Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust launches Chimpanzee Monitoring Project in partnership with Uganda Wildlife Authority at Kyambura Gorge, Uganda
A collaborative initiative to help safeguard the threatened ‘Lost Chimps of Kyambura Gorge’
Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust (VSPT) announces the launch of the Kyambura Chimpanzee Monitoring Project, based at the VSPT Research Centre, Kyambura Gorge Lodge, in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda.
In partnership with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), the project will establish the first permanent, science-based monitoring programme for the isolated group of chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge.
“The launch of the new Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust chimpanzee monitoring project in Kyambura Gorge is a wonderful day for chimpanzee conservation in Uganda.
This small group of threatened chimps will have a team monitoring their behaviour and protecting their habitat. This project is aligned with the Uganda’s 10-year National Chimpanzee Conservation Strategy launched in 2023.
VSPT will be training UWA rangers in chimpanzee identification and monitoring. We are happy to be working in partnership with VSPT on the project.”
— Charles Tumwesigye, Commissioner Field Operations, Uganda Wildlife Authority
The programme builds on the Kyambura Gorge Ecotourism Project, a series of connected community and conservation initiatives that have been working to safeguard the Kyambura Gorge ecosystem since 2009.
“This project continues the long-term research of the Kyambura chimpanzees by Nicole Simmons. It is exciting to working in partnership with the Uganda Wildlife Authority to train young local people to become the next generation of conservationists.”
— Dr. Alexander Braczkowski, VSPT Scientific Director
LED BY THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
VSPT trainees Andrew Kato and Athens Niwahereza, both from villages bordering Kyambura Gorge, alongside UWA rangers, are leading the fieldwork. Dr. Alexander Braczkowski is Scientific Director.
The project’s advisors bring world-class expertise: Professor Richard Wrangham (Harvard University), Dr. Emily Otali (Kibale Chimpanzee Project), Nicole Simmons (chimpanzee researcher) and James Byamukama (Executive Director, Jane Goodall Institute Uganda).
“Kyambura Gorge has a very special ecosystem and a small group of chimpanzees, trapped here without another place to go. We are excited to be part of the new project which will help to protect the chimps.”
— Andrew Kato, VSPT, Kyambura Chimpanzee Monitoring Project
The team will hike in the gorge to locate chimpanzee parties, record GPS coordinates, photograph individuals for identification, and log community size and composition.
Long-term monitoring will document feeding and social behaviour and assess potential human- wildlife conflict.
EDITORS' NOTES
About Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust
Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust (VSPT) is a non-profit organization in Uganda that connects Volcanoes Safaris lodges to the neighbouring communities and conservation activities. VSPT works with local communities and conservation partners to enrich local livelihoods, promote the conservation of the great apes, restore natural habitats, and reduce human-wildlife conflict.
Contributions made through Empowers Africa from US residents are tax-deductible.