World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in collaboration with, Uganda Wild Life Authority, Greater Virunga Transboundary and other partner Collaboration with partners have embarked on a four day exercise of counting of mountain gorillas in Bwindi, Uganda.
The new scientific count will provide a robust estimate of the number of mountain gorillas living in Bwindi, and an indication of how the population has changed since the previous census that was carried out in 2018.
Ivan Tumuhimbise, the country director for WWF said the Bwindi – Sarambwe census will also include the first ever count of chimpanzees in the landscape.
“The count of chimpanzees in the Bwindi – Sarambwe landscape, led by the Jane Goodall Institute, is going to be the first ever to determine the population of chimpanzees in this ecosystem, changing the conservation story and branding of Bwindi – Sarambwe as the only landscape with two endangered great apes of mountain gorillas and chimpanzee co-existing with another great ape, the human being” added the Country Director.
The new Bwindi – Sarambwe census will also provide information on demographics (age and sex ratio) within the Bwindi – Sarambwe population, and the location of groups in relation to each other within the ecosystem, on illegal activities, vegetation dynamics in the gorilla habitat, and the status of other large mammals.
“It is always an honor for WWF to spearhead the mountain gorilla census process. Working closely with the mountain gorilla range countries and other partners, we look forward to delivering a comprehensive Bwindi census that will contribute to the conservation of mountain gorillas,” Tumuhimbise added.
Six teams comprising staff from the 11 participating institutions have begun systematically moving on foot through Bwindi, looking for signs of mountain gorillas, recording mountain gorilla nest sites4, and collecting fecal samples to be used for genetic analyses. Unlike previous censuses, where samples were shipped abroad for analysis, genetic analysis for this new census in Bwindi – Sarambwe will be carried out within the region. This will not only reduce logistics for shipping samples but also contribute to local capacity building in terms of equipment and personnel.
“The census is a true testament to the strength of collaboration, which has been at the heart of efforts to save the endangered mountain gorillas” explains Dr. Andrew Sseguya, Executive Secretary of the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration.
Data and sample collection and analyses will continue through 2025 and results from the count will be released in 2026.
Nelson Guma, Chief Park Warden for Bwindi – Mgahinga conservation area in Uganda, emphasized thats this census means a lot for Bwindi and for Uganda at large. “It is an important exercise that measures our success in conserving the endangered mountain gorilla as a flagship species for our protected areas. It will also tell us about the integrity of the protected areas as critical habitats for survival of the endangered mountain gorillas. It is further an opportunity to share our experiences of conducting the mountain gorilla census and enhance methodologies that can be adopted by other gorilla range states as a best practice. The results will be significant for planning and enhancing strategies for sustainable gorilla conservation,”
The 2018 Bwindi-Sarambwe census resulted in an estimate of 459 individuals in 36 social groups and 16 solitary mountain gorillas.
In 2018, the threat status for mountain gorillas was downgraded from ‘Critically Endangered’ to ‘Endangered’ in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species due to the recorded increase in their population as demonstrated by repeated census operations.
Bwindi – Sarambwe is one of the two natural habitats on earth where mountain gorillas can be found.
