Conservationists optimistic on gorilla numbers as census nears

SOURCE | | January 15th, 2025

 

The number of mountain gorillas is steadily increasing, which moved them from the status of critically endangered to endangered.

 

Julius Luwemba
Journalist
@New Vision

Several conservationists have expressed optimism about the rise in gorilla numbers as new births have, in the past, been witnessed within the 27 gorilla families across the four sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda. A total of 459 mountain gorillas were counted in Bwindi during the last census of 2018.

Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, Uganda’s first wildlife veterinary officer, revealed that a new census will be conducted this year, 2025, “apparently starting in February.”

According to Kalema, the number of mountain gorillas is steadily increasing, which moved them from the status of critically endangered to endangered.

“Only 300 gorillas were recorded in 1997 when I first participated. The numbers are steadily increasing due to several interventions, such as improved veterinary services, community engagement where locals are directly employed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, and revenue-sharing benefits whereby 20% of the fees from park entrance and 10% off each gorilla permit are given back to the communities,” she explained.

Playful young gorillas swinging up in the trees of Bwindi national park. (Credit: Julius Luwemba)

Playful young gorillas swinging up in the trees of Bwindi national park. (Credit: Julius Luwemba)

Dr Kalema made the remarks while leading her 15-year-old son Tendo Zikusoka on a gorilla tracking expedition last weekend.

Although Tendo grew up among the communities of Bwindi, it was his first time tracking gorillas. According to the policy, children below 15 years are not allowed to visit gorillas.

“They carry childhood diseases such as measles, mumps, common flu, cough, among others, which can easily spread to the great apes. Remember humans share 98.4% genetic material with gorillas, and even greater, 98.8% with chimpanzees,” noted the wildlife vet.

This was emphasised by Bashir Hangi, the spokesperson for Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), who added that, in addition to diseases, it is more risky for younger children to go to gorillas due to aggression risks.

“There is a call, however, to have the age standardised at 15 years for both mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. This will address increased aggression risk to younger tourists, among other reasons,” Hangi explained.

Meanwhile, upon seeing the gorillas for the first time, the 15-year-old Tendo Zikusoka appealed for concerted efforts to conserve their natural habitats.

“If we cut down forests and destroy wetlands, the wildlife vanishes. As we conserve such habitats, we should also avoid littering plastic material and emitting fumes and gases into the atmosphere,” Tendo implored.

Tendo Zikusoka with his mother, Gladys Kalema, during the gorilla tracking expedition in Bwindi national park. (Credit: Julius Luwemba)

Tendo Zikusoka with his mother, Gladys Kalema, during the gorilla tracking expedition in Bwindi national park. (Credit: Julius Luwemba)

About gorilla census

John Tugumisirize, a ranger guide in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi National Park, said the gorilla census is supposed to be carried out at most every five years.

“This is because gorillas tend to have 4-5 years of child spacing,” Tugumisirize remarked. Mountain gorillas are found only in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the national parks of Bwindi, Volcanoes, and Virungas National Park, respectively.

The previous mountain gorilla census of 2018 in Bwindi-Sarambwe gave an estimate of 459 individuals. Together with the Virunga census results of 2015, the total population of mountain gorillas was estimated at 1,063.

This year’s gorilla census will be coordinated by the International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP), a coalition of conservation organisations in the region. Information from IGCP indicates that the gorilla census does not actually involve counting individual gorillas.

“Survey teams instead search for signs of mountain gorillas, such as trails and footprints, and use these to locate gorilla nest sites, where they collect faecal samples that are stored and used for genetic and pathogen analyses,” states IGCP.

“Ahead of the census, a lot of work is already going on, including planning, engaging stakeholders, and fundraising for the census,” expressed Jean Paul, the IGCP deputy director.

He noted that the upcoming Bwindi census is expected to cost $700,000 (sh2.6b).

“Mountain gorilla censuses are an expensive investment that requires robust planning, mobilisation, fundraising, involvement, and collaboration of all conservation stakeholders,” he noted.

The upcoming Bwindi-Sarambwe population survey of mountain gorillas will be conducted by the protected area authorities in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (Uganda Wildlife Authority and l’Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature) under the transboundary framework of the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration.

The census will also be supported by the Rwanda Development Board, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, Institute of Tropical Forest Conservation, Gorilla Doctors/Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project, Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH), Wildlife Conservation Society, WWF Uganda Country Office, Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Trust, and Primate Expertise, among others.

Travel to Uganda and Japan Highlight New LEAP Offerings

SOURCEThe Mirror | September 18, 2024 by 

The new school year is upon us. Our unique lifestyle at school undergoes constant changes throughout the year, but Northwood doesn’t just look to change things; the community also looks to make additions. Some notable additions this year are the LEAP program’s two newest offerings.

Nagano is called a “powder paradise.” Photo: http://www.go-nagano.net.

LEAP is a one-of-a-kind program in which students get to experience going somewhere in the world or learning a new skill. LEAP offerings stay mostly the same, with many courses being around for years. There are, however, usually one or two unique course offerings that change every year. This year, those two new options are a skiing and cultural trip to Japan, designed by senior Gus Garvey ‘25; and a trip to Uganda where students will walk with gorillas.

The first of the two new courses is a trip to Japan, where students will get to ski while experiencing Japanese culture. What makes this LEAP so interesting is that it was designed by a student—senior Gus Garvey. Last year, Gus decided to create this course as his PEAK Pathway. PEAK Pathways is a year-long project where students learn about topics they are passionate about, then build a project around those interests. Gus had a passion for creating this trip as he is of Japanese descent and loves skiing. He shared, “This LEAP will be half skiing, half cultural. Students will get to experience Japanese culture from a variety of different perspectives—from the slopes of rural Nagano to the bustling melting pot of Tokyo.” He also shared his excitement to educate his fellow students as part of the trip: “In addition to having an excuse to go to one of my favorite places on earth, I also hope to provide valuable insight and guidance to the rest of the group due to my experience there.”

Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka is the parent of Northwood alum Ndhego Zikusoka ’25 and the spouse of Lawrence Zikusoka ’93.
Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka is the parent of Northwood alum Ndhego Zikusoka ’25 and the spouse of Lawrence Zikusoka ’93.

The second new LEAP is a trip to Uganda. This is possible because of an alumni connection with Lawrence (’93) and Ndhego Zikusoka ‘24. Lawrence Zikusoka’s wife, Gladys, is a world-renowned health and research expert in Uganda. Northwood decided to use this connection and transform it into an opportunity. This LEAP will be led by Ms. Fagan and Mr. Spear.

“We’re going to fly to Entebbe, a city in Uganda. And then, we are going to drive halfway across the country to spend a night in Queen Elizabeth National Park, where we will go on a game drive and meet employees of Dr Gladys’s non-profit health organization,” Fagan said.  This trip will focus on discovering the relationship between humans and apes; specifically, how viruses can be transmitted from humans to apes and vice versa. “We will also have a day where we trek in the jungle and follow a troop of gorillas. This is something that you need a permit for, so it’s a really cool and unique opportunity,” said Ms. Fagan.

Students will begin signing up for LEAP courses in the coming weeks.

Kalema-Zikusoka speaks for endangered mountain gorillas

source: | Saturday, September 21, 2024 By BAMUTARAKI MUSINGUZI

What you need to know:

  • Dr Kalema-Zikusoka, who is the founder and chief executive officer of Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH), says the great apes “exhibit emotions and behaviours similar to humans, which makes them incredibly fascinating to study and work with.”

 

Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka says she “felt a deep connection” after her first encounter with mountain gorillas. It was in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and she was “conducting research as a veterinary student at the Royal Veterinary College, University of London.”

At once, she was intrigued by the “gentle giants” if anything because they are “highly intelligent and social animals with complex family structures.”

Dr Kalema-Zikusoka, who is the founder and chief executive officer of Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH), says the great apes “exhibit emotions and behaviours similar to humans, which makes them incredibly fascinating to study and work with.”

Such is the uniqueness of gorillas that their survival, says Dr Kalema-Zikusoka, “affects the health of the entire forest environment.” Conserving them is, therefore, a no-brainer, at least in the book of Kalema-Zikusoka. The forest ecosystems whose health the great apes maintain “are vital for the broader environmental services that benefit both local and global populations.”

More than just apes

Then there are the economic benefits. Dr Kalema-Zikusoka chooses to use the adjective ‘profound’ when describing them. “Twenty percent of the park entry fee and $10 (Shs37,000) from every gorilla permit is put aside to support community development.”

The increase in the number of mountain gorillas from 650 to 1,063 across the past 27, commendable as it seems, feels like a drop in the ocean. Dr Kalema-Zikusoka, who has the distinction of being Uganda’s first wildlife veterinarian, is not under any illusions. Her gentle giants— found only in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)—remain “endangered or critically endangered.”

“Another significant threat particularly as the population of mountain gorillas is grows due to successful conservation efforts, is reduced habitat due to high human population growth rates and agricultural expansion,” she says, adding: “Poaching, although reduced, still remains a threat in some areas. Addressing these threats requires a multifaceted approach, including disease prevention, community engagement and habitat protection.”

Park rangers, whom Dr Kalema-Zikusoka describes as “the frontline defenders of our natural heritage”, cannot be celebrated enough. They help preach the gospel of conservation and “working collaboratively to find sustainable solutions to human-wildlife conflicts.” They do all this under challenging circumstances.

“Through the support of generous donors, CTPH trains the rangers to monitor the health of gorillas and other wildlife, including preventing disease transmission between people, wildlife and livestock through a One Health approach,” Dr Kalema-Zikusoka discloses.

“CTPH works with the rangers to offer health and veterinary services to ensure both the rangers and the wildlife they protect remain healthy. With support from donors, CTPH also supplies equipment and technology such as GPS devices, camera traps and communication tools, including smart phones to enhance their ability to monitor and protect wildlife,” she adds.

Conservation is key

CTPH promotes biodiversity conservation by enabling people, gorillas and other wildlife to coexist through improving their health and livelihoods in and around Africa’s protected areas and wildlife-rich habitats.

“We founded CTPH in 2003, after recognising the interconnectedness of wildlife health, human health, and conservation. While working as the first veterinarian for the Uganda Wildlife Authority, one of my first cases was a fatal scabies disease outbreak in then critically endangered mountain gorillas, which was traced to the local community living around the park,” she says.

She adds: “This made me realise it was not possible to keep the gorillas healthy without improving the health of their human neighbours. By improving the health of people and animals together, we could protect the gorillas, creating a win-win situation.”

During a tour of the lab at the Gorilla Health and Community Conservation Centre where most of CTPH’s work takes place, the CTPH Wildlife Health and Laboratory technician, Annaclet Ampeire, says their laboratory is a research facility and it helps them in gorilla health monitoring.

“Every month, we monitor all the habituated gorilla families in Bwindi and Mgahinga national parks through non-invasive faecal sample collection from gorilla night nests for analysis in this lab to find out if there is a zoonotic disease outbreak,” Ampeire reveals.

“We do this as an early warning system to detect possible zoonotic diseases that may be transmitted from humans and livestock to gorillas, and vice versa. If we find zoonotic diseases that have been transmitted from humans to wildlife, we carry out two community interventions. One, we collect livestock faecal samples, analyse them and treat the livestock. Two, we collect human stool samples together with medical staff of the nearby health centres, analyse them and treat the people,” Ampeire adds.

Dr Kalema-Zikusoka says CTPH’s work revolves around collecting gorilla faecal samples. The samples, she adds, “provide invaluable data on the health of the gorilla population.” This includes, but is not limited to “the presence of disease-causing pathogens, stress levels, and their diet.”

By regularly monitoring such indicators, CTPH can take proactive measures to prevent disease outbreaks “particularly between people, gorillas and livestock.” It can also “ensure the long-term survival of this endangered species.”

Empowering communities

CTPH also runs an initiative of Village Health and Conservation Teams (VHCTs). Dr Kalema-Zikusoka says: “VHCT coordinators are the backbone of our community-based health and conservation initiatives. They are responsible for training and mentoring village health and conservation team members, facilitating health education, and ensuring both human and wildlife health are monitored and addressed at the community level. Their work is vital in bridging the gap between conservation and public health.”

She adds: “They also collect quarterly data from other VHCTs, which our community health and conservation field officers then send to our monitoring and evaluation department for central management and decision-making. During the Covid-19 pandemic, a section of VHCTs were trained to become members of the village Covid-19 taskforces and led the taskforces in 59 villages to carry out community surveillance, referrals and home-based care as per the Ministry of Health guidelines.”

Kate Namusisi is a VHCT coordinator. Before entering her home in Kwenda Cell, Buhoma Town Council in Kanungu District, she requests us to wash our hands using the tippy tap hand washing device placed in her compound.

“It is important to wash your hands before entering one’s house to avoid transmitting germs or other disease organisms,” she says.

Dr Kalema-Zikusoka describes Namusisi as “an exemplary and trusted leader in her role as the VHTC team coordinator of Mukono Parish in Buhoma Town Council.” The two have worked together for many years.

“The VHCT programme has had a significant impact on both human and gorilla health. By improving access to healthcare and health education in remote communities, we’ve seen a reduction in disease transmission between humans and gorillas,” Dr Kalema-Zikusoka says, adding that communities have been empowered along the way, with VHCTs growing from 26 in 2007 to 430 this year.

Influences

While growing up, Dr Kalema-Zikusoka was surrounded by pets and would eventually become a veterinarian in her adulthood. After graduating as a veterinarian from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), University of London, she returned home to become the first wildlife veterinarian for the Uganda National Parks (UNP), now Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). She also set up the veterinary department at UWA.

“I grew up with lots of pets at home – the usual cats and dogs, and they became my companions. When they got sick, I hated seeing them suffering and would miss school to go with my mother to get the animals treated at the small animal clinic at Wandegeya in Kampala. By the age of 12, I had decided that I wanted to become a veterinary doctor,” she says

“When I was in Senior Six at Kibuli Secondary School, I got an opportunity to revive the wildlife club as the chairperson. We took the students to Queen Elizabeth National Park, a magical time and a turning point in my life where I decided to become a veterinarian who can also bring Uganda’s wildlife back to its former glory. This deep empathy for animals, combined with a passion for science, eventually led me to pursue veterinary medicine as a way to make a tangible difference in their lives,” she adds.

Dr Kalema-Zikusoka met her future husband, Lawrence Zikusoka, in North Carolina, and they got engaged in March 2001. Gladys and Zikusoka had their traditional introduction ceremony (kwanjula) at her ancestral home in Kiboga District on July 28, 2001. They got married at All Saints Cathedral in Kampala on August 4, 2001.

“Balancing family life with my work at CTPH has been challenging, but I’ve managed by trying my best to stay organised, prioritising tasks, and relying on a strong support system. My family understands and shares my passion for conservation, which makes it easier to manage these dual responsibilities,” she says.

She adds: “My husband is one of the founders of CTPH and was the first donor, so he understands and appreciates my journey in conservation. We intentionally engage our two sons, Ndhego and Tendo in our conservation work, and they have developed a passion for animals and nature, as well as developed long lasting relationships with the local children at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.”

 

 

Pour protéger les gorilles, il faut prendre soin des gens qui vivent à leurs côtés

SOURCE | 

La vétérinaire ougandaise Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka se bat depuis une trentaine d’années pour préserver les derniers gorilles des montagnes de son pays, tout en améliorant les conditions de vie de la population. Elle était récemment de passage à Genève

Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka en train de collecter des échantillons dans la forêt de Bwindi. — © Jo Anne McArthur
Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka en train de collecter des échantillons dans la forêt de Bwindi. — © Jo Anne McArthur

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C’est en voyant le singe vervet appartenant à son voisin se mettre au piano et heurter les touches de ses doigts si proches de ceux des humains que Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, alors enfant, a développé une fascination pour les primates. Après des études en Angleterre, l’Ougandaise est retournée dans son pays natal pour y exercer en tant que vétérinaire de la vie sauvage. Un poste qui l’a amenée à travailler au contact d’une des dernières populations de gorilles des montagnes existant sur la planète.

Ces «géants gentils», comme elle les appelle, ne vivent plus aujourd’hui que dans deux régions: le massif des Virunga, à cheval entre RDC, Rwanda et Ouganda, et la forêt impénétrable de Bwindi, en Ouganda. C’est dans cette zone montagneuse et luxuriante située au sud-ouest du pays que la primatologue, récipiendaire de plusieurs prix prestigieux, a développé une approche novatrice combinant soins médicaux, conservation de l’environnement et sensibilisation communautaire. Un travail qu’elle relate dans son ouvrage récent Walking with Gorillas (inédit en français). Le Temps l’a rencontrée à l’occasion de son passage à l’Université de Genève, où elle a donné une conférence.