forest. Kibale Forest was the first site in Uganda to habituate chimpanzee which means the group is very used to human contact and you do get closer than some of the other trekking spots on Uganda. We were treated to a great view of this chimp just chilling out in the forest while others were busy playing and eating. You can see why the chimpanzee and human share over 77% of their genetic material.

Meeting at the forest head quarters at 7.45 you are briefed by park rangers and once you have rolled your long socks over your pants to stop the aggressive red ants having you for lunch you are off walking in to this pristine forest. We found the chimps an hour in to our walk and spent the hour with them as they cruised around the forest. We spent one hour with the chimpanzee before walking out of the forest. We were also lucky to sight the Black and White Colobus monkey and trails and spoor from the forest elephant in the forest. A great morning out was had by all.

Bwindi Gorilla Treck

Your gorilla trek is sure to be the highlight of your trip. Up early you need to be at the Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger station by 07.45. You are are allocated guides before heading into the forest. Here you will be offered a walking stick - take it it is very usefull in the slippery conditions. Also available at the ranger stations are porters. For around $20 they will pull and push you up the mountain side and in the rainly season are invaluable. You have paid $500 to see the gorilla the $20 goes to a local man living near the forest. Gorilla tracking permits are avilable from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The other good news if you think the cost of the permit is a bit steep 20% of the permit receipts goes to communities living around the the park boundarys and the rest to the Uganda Wildlife authority one of the main reasons the mountain gorilla is still so well protected and around today.
Habituation of a gorilla group takes a minimum of two years, with daily visits to allow the gorilla group to tolerate human presence. It is only when the gorillas are completely comfortable with human presence that tourists are allowed to share the daily hour of contact with them. Only eight poeple are able to track each habituated group. The walk to find the gorillas may be as short as two hours, but it will generally take 2-4 hours to find them as their territory can range up to 40km. Initial trackers go in to the forest first while you are being breifed and locate the night nest of the gorilla from the day before. They then track the gorilla to their new position. They are in radio contact with your guide and will direct him to your meeting place. The park rangers and guides will clear the way and assist you through the forest. You will need good fitness to make this walk and the going can be slippery and tough at times. Once the gorilla group is located you will spend an hour with them as they feed, rest and play.

Sitting with the mountain gorilla is one of the most amazing wildlife experiences you will ever have. A dominant male silverback can weigh over 200 kilos and is the largest living primate. He will control your meeting as well as deciding when his group will eat, sleep and move on. His females care for their young with affection and playfulness but also with discipline. They are very curious, and are capable of making over 25 different vocalisations, including chuckling and purring. Communication also includes posturing, chest beating and if all else fails - the charge! The privilege of spending an hour with this family group is an experience that will never leave you. After your hour is up, you wind your way slowly out of the forest and back to the camp to swap stories about your amazing experience.

For the gorilla trek bring at least two litres of water you will need it, the guides also insist you must take a packed lunch in to the forest with you if you dont eat it you can share it with the guides and porters. Take some money in case you want to buy a tshirt or carved gorilla that are for sale at some of the gorilla trailheads, you need your passport and gorilla permit with you to check in. Walking boots, or waterproof trainers and socks. You need to wear long pants whilst walking in the bush due to stinging nettles. Layers are best, as conditions in the tropical rain forest can change from hot to wet and cold in an instant. Start with a long sleeved t-shirt and long pants thick socks and boots, add a fleece and rainproof jacket and you should be right for all conditions. At some of the trailheads they have rain jackets for hire but this is not guaranteed. Bwindi and Volcanoes National Park where the gorillas reside is a high altitude rainforest so come prepared for all conditions.

Anti-histamine cream is useful if you get too close to any stinging nettles; the gorillas are immune to these, so often choose this soft place to rest. Gloves can sometimes be a handy addition. A small day pack is very useful to carry water, lunch and cameras. Today can be a long day but 100% worth it. At the end of the track you will be presented with a tracking certificate. there is one more thing you need to remember and its hard dont spend all your time looking at these amazing animals through a camera lens.

Size of Habituated gorilla groups in Uganda 2010

Mubare Group 5 gorilla

Habinyanja Group 18 gorilla

Rusegura Group 19

Nkuringo Group 19

Bitakura Group 13

Nshongi Group 36

Kyaguriro Group 16



Size of habituated Gorilla Groups in Rwanda June 2010

Suza 28


Karisimbi 15


Amahoro 17


Sabinyo 10


Agashya 24


Kwitonda 20


Hirwa 12