Summary:
- HUGO plays a crucial role in preventing poaching, studying gorilla behavior to guide them back into the forest when they enter local communities, strengthening Park-Community relations, and collecting data on gorilla populations.
KANUNGU: Viva!, a non-governmental organization in Uganda, in partnership with Viva! UK, has stepped up efforts to protect mountain gorillas, aiming to safeguard these endangered animals from various threats and promote tourism a key contributor to Uganda’s and Africa’s economy.
Founded by Juliet Gellatley 30 years ago in the UK and 20 years ago in Poland, Viva! launched its Uganda branch in January 2024 as part of its mission to boost tourism. On Saturday, September 7, 2024, the organization donated essential items and equipment to the Human-Gorilla Conflict Resolution team (HUGO) at the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Visitor Information Centre.
The partnership was initiated during one of Gellatley’s tracking tours in Bwindi, where she discussed with Chief Warden Nelson Guma ways to help the community protect gorillas.
During the discussion, Gellatley suggested providing aid to HUGO, a volunteer team that mitigates human-wildlife conflict in communities near Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
HUGO plays a crucial role in preventing poaching, studying gorilla behavior to guide them back into the forest when they enter local communities, strengthening Park-Community relations, and collecting data on gorilla populations.
Gellatley honored the Chief Warden’s request and raised funds to purchase equipment, including:
80 rain jackets
80 raincoats
200 surgical gloves
80 gumboots
180 pens
30 notebooks
6 data collection tablets
20 first aid kits
40 torches
80 water bottles
20 camping tents
20 small stress-relief tools
80 lunch boxes
20 backpacks
1 field camera for UWA gorilla field data capture.
Gellatley emphasized that Viva! Uganda looks forward to further collaboration with HUGO to find more ways to support trackers and rangers in protecting endangered mountain gorillas.
She explained that conservation requires community involvement, ensuring locals feel a sense of ownership. The rangers and HUGO volunteers work tirelessly to protect these majestic creatures.
CUE IN JULIET GELLATLEY……ON DONATION …….RR//
Viva! Uganda’s support aims to show appreciation for the dedication of HUGO volunteers and UWA staff, recognizing that mountain gorillas share over 98% of their DNA with humans, have similar pregnancies, and can even laugh and understand facial expressions.
Gellatley urged Ugandans to avoid deforestation and pollution, which threaten both humans and wildlife. She also highlighted research linking red meat consumption to diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers, emphasizing the importance of eating well, especially in countries like Uganda where healthcare access is limited.
She concluded by stressing that wildlife conservation is a collective responsibility. Without biodiversity, ecosystems collapse, affecting food production, pollination, natural cycles, rainfall, and ocean health. Conservation must be recognized as a global priority.
CUE IN JULIET GELLATLEY…….ON TOURISM ……….ENG//
Joshua Masereka, the Warden of Community Conservation, expressed gratitude for the support from Viva! Uganda, praising HUGO’s vital role in keeping wildlife away from community crops and property.
He also thanked partners like IGCP and CTPH for their support.
CUE IN …….JOSHUA MASEREKA ………………ENG//
Viva!’s donation to HUGO members in Buhoma and Nkuringo sectors is greatly appreciated, with promises to extend support to those in Ruhija and Rushaga sectors as well. UWA is committed to using this support to strengthen the relationship between mountain gorillas and local communities and advance gorilla conservation efforts alongside HUGO.
