Chimp Life
In the lush jungles of Uganda, clans of chimpanzees roam the land. Their haunting calls and cries echo through the mist, awakening primal energy. Take a journey into the forest and discover how conservation action is protecting our closest relatives, while restoring their fragile habitat.
Location: Kibale Forest, Uganda
Species: Pan troglodytes
Status: Endangered (2024)
Fun fact: Chimpanzees are omnivorous. They mostly eat fruit, and are known to sometimes eat monkeys.
Kibale Forest Chimpanzees
Early morning, we make our way down a narrow dirt road deep into the forest of Kibale. Our guide, a team leader under the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), asks us if we've watched Chimp Empire, the famous Netflix documentary. We chuckle as we had watched it in the plane over to Africa. He mentions that he led the film crew through this very forest as they documented the neighbouring clan. As we softly chat, the stillness in the forest is striking; the air is heavy with anticipation and dark clouds announce an impending storm.
It isn't long until we are met by other members of the conservation authority, dressed head to toe in full army camouflage gear. As we clutch onto our photography gear, they keep a tight grip on their rifles and heavy weaponry. The UWA takes poaching and conservation very seriously; these armed men and women monitor the chimpanzees and keep them safe from humans with ill intent. Our guide explains that these protectors spend their day with the chimpanzees, tracking their movements and keeping a watchful eye on the surroundings. Unlike other communities, these primates have been habituated to human presence, accepting us in their domain, as long as we give them space and remember that we play by their rules.
We are quickly briefed about proper chimpanzee etiquette, ensuring that we offer a respectful berth and that we wear our masks to prevent any cross contamination of airborne illnesses. As close relatives, chimpanzees are prone to contracting our germs and succumbing to sickness. Equipped with masks, cameras, and curiosity, we quickly encounter our jungle hosts. Quiet at first, the chimpanzees seem to be observing us, as much as we examine them.
Within minutes, the sky tears open and a deluge drops from the sky. As if activated by the rain, these primates came alive with a roar of excitement. Referred to as the Rain Dance, the chimpanzees started swinging from the trees, beating their chests, and howling at the top of their lungs. Plunged into the chaos, we were mesmerized by this primal spectacle, watching in awe while the chimps would run between us, sometimes brushing against our legs. Without a doubt, we could feel the absolute might and power being exemplified before us.
We clumsily tried to race through the jungle, keeping our eyes and lenses focused on these quick beings. Soaked from head to toe, our cameras drenched, we fiercely tried to capture as many shots as possible, under the watchful gaze of our guide and patrollers. To limit disturbance, groups are only allowed a one-hour period of observation, meaning that we had to soak up every second. When our time ran out, we promptly made our way back to the base camp, with full hearts and full SD cards.
While making our way back, we learnt about the impact of eco-tourism and its impact on the local economy. While the majority of funds are used in the work being conducted by rangers, educators, and researchers within the wildlife authority, 20% of the money brought in by tourists support local community projects. Partnerships between the government, UWA, and community leaders facilitate sustainable initiatives through these funds, benefiting the lives of people in this region.
For more information about chimpanzee habituation, visit Kibale National Forest
Find out how the Uganda Wildlife Authority is conserving and sustaining the country's wildlife
