Chimpanzee trust set to intervene in human-wildlife conflicts

Oct 20, 2014

In a move to reverse the increasing human and wildlife conflict which has led to the loss of over 5 lives in the last two years, Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Trust has embarked on a spirited awareness campaign aimed at striking a harmonious rapport between the Ugandans and Wildlife, especially chimpanzees.

By Solomon Oleny

In a move to reverse the increasing human and wildlife conflict which has led to the loss of over 5 lives in the last two years, Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Trust has embarked on a spirited awareness campaign aimed at striking a harmonious rapport between the Ugandans and Wildlife, especially chimpanzees.


While addressing a fundraising gathering of approximately 70 comprising of conservationists, tourism enthusiasts and corporate organizations-at Sheraton last Saturday, Lilly Ajarova, Executive Director Chimpanzee Trust, also Executive Director Ngamba Chimpanzee Island blamed the bitter relationship to lack of a deeper understanding of the primates by the public especially communities neighbouring the parks.

“Owing to the fact that humans just like chimpanzees are territorial, these communities think of the primates as rivals who are a threat to their lives and their properties especially farms. As such, whenever they cross each other’s paths, fierce conflicts erupt sometimes climaxing with extreme damages like death.” Ajarova explained

In its commitment to put a bookmark to this misunderstanding, the Chimpanzee sanctuary alongside the Uganda Wildlife Authority Ministry of Tourism and Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) flagged off the initiative by interesting the gathering into embracing practices that can effectively address the issue at hand, especially conservation and re-afforestation.

The event which was also used to welcome Chimpanzee Trusts’ new partners in conservation inclusive of Brussels Airlines, Post Bank, Sheraton and Emin Pasha Hotels among others was used to tip all on how to can defend themselves whenever attacked or offended by primates.

According to Stephen Asiimwe UTB Executive Officer, this approach was largely inspired by the fact that primates especially chimpanzees and gorillas are the biggest attractions that have influenced the overwhelming influx of tourists to Uganda over the last two years.

“Thanks to this influx, the Tourism Sector has now emerged as the country’s top revenue exchange earner contributing over $1.4B to the Economy--as jointly reported by the Ministry of Finance and Uganda Bureau of Statistics in the September.”Asiimwe highlighted

Thanks to the positive reception of the campaign by the attendees, the fundraising dinner through the auction of wildlife and African souvenir items realized approximately 10M shillings--which will be used in taking care of the 27 chimpanzees habituated in Ngamba Island. 

According to Ajarova, this financial realization will be used to supplement the feeding of the chimps for the next 2-3months. 

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