Census confirms chimpanzee presence in Bwindi Forest
The historic exercise, which lasted a full month, has verified long-standing claims and ushered in a new era of evidence-based conservation for one of Uganda’s most treasured ecosystems.
James Byamukama, the Executive Director of the Jane Goodall Institute in Uganda (2nd left) interacting with data collectors upon completion of the Chimpanzee census. (Photos by Job Namanya)
By Job Namanya
Journalists @New Vision
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After years of speculation and anecdotal reports, the presence of chimpanzees in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has finally been confirmed, thanks to the first-ever systematic census of these elusive primates.
The historic exercise, which lasted a full month, has verified long-standing claims and ushered in a new era of evidence-based conservation for one of Uganda’s most treasured ecosystems.
A scientific milestone in conservation
The census was a monumental effort carried out under the guidance of the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) in partnership with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
Its objective was clear: To determine the actual population size of chimpanzees in the park, map their distribution, assess the condition of their habitat, and identify the threats facing them.
The census spanned all four tourism sectors of Bwindi—Buhoma, Ruhiija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. It utilised a method known as the Marked Nest Count.
This non-invasive, standard technique involved tracking and counting nests built by chimpanzees, an essential behaviour used by scientists to estimate population sizes without disturbing the animals.
Five multidisciplinary field teams composed of trained field personnel and UWA rangers systematically covered over 150 kilometres of forest terrain. These teams walked pre-determined transects, meticulously recording each nest and associated evidence.
The integration of digital tools such as Survey123 alongside traditional paper data sheets ensured that the data collected was not only accurate but also geo-referenced for easy analysis and mapping.
Turning speculation into science
The closing ceremony, held at Rushaga Gorilla Camp in Rubuguri town council in Kisoro district, was a moment of reflection and pride.
Addressing participants and stakeholders, Jane Goodall Institute in Uganda executive director James Byamukama expressed profound satisfaction with the outcome.
"There has always been a claim that there are chimpanzees in Bwindi. I have been traversing this park since 2004, but had never seen one myself. Now, with this census, we have scientific proof. This marks the end of speculation," Byamukama said.
One of the Chimpanzee nests observed in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
According to Byamukama, the idea of conducting the census emerged during the process of developing Uganda’s National Chimpanzee Conservation Strategy, a task commissioned by the tourism ministry three years ago.
Through literature reviews and stakeholder consultations, the Jane Goodall Institute found repeated mentions of chimpanzee sightings in Bwindi, particularly in previous mountain gorilla census reports.
"Aligning with our mission of advancing chimpanzee conservation, we collaborated with UWA and the Institute for Tropical Forest Conservation (ITFC) to take this a step further—from claim to fact. The result is what we celebrate today," he said.
Fieldwork in a forest of extremes
Leading the census operation on the ground was Michael Jurua, a conservation science manager with the Jane Goodall Institute. He described the fieldwork as both rewarding and challenging.
“Bwindi is one of the most ecologically diverse and physically demanding environments we have worked in,” he said.
Jurua’s team had to navigate steep, muddy terrain and endure erratic rainfall, all while managing with limited telecommunication connectivity. Yet, despite these obstacles, the teams managed to complete two thorough sweeps of the forest, each round covering approximately 39 kilometres.
"Our team’s resilience and commitment were key to the successful completion of this exercise. We are now in the process of preparing the data for expert analysis to determine the stem density and distribution of chimpanzees in Bwindi." Jurua added.
Beyond numbers: A holistic approach
What sets this census apart is its comprehensive scope. In addition to chimpanzee nest counts, the teams gathered data on ecological conditions, human activity, and illegal operations within the park. This multi-layered approach will allow conservationists to evaluate threats not only to chimpanzees but also to other wildlife and the integrity of the park’s ecosystem.
"We aim to use this data to better understand the park’s vegetation cover and even the unusual behaviors exhibited by the chimpanzees here, such as their tendency to build nests on the ground instead of in trees," Byamukama noted.
Laying groundwork for future policy and tourism
Representing UWA executive director Dr James Musinguzi at the event, Bwindi-Mgahinga Conservation Area chief warden Nelson Guma emphasised the strategic importance of the census.
"I am happy with this inaugural census and very eager to see what the findings will tell us. The results will be instrumental in guiding conservation planning, protected area management, policy formulation, and the development of regional biodiversity strategies," Guma said.
Guma also underscored the potential benefits for tourism and community development.
“If chimpanzees are eventually habituated and opened up for tracking, just like the mountain gorillas, it would diversify our tourism offerings and draw even more visitors to the region. This, in turn, would increase revenue and foster stronger community conservation partnerships,” he added.
Moreover, data from the census may help inform mitigation strategies for human-wildlife conflicts, especially in communities bordering the park.
Embracing new tools and techniques
Among the field team members was Geresom Muhumuza, a seasoned data collector who has participated in four chimpanzee censuses elsewhere in Uganda. Yet, he described the Bwindi experience as uniquely enriching.
"This particular census exposed me to advanced digital tools and techniques that greatly improved the quality and accuracy of our work. It also deepened my understanding of how data can be used to advocate for policy and conservation changes," Muhumuza shared.
The integration of technology, ranging from GPS mapping to mobile data collection applications, enabled the teams to compile one of the most detailed datasets ever gathered for chimpanzees in Uganda.
What next?
The next step in the process is data analysis. A scientific committee will evaluate the collected information to produce a comprehensive report on the chimpanzee population in Bwindi. This report will also identify high-risk zones for illegal activity, assess habitat health, and provide recommendations for future conservation efforts.
While the final report is expected to take several weeks or months to complete, the preliminary confirmation of chimpanzees in the park already represents a significant victory for conservation in Uganda.
A boost for Bwindi’s global appeal
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site globally known for its mountain gorilla population. Every year, thousands of tourists travel from around the world to trek through its thick jungle in search of gorillas.
The addition of chimpanzee tracking—if successfully introduced—would make Bwindi a rare dual-primate destination, potentially rivalling even Kibale National Park, the current stronghold for chimpanzee tourism in Uganda.