Conserve the environment- Dr. Goodall

Jun 07, 2018

Goodall is passionate about nature and is one of the founders of Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary, a home to 49 chimps.

PIC: Dr. Jane Goodall being welcomed by the staff of Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary at the airport. (Credit: Julius Luwemba)

Ngamba Island celebrates 20th anniversary

KAMPALA- Upon her arrival in Uganda, Dr. Jane Goodall called upon the community to always preserve the environment in order to save the species. Dr. Goodall jetted in the country on Wednesday afternoon ahead of the 20th celebration of Ngamba chimpanzee sanctuary, scheduled this evening (Thursday June 7) at Speke Resort Munyonyo.

Dr. Goodall a re-known United Nations (UN) ambassador for peace and also a staunch conservationist, will stay in Uganda for the next four days. According to Lilly Ajarova, the executive director for Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Goodall's visit to Uganda will help to promote tourism in the country.

"She is passionate about nature and is one of the founders of Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary, a home to 49 chimps," said Ajarova yesterday while receiving the senior conservationist.

On Saturday, according to Ajarova, Goodall will spend the day at the Uganda Wildlife Education and Conservation Centre interacting with children and animals.

On Sunday, she will sail to Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary, where she will spend a night with the chimps before exiting the pearl of Africa on Monday.

Goodall having a light moment with the children upon her arrival in Uganda. (Credit: Julius Luwemba)

Ngamba @20 years

June 7, is the climax of the 20-year anniversary celebrations since Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary was established in 1998 as a home for orphaned Chimpanzees.

The 100-acre forested piece of land is located 23km off-shore from Entebbe and one of the islands that form Koome sub-county in Mukono district. Ngamba Island is a safe haven for juvenile/orphaned chimpanzees. They are free to enjoy the natural habitat of the area.

The sanctuary is a non-profit organisation being managed by the Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust (CSWCT), partnering with other organisations committed to the welfare of wildlife.

Ajarova said the 49 chimpanzees at Ngamba island are part of an estimated 200,000 left in Africa.

"The Chimps are getting extinct and humans have been responsible for much of the suffering towards those primates," says Ajarova.

She said human activities such as poaching, deforestation among others, have left chimps victimized, which will soon lead to their extinction.

"We came up with community conservation programmes that aim at conserving wildlife at the island and surrounding areas. We also sensitise and train people on how to love and handle chimpanzees," says Ajarova.

She added: "Through a programme known as sustainable living on lake Victoria, Ngamba for the past years, has extended clean water, education, health services, among other necessities, to nearby island residents."

Ajarova says communities neighbouring the chimpanzee sanctuary are granted four days every year to freely tour the sanctuary and are sensitised about chimps. It helps people understand the value of chimps and nature as a whole.

Ajarova with Goodall at the airport. (Credit: Julius Luwemba)

Some of the chimpanzees at Ngamba Island. (Courtesy photo)