Support to solve the effect of flooding at Ngamba

Update report – Mitigation of the effects of flooding on Ngamba Island - 2024

Background

Early this year,Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary experienced an unprecedented crisis due to severe flooding caused by a high increase in water levels in Lake Victoria which caused significant damages to our facilities to include; the wooden electric fence line, staff residences, visitor’s center, the boat docking pier and the electric fencing.

In July 2024, the water levels started reclining thus opening up for renovations and repairs to the affected structures. Thanks to our generous individual donors and organizations fore mentioned, who responded swiftly to our call for support. Their support made us able to take immediate action to reinforce the pier, staff facilities and reconstruct the electric buffer fence that were on the verge of collapsing.

Main challenges

• Some of the sanctuary buildings were flooded. Essential facilities including volunteer accommodations, sanctuary souvenir shop, restaurant, and staff residences were affected with flood water.
• The docking pier was submerged and was weakened by the waves. This made it a risky area for both the staff and the guests.
• The chimpanzee electric Fence was compromised by the rising water levels. This fence if is crucial for the safety of our rescued chimpanzees and the staff. Some parts of the electric fence were on the brink of collapsing. A buffer fence line comprised of wooden fence posts was completely compromised and collapsed.

Works that were done

The repairs to the fence included replacing wooden poles with galvanized metal poles which are more resilient to the impact of weather and provide a secure buffer zone between the main electric fence line and the staff/visitor areas. This reconstructed fence covered a total of 280 meters completed with 28 lines of steel electrified wire attached to the posts with plastic insulators.

A gabion basket filled with stones was modified to support the electric fencing that extends inot the lake. The previous wall fence had cracked. The Gabion solution allows for movement of water without compromising the fence itself.

Renovations on the walls of the staff residences, visitor center, and souvenir shop which had crumbled due to the effects of the increased water level. Re-plastering of the walls, constructing raised verandahs around the structures to prevent flooding into the rooms and re-painting of the walls was done.

The pier was strengthened with additional galvanized posts and mesh. This has enabled the boats to dock safely and made it safer for people to walk on.

In conclusion, though flooding remains a concern, we are confident that the constructions and repairs will help protect the sanctuary facilities and its inhabitants from risks like chimp escapes among others