The Gorilla Guardians of Bwindi, Uganda

Whilst the fundraising campaign did not reach its ambitious target, CTPH is very grateful to our many supporters who contributed to the project. Funds raised though GlobalGiving were put towards the on going Gorilla Guardians program which has achieved the following.

• In April 2019, 212 Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers in Bwindi and Mgahinga Conservation Areas were trained in gorilla health monitoring.
• By the end of 2019, 119 Gorilla Guardians were trained in gorilla health monitoring and ranger based data collection, including non-invasive sample collection and safely herding gorillas back to the forest, especially when they ranged in the community land.
• By the end of 2019, 119 pairs of gum boots were purchased and distributed to 119 Gorilla Guardians.
• 10 new gorilla guardians were recruited from Buremba and Mpungu parishes bordering Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. They received the same training as existing gorilla guardians.
• 500 sample pots were purchased for the practical training of gorilla guardians. Other training materials purchased included rulers, note books and stationery.

There is a plan to hold another refresher training in April 2020 and fundraising for this refresher training is ongoing.

Whilst we did not meet our fundraising target for the Gorilla Guardian campaign, we learnt from the experience and anticipate our next project benefitting from the lessons learnt.

Links:

• https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/the-gorilla-guardians-of-bwindi-uganda/
• Conservation Through Public Health