Apes Conservation through Journalism.
Although the calls of distant wildlife continue to create a symphony of life in Africa’s ancient forest belt—stretching from West Africa to Central and Eastern Africa—a tense stillness seems to fill the air— a quiet pause before the storm of ecological upheaval. In this green expanse, Africa’s great apes, which share a common ancestor with humans, face escalating pressures that threaten their existence.
Their habitats, once thriving sanctuaries, now conceal a mounting crisis. As global temperatures rise and climate change reshapes their environment and that of the surrounding communities, these primates face numerous challenges.
Habitat loss stands out as a critical issue. Deforestation and the expansion of human settlements in countries such as Uganda and Sierra Leone, are fragmenting apes’ habitats into isolated pockets. This fragmentation not only diminishes their living space but also endangers their lives, turning their once-secure habitats into survival zones.
Exploitation for traditional medicine and cultural practices in countries such as Nigeria, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), adds another layer of threat. While these practices are rooted in some African cultural traditions, they inflict significant harm on the apes, reducing their numbers.
The impact of armed conflicts compounds these challenges. Armed groups and clashes near apes’ habitats mainly in DRC, are devastating the forests, creating risky conditions for the apes. Also, the influx of refugees fleeing violence disrupts their territories, worsening the strain on conservation efforts and pushing these creatures ever closer to the edge of survival.
And it appears these factors—climate change, habitat destruction, exploitation for traditional medicine, and armed conflict—intertwine to form a complex web of threats.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), ape conservation faces severe threats from armed conflicts, climate change, and agricultural expansion.
The eastern lowland gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri), also known as Grauer’s gorilla — the largest of the four-gorilla subspecies. — classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, is particularly at risk. Found in the eastern DRC, notably in Kahuzi-Biega National Park and surrounding areas, their population have reduced from 17,000 in 1960s to less than 6000 individuals now, occupying only 13% of its historical habitats.
According to the IUCN Red List Grauer’s gorillas are getting fewer every year, about 5% less stressing that if this keeps happening, almost all of them, 97%, could disappear by 2054, which is just three generations away.
Similarly, the Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei), with around 604 individuals in the Virunga Massif, the Bonobo (Pan paniscus), with 10,000 to 50,000 individuals, and chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), found in various parts of the DRC, including the eastern forests and the central basin, with 30,000 to 40,000 individuals, are under significant threats.
They are threatened by armed conflicts that are significantly impacting conservation efforts in eastern DRC. Several militia groups have been active in the DRC over the years, each exerting varying degrees of influence over nearby natural resources. Over 120 armed groups are currently operating in North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri provinces of DRC. The M23 rebels, for example, control several areas including Sarambwe Reserve in Virunga National Park, impeding conservation activities.
For example, amid the insecurity, authorities have ceded control over the mountain gorillas in the Sarambwe reserve.
Emmanuel De Merode the provincial director of the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation laments that , “we currently lack a presence in Mikeno, where mountain gorillas reside, and that concerns us greatly.”
Law enforcement agencies are finding it impossible to effectively patrol protected areas, enforce anti-poaching laws, or respond to wildlife crime incidents in insecure regions.
This lack of enforcement creates a sense of impunity among poachers, making it easier for them to operate undetected.
Also some armed groups are exploiting natural resources in the country, including wildlife, as a source of funding or sustenance.
There have been incidences where poaching has been used to provide food and income for militias in DRC.
Habamenshi Peter Muganda (not real name), a former member of one of the militia groups in the country, says, “they exploited any available natural resource in the area to survive.”
Bienvenu Bwende, the communications officer for Virunga National Park, emphasizes that, “any illegal activity within the park constitutes an environmental crime,” but enforcement is challenging amidst ongoing conflicts.
The growing human population in North Kivu exacerbates these issues. Agricultural professor Paul Vikanza describes the region as a “demographic powder keg,” with increasing competition for land. Cambridge Dictionary defines a Powder keg as a “situation or a place that could easily become extremely dangerous.”
Farmers in this area have reported shifts in agricultural productivity due to climate change. They say changes in temperature, rainfall patterns, and the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events have affected the productivity of their gardens, making their traditional farming practices less viable.
As a result, some farmers have been forced to seek out new land for cultivation, including areas within the reserve, to expand their farming activities and meet their food and economic needs.
In rural towns such as Masereka in North Kivu, where populations exceed 50,000, farmers including Kaswera Waherendi struggle with reduced agricultural productivity due to climate change, leading some to encroach on protected areas for new farmland.
“We feel compelled to take such risks. We have no alternative,”
An analysis of satellite imagery of Masereka urban center in DRC reveals a troubling trend: significant urban and agricultural expansion over the years. This growth has led to severe deforestation in the region. The imagery shows how the urban area and agricultural fields have steadily encroached upon the surrounding forest. Evidently, as Masereka town and its agricultural activities expand, large swathes of forest are cleared to make way for new developments and farming.
Illegal activities such as logging for charcoal further threaten protected areas.. The charcoal production business is worth more than $1 million monthly in the Kivu province. Up to 90% of this charcoal comes from the Virunga National Park. Unfortunately, over 80% of this charcoal is produced illegally. Residents say tackling this issue requires providing them with alternative energy sources such as hydropower or gas.
In Nigeria, the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee and the Western lowland gorilla face severe threats from deforestation, illegal mining, insecurity, and ritualistic practices. The Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes ellioti), classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, and the Western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), listed as Critically Endangered, are particularly at risk.
Journalist Elfredah Kevin-Alerechi reports that these apes, historically native to Nigeria’s forests, are struggling against significant challenges. Nigeria’s forests, crucial for providing food and shelter to these species, are rapidly disappearing. According to the Global Forest Watch, from 2002 to 2023, Nigeria lost 178,000 hectares of humid primary forest, accounting for 14% of its total tree cover loss during this period. Overall, the area of humid primary forest in Nigeria decreased by 9.4%. Deforestation is driven by large-scale logging, agricultural expansion for crops like palm oil and cocoa, and mining activities.
Dr. Ofua Mark, a wildlife veterinarian and conservationist at Saintmarks Animal Rescue Centre, expresses concern about Nigeria facing threats from extensive and sophisticated illicit logging in its forests.
He is troubled by the apparent lack of attention from state governments responsible for protecting Nigerian forests, which ultimately jeopardizes the lives of apes.
Uncontrolled mining for minerals such as gold and tin contributes to further habitat destruction. This mining often clears large forest areas, exacerbating the loss of ape habitats and food sources.
For example, in Itagunmodi, Osun State, southwestern Nigeria, studies and satellite images suggest that mining activities have caused significant environmental damage. The removal of vegetation for mining has led to deforestation and habitat destruction, which negatively impacts local wildlife and biodiversity. Additionally, as evidenced in satellite images below, mining has led to land degradation, altering the landscape.
In other parts of Nigeria, especially, the southeastern and south-southern regions, small-scale farming and slash-and-burn agriculture is further fragmenting forests, increasing competition for resources among ape populations. In states such as Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Ebonyi , conversion of forests into agricultural land for crops like cassava, yams, and plantains, as well as for the cultivation of cash crops like cocoa and oil palm, has greatly contributed to the loss of forest cover.
According to studies , fragmentation of ape habitats disrupts migration routes and social dynamics among ape groups, leading to population decline and increased vulnerability to extinction.
Insecurity in Nigeria, including kidnapping and banditry, compounds these challenges.
Ogunjemite Babafemi George, a professor of primate conservation ecology at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria, notes that criminals use forested areas for hiding and may hunt apes for food. “Those residing in the forest require sustenance, including protein, leading them to utilize apes as a source of protein,” he explains. This situation results in increased poaching and further destabilizes ape populations.
Ritualistic practices also pose a threat. Apes are hunted and sacrificed for traditional rituals, and their body parts are used in traditional medicine. Professor Babafemi adds that such practices contribute directly to the mortality of apes and indirectly through habitat destruction.
Rituals indirectly and directly threaten ape populations in Nigeria by contributing to habitat destruction, hunting and illegal trade among others.
Some Nigerian rituals involve clearing forested areas or altering natural habitats, which directly impact ape populations of apes by destroying their habitats and reducing available resources.
In some cultural practices, apes are hunted and sacrificed as part of rituals. This leads to direct mortality of ape individuals and negatively affect population numbers.
Relatedly, in some cases, apes are captured and sold illegally for use in rituals or traditional medicine. This contributes to the decline of ape populations and poses additional threats such as disease transmission and trauma from capture and transportation.
Additional kidnapping, banditry, and insecurity in Nigeria all exacerbate the threat to the country’s apes according to Professor Ogunjemite Babafemi.
He points out that many kidnappers take refuge in the forest to perpetrate their crimes. “Those residing in the forests use them as their habitat and source of resources, such as apes and other wildlife, for food,” notes Prof. Babafemi.
Despite laws prohibiting activities that harm forest reserves, enforcement is weak. The country’s forestry laws aim to protect forest reserves but are often undermined by inadequate enforcement and the use of forests as refuges by illegal activities.
Luckily, some efforts are underway to address these threats. Dr. Ofua Mark of the Saintmarks Animal Rescue Centre cites initiatives like “sensitization campaigns” and “legislative efforts.” The recent Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill, introduced in Nigeria’s House of Representatives, seeks to enhance wildlife protection through stricter enforcement, improved investigative powers, and severe penalties for offenders.
Terseer Ugbor, the bill’s sponsor, emphasizes its importance: “This legislation is not just about what happens within these legislative walls; it is about a collective effort.”
In Cameroon, the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes ellioti) is on the brink of extinction due to transboundary poaching, habitat destruction, and exploitation for traditional medicine. This subspecies, which inhabits the dense rainforests of Nigeria and Cameroon, particularly in the Bamenda Highlands and reserves like Ako-Mbembe and Kimbi-Fungom National Park, is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
The population of these chimpanzees is estimated between 3,500 and 9,000, but accurate numbers are difficult to determine due to their elusive nature and remote habitat. The primary threats to their survival include illegal logging and poaching.
Executive Director of the award winning and leading environmental/ conservation NGO Sustainable Run for Development (SURUDEV), notes, “Illegal logging remains rampant… timber is often smuggled across the border to Nigeria,” which undermines conservation efforts.
Despite efforts to create protected areas and community forests, illegal logging remains rampant, he notes, further stressing that, the smuggling timber is, “often smuggled across the border to Nigeria.”
Mbah Grace, the North West region delegate for forestry and wildlife, highlights the urgent issue of transboundary poaching: “The crux of the issue lies in transboundary poaching,” she explains, noting that sophisticated poachers from Nigeria are targeting chimpanzees in Cameroon.
Unlike local poachers who can be monitored by patrol units, these transboundary poachers operate with impunity, smuggling their illicit bounty to markets in Nigeria.
Mbah reveals that many of these poachers originate from Nigeria’s Benue state, targeting reserves such as Ako-Mbembe and parts of Fungom, key habitats for the Nigeria-Cameroon Chimpanzees.
According to Kari, despite efforts to engage Nigerian authorities in transboundary cooperation, the absence of established mechanisms, agreements, or protocols between relevant agencies or governments in Cameroon and Nigeria to effectively address conservation issues particularly in the Benue region exacerbates the challenge.
Efforts to combat these issues include a Regional Action Plan created by Nigerian and Cameroonian delegates in 2011, aimed at enhancing anti-poaching measures, establishing wildlife corridors, and improving intergovernmental collaboration.
However, Liyong Sama Emmanuel, the director of Centre for Indigenous Resource Management and Development (CIRMAD) in Cameroon, points out that the plan’s implementation has been inadequate, contributing to the decline in chimpanzee numbers. He also underscores the role of traditional medicine in driving poaching: “Chimpanzees are among the most commonly used wild animals in traditional medicine,” with body parts used for various ailments.
Sama, laments the use of chimpanzee products in traditional medicine. He says this practice is driven by poverty and limited access to healthcare. Additionally, traditional beliefs and practices continue to fuel the demand for these products.
In Cameroon and Nigeria these practices often involve the use of various parts of the chimpanzee, including their bones, organs, and even sometimes their meat, for supposed medicinal purposes. In some cases, chimpanzee body parts are believed to possess mystical or healing properties, leading to their use in traditional healing practices.
In Cameroon, for example, studies have indicated that chimpanzees are among the most commonly used wild animals in traditional medicine. A study conducted in the northwest region of Cameroon in 2010 revealed that chimpanzees were extensively used for medicinal purposes, with their body parts being sought after for various ailments. This includes the use of chimpanzee body parts in rituals, potions, and remedies believed to cure illnesses or bring good luck.
Similarly, in Nigeria, there are reports of chimpanzee body parts being used in traditional medicine, although the extent of their use may vary depending on cultural beliefs and practices in different regions. The demand for chimpanzee products in traditional medicine can contribute to illegal hunting and poaching of chimpanzees, further endangering their already vulnerable populations.
“Without proper conservation measures, we cannot expect to maintain the estimated 6000 individuals from over a decade ago. The threats they face… demand urgent attention,"
The situation is worsened by significant habitat loss. The Ako-Mbembe forest has seen a 40% reduction according to statistics from the Regional Delegation of Forestry and Wildlife, and the Kimbi-Fungom National Park faces increasing threats.
The high human population density in the Northwest region of Cameroon has led to widespread deforestation, converting forest into agricultural land and pastures, which fragments chimpanzee habitats. The Northwest region of Cameroon, home to the Bamenda Highlands, grapples with high human population densities, ranging from 100 to 250 people per square kilometer.
This human pressure has led to widespread deforestation, converting vast swathes of forest into agricultural land and pastures. Consequently, untouched habitats have dwindled to fragmented remnants, severely impacting chimpanzee populations.
In response, the Cameroonian government has taken steps such as bolstering law enforcement and reclassifying forests into Forest Management Units. Additionally, the merging of Fungom and Kimbi reserves into a National Park aims to enhance protection. Local non-profit SURUDEV is working on habitat restoration projects and community incentives to reduce forest exploitation. Kari Jackson urges, “Embrace conservation and recognize the intrinsic value of wildlife to our national heritage.”
Despite these efforts, challenges remain, including the conversion of reserves into timber concessions. Sama Emmanuel stresses the need for collaboration and proactive measures to safeguard key biodiversity areas like Korup and Takamanda National Parks.
In Tanzania’s Kigoma region, home to Mahale and Gombe National Parks, the Eastern chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) faces severe threats from climate change and human-wildlife conflicts. The IUCN Red List classification for the Eastern chimpanzee is Endangered.
According to wildlife conservation authorities, Tanzania is home to an estimated 2,500 Eastern chimpanzees, with the majority residing in Mahale and Gombe National Parks in the Kigoma region. Additional populations can be found in the Nkondwe forests of the Katavi region and a small number on Rubondo Island in the Geita region.
Once numbering around 300 in Gombe National Park in 1980, the chimpanzee population has dwindled to just 90, raising urgent concerns among conservationists like Sila Mbise.
Mbise highlights that diseases, resource competition, and climate-induced habitat fragmentation are key factors in the population decline.
Climate change exacerbates habitat loss and fragmentation, leading to increased human-wildlife interactions as both species compete for dwindling resources. This has resulted in higher instances of retaliatory killings and habitat destruction. Additionally, climate change is linked to disease outbreaks in chimpanzees, further straining their populations.
The rapid population growth in Kigoma—soaring from 856,770 in 1988 to over 2.4 million in 2022—has intensified pressure on wildlife habitats. Local communities, previously disconnected from conservation benefits, are beginning to understand the importance of protecting these areas due to community sensitization initiatives.
Hamim Masoud, chairman of Mwamgongo village, notes, “In the past, we didn’t perceive the direct benefits of having these conservation areas,” acknowledging a shift in attitudes due to educational efforts by the Tanzania National Parks Authority.
Community engagement has led to tangible benefits, including new schools, clinics, and employment opportunities.
Dr. Nicolaus Zacharia, the Director of the Tanganyika Development Relief Organization (TADERO), an organization engaged in education, agribusiness, and environmental conservation, emphasizes the significance of community sensitization and involvement in raising awareness about the benefits of co-existing with wildlife.
n Kigoma, conservation authorities are currently implementing the Community Relations Program, also known as Good Neighborhoods, to promote chimpanzee protection. This program includes providing subsidies to communities and establishing development projects for their benefit.
Nelson Mcharo from Gombe National Park’s Community Relations Unit reports positive results from these efforts, emphasizing their impact on both conservation and local development.
In Sierra Leone, the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, located within a 100-acre protected area near Freetown, faces a grave threat from local encroachment. Established in 1995 by Bala and Sharmila Amarasekaran, the sanctuary is home to 117 endangered Western chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus).
Once a refuge for a few chimpanzees, Tacugama has become a critical site for chimpanzee conservation and education. However, its survival is jeopardized by illegal settlement construction, firewood extraction, and charcoal production. Dr. Daniel Abowe, an environmental scientist, warns that such “human-wildlife conflicts are accelerating habitat loss”, presenting significant challenges to conservation efforts.
The Western chimpanzee, native to Sierra Leone and neighboring countries, has seen its wild population decline from an estimated 20,000 in the 1970s to around 5,500 to 6,500 individuals today. This decline is driven by hunting, habitat loss, and trafficking. Encroachment by local communities, driven by poverty and lack of alternative livelihoods, exacerbates the problem. Residents often turn to protected areas for resources like land, firewood, and charcoal.
Rapid population growth in Sierra Leone has led to increased pressure on land and resources, pushing communities to encroach into protected areas in search of land for settlement, cultivation, and other activities.
In response, Sierra Leone’s government enacted the National Protected Area Authority and Conservation Trust Fund Act in 2022, which imposes severe penalties on those caught encroaching on protected areas.
Despite this, enforcement remains a challenge. Sidikie Baryoh, the sanctuary’s communication officer, notes the difficulty in monitoring all 100 acres due to encroachment on parts of the land, highlighting the need for better policy enforcement.
Baryoh emphasizes the importance of community engagement and education in safeguarding the sanctuary. “It is dangerous for encroachers and even those clearing the forest because this is a protected area,” he states. The sanctuary’s outreach includes school clubs and support for local communities in neighboring parks to promote wildlife conservation.
The sanctuary’s mission is to protect Sierra Leone’s chimpanzees and other wildlife, enhancing the country’s biodiversity and economy. However, without effective enforcement and broader community support, the sanctuary’s future remains uncertain.
In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda, mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) are showing a new behavior: drinking water. Historically, these gorillas relied on moisture from vegetation and dew, seldom seen drinking directly from water sources. However, recent observations suggest an increase in their water consumption, a change attributed to climate change.
“Gorillas now scoop and drink water,” notes Dickson Katana, manager of Bwindi’s Southern Sector. This shift has raised concerns about potential conflicts with nearby communities, who face water shortages and often share these water sources with the gorillas.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is crucial for the mountain gorilla population, hosting over 500 individuals in Uganda, which holds about half of the world’s mountain gorillas. Despite their historical avoidance of direct water consumption, the current climate changes are influencing these behaviors.
Jeconius Musingwire, an environmental scientist and the former western Uganda regional manager for the national environment watchdog agency – NEMA, says the shift in behavior of mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, from relying solely on moisture from vegetation and dew to actively drinking from water sources, is closely linked to the broader impacts of climate change and deforestation.
“As global temperatures rise and weather patterns become more unpredictable, the availability and distribution of natural moisture sources are altered,” notes Musingwire further stressing that this environmental stress likely forces gorillas to “adapt their behavior” in response to diminished dew and reduced plant moisture.
Additionally, as Musingwire notes, “deforestation, driven by both agricultural expansion and human settlement,” is exacerbating environmental challenges by disrupting gorilla habitats and diminishing the vegetation that once provided essential hydration.
He explains that deforestation, combined with climate change, also affects pollinators, which are essential for ecosystem health. “As their traditional habitats are destroyed, many pollinators are compelled to migrate to higher altitudes in search of suitable conditions, notes Musingwire. He says this migration not only threatens their survival but also disrupts local ecosystems by diminishing pollination services crucial for plant reproduction and overall biodiversity
What makes the situation more challenging is that the added pressure of gorillas accessing these water sources could heighten tensions and escalate the risk of conflicts with humans.
“Families without water tanks have women and children moving up to 3 km to fetch water,” Katana reports, highlighting the severe water scarcity in surrounding areas like Kisoro District.
Penninah Mushabe, a local resident, describes the impact of wildlife on her family’s food security, noting the challenges of “guarding crops from gorillas.”
Efforts to mitigate these issues include initiatives like the installation of a water tank in Nombe Ward by The International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP), aimed at improving local water access. Additionally, local families, such as that of Byamugisha William and Marienet Juliet, are building their own water tanks, reducing their need to enter gorilla habitats.
These water solutions are not only aiding in the conservation of mountain gorillas but are also enhancing the quality of life for communities living near these protected areas.
“As their traditional habitats are destroyed, many pollinators are compelled to migrate to higher altitudes in search of suitable conditions,"
In Uganda, deforestation is driving chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) to adapt new survival strategies. Historically frugivores, chimpanzees are increasingly turning to meat due to habitat loss and the depletion of their natural food sources.
“During our recent inspection of Bugoma forest, we discovered many chimpanzees killed by unknown individuals, while others sustained injuries,” says Asiimwe Aliguma, the Communications Officer at the Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda (CCFU).
Environmental scientist. Jeconius Musingwire notes that the fruit-eating chimpanzees are increasingly turning to meat due to a dietary shift driven by “habitat loss and the resulting scarcity of their traditional fruit sources.”
“As deforestation and environmental degradation reduce the availability of their preferred diet, these chimpanzees are adapting by incorporating more meat into their diet, “notes Musingwire.
Moses Semahunge, the Project Manager for Bulindi Chimpanzee and Conservation Project in Hoima district recounts a startling incident: a female chimpanzee from the Kitoba community was spotted consuming a guinea fowl, while another chimpanzee was seen slapping a pig—an alarming behavior with implications for human safety and domestic animals.
Deforestation, driven by agriculture and land development, has led to significant declines in chimpanzee populations. For instance, Bugoma Central Forest Reserve’s chimpanzee numbers dropped from 570 in 2001 to around 390 today.
Bugoma Central Forest Reserve in western Uganda, the once-thriving chimpanzee population is facing a significant decline due to habitat destruction caused by human activities, particularly land clearance for agriculture and settlement.
The primary crop cultivated on a large scale by investors near this reserve is sugarcane.
To investigate the impact of human activities on Bugoma Central Forest Reserve, we utilized satellite imagery, which has revealed alarming levels of deforestation over the years. This technology allowed us to track the extensive clearing of forested areas, particularly due to large-scale land conversion for agriculture. The imagery clearly illustrates the progressive loss of crucial chimpanzee habitat.
Uganda has been experiencing deforestation at a rate of approximately 2.4% annually, according to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Deforestation rates vary across different regions of the country and are influenced by factors such as agricultural expansion, logging, infrastructure development, and population growth. And due to deforestation in chimpanzee habitats, there has been a noticeable decline in the population of these animals.
“The destruction of their habitat has not only caused direct harm but has also disrupted their reproductive patterns,” Aliguma adds, highlighting the broader impact on chimpanzee survival.
In response to habitat loss, chimpanzees in Bugoma and Budongo forests have started eating meat and cultivated crops like jackfruit. This shift reflects a broader adaptation to their increasingly fragmented environment. Moses Ssemahunge, Manager of the Bulindi Chimpanzee and Community Project (BCCP) notes that chimpanzees in Bunyoro region now consume up to 27 different agricultural crops.
Human-wildlife conflicts have escalated, with chimpanzees raiding crops and even attacking people. In Hoima City, residents like Costance Muhanuzi report damage to their crops and fear of chimpanzee attacks.
“It destroyed all my fruit trees and vegetables which are important sources of income to my family,” she notes.
Fred Okirifoda, another resident, recounted a tragic incident where a chimpanzee killed a one-year-old baby in their village.
Conservationists stress the need for coexistence and habitat restoration. Moses Ssemahunge advocates for planting fruit trees and protecting the Bugoma-Budongo corridor to alleviate conflicts. George Businge calls for community engagement in tree planting and environmental preservation, emphasizing that “if each of us could adopt the mindset of chimpanzees, who contribute to reforestation, our environment would thrive.”
George Owoyesigire, Deputy Director for Community Conservation at the Uganda Wildlife Authority, emphasized the” economic value of chimpanzees”, noting their significant contribution to the tourism sector.
Tourism revenue in Uganda surpassed $1 billion USD for the fiscal year ending in 2023, marking a notable increase from approximately $687.2 million USD recorded in the previous fiscal year ending in 2022.
Professor Fred Babwetera of Makerere University is leading efforts to protect chimpanzees through community involvement and reforestation projects. Over 2000 trees have been planted under his initiative, with local schools actively participating.
In the heart of Uganda, Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, the founder and CEO of an award winning NGO Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH), has made her mark as the country’s first wildlife veterinarian. Her memoir, Walking with Gorillas: The Journey of an African Wildlife Vet, is more than just a chronicle of her 27 years in conservation; it’s a reflection on the intricate web connecting human and wildlife health.
As Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka sipped her gorilla conservation coffee during our interview, she shared her passion with an earnestness that captured the essence of her work. “The challenges we face—poverty, zoonotic diseases, habitat loss—are compounded by rapid human population growth,” she explained. “These issues are interconnected, and without a holistic approach, we can’t save both wildlife and the communities living alongside them.”
Her One Health approach integrates human and animal health, aiming to address root causes of conflict and disease. “By improving local healthcare, we can reduce the transmission of diseases from humans to gorillas,” she says.
A moving moment in her career was when she investigated a scabies outbreak among mountain gorillas, which traced back to local communities lacking adequate health services. “That experience taught me that protecting wildlife also means improving the health and welfare of people living near protected areas,” she reflects.
Her memoir, she hopes, will inspire others to engage in conservation. “Through Walking with Gorillas, I want to highlight the importance of responsible tourism and social enterprises,” Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka says. “Individual actions matter. Partnerships between communities and conservationists can lead to sustainable solutions.”
Looking ahead, she is focused on expanding the One Health model across Africa, empowering women and youth in conservation roles, and continuing to mentor future leaders. “My journey is just the beginning,” she asserted. Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka’s book serves as both a personal testament and a call to action, urging readers to join the global effort to balance apes’ conservation with community well-being.
Increasing conservation coverage of the Apes, and amplifying local voices in the international community debate about Apes protection.
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