A comprehensive census of mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in the Bwindi-Sarambwe ecosystem has officially commenced.
The exercise, led by the Jane Goodall Institute and the International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP)—a coalition of Conservation International, Fauna & Flora, and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)—aims to assess the population of chimpanzees in the region, the only known area where endangered mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, and humans coexist.
Ivan Tumuhimbise, WWF Country Director, emphasized that the census is not only about counting primates but also about enhancing local scientific expertise. “This initiative will reduce reliance on foreign laboratories and set a benchmark for self-sustaining conservation efforts,” he said.
The survey will include a full count of chimpanzees, another critically endangered great ape species sharing the habitat with mountain gorillas. Six teams, comprising staff from 11 institutions, have begun systematically scouring the rugged terrain for gorilla signs, including nests and fecal samples.
A significant innovation in this year’s census is the localized genetic analysis. Unlike previous counts, where samples were sent abroad, this study will be conducted within the region. “We have built the necessary capacity in terms of human resources and equipment to process samples locally,” Tumuhimbise explained. “The two laboratories we are using are in Uganda and the DR Congo.”
Bruno Ssemaganda, WWF Chief Operations Officer, disclosed that the initial phase of the exercise will cost 3.5 billion Ugandan Shillings. He stressed that the findings will help mitigate the impacts of climate change on the primates and their habitat.
Gorilla censuses are typically conducted every five years. The last count, held in 2018, recorded 459 gorillas. A follow-up census planned for 2023 was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
