The Gorilla Guardians of Bwindi, Uganda

This report covers the progress on Conservation Through Public Health’s project on GlobalGiving, ‘The Gorilla Guardians of Bwindi, Uganda #44078

Our last report was submitted in November 2022. By that time, the project had a total of 292 donations from 125 donors. Of these donors, 5 were monthly donors and the project has 1 fundraiser. $20,272 of our $30,000 goal was raised. Todate, the project has raised $22,482 of the of $30,000 funding goal, with a total of 328 donations from 134 donors. 5 of these are monthly donors with 1 fundraiser.

What we have done

Gorilla Health Monitoring

Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH) field team, led by the Wildlife Health and Laboratory Technician together with Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers and Gorilla Guardians, continued the routine activity of gorilla health monitoring through non-invasive gorilla fecal sample collection from gorilla night nests, from all the 23 habituated gorilla groups of Bwindi and Mgahinga Conservation Area (BMCA).

Since the last report (from November 2022 to date), our field team managed to collect 747 gorilla fecal samples and analysed them to identify any diseases gorillas have and that they could be sharing with people and livestock neighboring the gorilla habitat.

The Gorilla Guardians continued their role of chasing gorillas back to the forest whenever they came out of the park to forage in people’s gardens. The Guardians also reported to us they are chasing elephants.

“Elephants love Eucalyptus trees, millet, bananas and potatoes. We are always on Guard these days to chase them back to the forest whenever they come to people gardens” said Jeremiah Tugabe, one of the Gorilla Guardians of Bwindi.

Other updates

Gorilla Group interactions

Silverback Kanywani, from Rushegura gorilla family split from his group and went with two females from Rushegura group and another female from Katwe gorilla family to create his own family which is yet to be given a family name. Kanywani was also joined by an unknown Sub Adult Female from an unknown gorilla family bringing his family to 5. This left Rushegura Gorilla family with 16 individuals and Katwe family with 9 individuals.

In Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kyaguriro gorilla family was joined by one individual whose age, sex and name are not yet known. The family has been composed of 2 Black Backs 1 Juvenile and 1 silverback, Rukara. All females from Kyaguriro A moved to Kyaguriro B gorilla family, leaving Rukara because of his advanced age.

New gorilla birth

We are glad to share with you the news of a new addition to the world’s mountain gorilla population. This quarter, we registered the first gorilla birth at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP) this year.

Adult female Tomvi of Mukiza Gorilla family gave birth to a healthy baby on Valentine’s Day, 14/02/2023 which resounded quite well with the season.

This increases the Mukiza gorilla family from 18 to 19 individuals. The mother and father have since been very protective of their little bundle of joy who is yet to be given a name. We shall share the baby’s name as soon as our partners Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) names the baby.

We greatly appreciate GlobalGiving and all the individual donors on the GlobalGiving platform for all the continued generous support towards the work of the Gorilla Guardians of Bwindi

Links:

• Visit here for CTPH Latest News

This report covers the progress on Conservation Through Public Health’s project on GlobalGiving, ‘The Gorilla Guardians of Bwindi, Uganda #44078

Our last report was submitted in July 2022. By that time, the project had a total of 261 donations from 123 donors with 6 monthly donors and 1 fundraiser. To date, the project has 292 donations from 125 donors. Of these donors, 5 are monthly donors and the project has 1 fundraiser. We have so far raised $20,272 of our $30,000 goal.

What we have done

Gorilla Health Monitoring

Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH) field team, led by the Wildlife Health and Laboratory Technician together with Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers and Gorilla Guardians, continued to carry out routine gorilla health monitoring through non-invasive gorilla fecal sample collection from gorilla night nests, from all the 23 habituated gorilla groups of Bwindi and Mgahinga Conservation Area (BMCA).

Since the last report (from July 2022 to date), our field team managed to collect 699 gorilla fecal samples and analysed them to identify any diseases gorillas have and that they could be sharing with people and livestock neighboring the gorilla habitat.

Gorilla Guardians of Bwindi receive Rain Gear

In October 2022, Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH) team, together with Uganda Wildlife Authority, distributed brand new rain gear (trousers and jackets) to all the 119 Gorilla Guardians of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This rain gear will enable them to carry on with their critical work even during the heavy rains which are common in areas around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.

 We appreciate Milkywire and all the individual donors on the GlobalGiving platform for all the continued generous support towards the Gorilla Guardians of Bwindi.

Links:

• Visit here for CTPH Latest News