CHIMP CAPTURED -TAKEN TO UWEC

An adult male chimpanzee, weighing between 45 and 50 kilograms and belonging to the Kyampisi Mubende Chimp community, has been captured for translocation to UWEC to ensure the safety of both humans and chimps.

This individual was observed on social media, playfully striking a human as three individuals rode on a motorcycle.

A team consisting of veterinarians from both UWA and the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) operating in the Kibale Conservation Area arrived at the scene yesterday to identify the individual, who is evidently over-habituated and is likely to cause more harm if he remains in the community, nested and de-nested this morning.

Kyampisi is a small forest holding that previously housed ten chimpanzees, but now only nine remain after the capture of the adult male.

These chimpanzees traverse the forest patches while also engaging with humans, who have unfortunately become overly accustomed to their presence, and there are reports of local communities feeding the chimpanzees, a behavior that poses significant risks for both humans and wildlife.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority, Human Wildlife Conflict department in Kampala is dedicated to educating the communities on how to coexist safely with the chimpanzees, and this will involve providing guidance on the appropriate behaviors and practices for living alongside them.