Chimpanzee Trekking
Chimpanzees are found in 21 countries in Africa. They used to be found in 25 countries and it is estimated that within 20 years, 10 countries will have lost all their chimpanzees.
Like the mountain gorillas, Uganda probably has lost 90% of its chimpanzees and most of the great apes in the last 500 years while the human population has increased by 800% in the last 100 years alone.
There are only 4,950 chimpanzees left in the Uganda and conserved in the zoos, sanctuaries and a few remaining rain forests. 98.4% of sub-counties in Uganda have more people than all the Chimpanzees in Uganda.
Chimpanzees and other primates such as monkeys can be seen in while on your safari travel to Uganda more easily than anywhere else in the world. They already attract tourists.
Where you can visit the Chimpanzees in Uganda.Ngamba Island Chimpanzee sanctuary. Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is found 23 Kilometers off shore from Entebbe on Lake Victoria, located on a beautiful forested island and is home to approximately 40 chimpanzees rescued from poachers and other forms of private captivity. The semi-wild environment allows for close viewing of the animals in their natural habitat. Optional extra: a day’s forest walks with the mischievous chimps as they play in the forest.
Kibale National Park
Kibale Forest National park the park is probably the highest primate density conservation Area in Africa. The park boasts of thirteen species of primate which include the chimpanzees, Red colobus monkeys, the blues, black and white colobus monkeys, galagos among others.
More About the Chimpanzees
As seen in most pictures, Chimps have large bodies with four limbs and share 98% of the human genes, making them our closest living relative on earth.
Chimpanzees give birth every 4-5 years and look after their infants for 10-12 years before they are old enough to survive on their own.
These species live in communities that split up and join again later unlike gorillas who stay together .Chimpanzees have cultural differences- communities have different life styles.
Chimpanzees can use tools. They use rocks to crack nuts, sticks to fish for termites and make sponges from leaves to soak up water for drinking from hole in trees.
Chimpanzees periodically organize hunts to catch monkeys or small antelopes.
It is illegal to kill, capture or keep a Chimpanzee in Uganda. The Uganda Wildlife Authority can assist in the rescue of illegally held animals. Call UWA for help 041 346287
Threats to Chimpanzees in Uganda
Chimpanzees are an endangered species because they are rare and declining rapidly across Africa. International law protects chimpanzees because they are threatened by extinction. The main cause of decline is due to activity of people which include:
-Chimpanzees are losing their home in Uganda. In the past 15 years, over 800 sq kms of forest has been cut down where chimpanzees live mostly
-Chimpanzees are hunted for meat in some parts of Uganda. Most chimpanzees get killed each year for meat in Africa than all the Chimpanzees in Uganda.
-Chimpanzees are also hunted for petty trade. For every baby Chimpanzee caught in the wild, approximately 10 chimpanzees die in the process
-The endangered species in also killed or maimed by wire traps set for antelopes in the forests. 25% of Chimpanzees studies in Uganda have injuries from traps.
Chimp conservation
The Uganda government has set a side land to save the remaining Apes mainly the chimpanzees in the safari parks, zoo and Ngamba Island sanctuary. It has also set up rules to govern the chimpanzee trekking activity so that their ecosystem is conserved.
These conservation areas have become famous safari destinations n Uganda, since many people come from all parts of the world to see these great apes and more to that, our relatives.
