Summary:
- “The Bwindi Chimpanzee is unique in that they nest on the ground, unlike chimps from other areas,” Mwajuma said.
KANUNGU: Preparations are in high gear for the International Chimpanzee Day celebrations in Kanungu District, according to District Communications Officer Mwajuma Twaha Adams.
Mwajuma announced that in Uganda, the celebrations will take place on Friday at Ngoto Island Tourism Hub in Bwindi, Kanungu District, starting at 8:00 AM.
The event is organized by the Uganda Wildlife Authority in collaboration with the Jane Goodall Institute Kampala, Kanungu District Local Government, and Kinkizi Diocese. The purpose is to raise awareness about chimpanzees in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which shares a habitat with the Mountain Gorilla.
“The Bwindi Chimpanzee is unique in that they nest on the ground, unlike chimps from other areas,” Mwajuma said.
The celebrations will feature various activities, including entertainment, tree planting, exhibitions, speeches on conservation, and tours.
“The theme of World Chimpanzee Day is to explore the intricate lives of our primate relatives, witnessing their intelligence, social bonds, and fascinating behavior in the wild. In Uganda, the focus is on raising the profile of Bwindi chimpanzees, who are endangered like their cousins, the Mountain Gorillas,” Mwajuma added.
The theme for Kanungu is “Chimpanzees, Mountain Gorillas, and People in a Shared Landscape,” with the tagline: “The Chimpanzees of Bwindi.”
Chief Warden of Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Area, Guma Nelson, calls upon the conservation community, park edge communities near the chimpanzee range, particularly members of the Bwindi Ngoto Community Conservation and Development Initiative, and other stakeholders to participate in the event.
He emphasizes the need to protect chimpanzees with the same significance as gorillas, as both offer benefits.
Rev. Kenneth Kanyankore, former Kinkizi Diocesan Secretary, stated that Chimpanzee Day should remind Ugandans of the need to enhance the tourism industry in western Uganda.
“Conserving our environment, which includes protecting God-given animals, adds value to households. Kanungu residents should embrace tourism activities to boost our income. All people of God are called to engage in this sector for middle-income status,” Rev. Kanyankore said.
He urged all development partners to support tourism programs in Kanungu District, especially the northern corridor.
World Chimpanzee Day is celebrated every July 14th, following a resolution made at the United Nations Assembly. The date coincides with the start of long-term research by Dr. Jane Goodall in Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania on July 14, 1960.
Her research has significantly contributed to the protection of chimpanzees and their habitat, generating substantial revenue for community development in areas near chimpanzee ranges with habituated families.
