By Baluku Geoffrey
Kampala, Uganda
Kampala, Uganda
The number of the endangered Mountain Gorillas in the famed Bwindi Forest - Uganda has shot up from 300 in 1997 to 340 according to results that were carried out last year.
Mr. Moses Mapesa, the Executive Director Uganda Wild life Authority (UWA) says that the 12% growth in numbers is a clear indication that wildlife conservation programs being implemented in Bwindi Forest National park continue to produce positive results. He further notes that the total population of mountain gorillas in the world stands at about 720 with half that number in Uganda alone.
According to the census carried out between April and June 2006, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park now has a total of 30 gorilla groups up from 28 in 1997 with the numbers in each group varying between 3 and 28. The census which was supported by several conservation groups also found 11 solitary males which are not yet attached to a particular family.
The census found that the percentage proportion of groups with several males (multimale) fell from 45% in the 1997 and 2002 censuses to 23% in the 2006 census. According to a UWA press statement; this represents a normal fluctuation in the dynamics of gorilla groups.
Of the 30 groups, five are habituated of which four are utilised for tourism while one is used for research. The five habituated gorilla groups have a total of 76 gorillas constituting 23% of the total gorilla population in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Because of the increase in the gorilla population, UWA has started a habituation process for two more groups in Rushega and Ruhija in abid to boost Tourism revenue and satisfy the increasing public demand for gorilla tracking.
According to the researchers- "overall, the gorilla population has been increasing at an approximate annual growth rate of 1%, which is indicative of a healthy and well protected population".
Mapesa adds that the population contains a sufficient number of adult breeding females, as well as a sufficient number of adult breeding females, as well as a large proportion of immature individuals who will become breeding individuals in the near future.
Mr. Moses Mapesa, the Executive Director Uganda Wild life Authority (UWA) says that the 12% growth in numbers is a clear indication that wildlife conservation programs being implemented in Bwindi Forest National park continue to produce positive results. He further notes that the total population of mountain gorillas in the world stands at about 720 with half that number in Uganda alone.
According to the census carried out between April and June 2006, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park now has a total of 30 gorilla groups up from 28 in 1997 with the numbers in each group varying between 3 and 28. The census which was supported by several conservation groups also found 11 solitary males which are not yet attached to a particular family.
The census found that the percentage proportion of groups with several males (multimale) fell from 45% in the 1997 and 2002 censuses to 23% in the 2006 census. According to a UWA press statement; this represents a normal fluctuation in the dynamics of gorilla groups.
Of the 30 groups, five are habituated of which four are utilised for tourism while one is used for research. The five habituated gorilla groups have a total of 76 gorillas constituting 23% of the total gorilla population in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Because of the increase in the gorilla population, UWA has started a habituation process for two more groups in Rushega and Ruhija in abid to boost Tourism revenue and satisfy the increasing public demand for gorilla tracking.
According to the researchers- "overall, the gorilla population has been increasing at an approximate annual growth rate of 1%, which is indicative of a healthy and well protected population".
Mapesa adds that the population contains a sufficient number of adult breeding females, as well as a sufficient number of adult breeding females, as well as a large proportion of immature individuals who will become breeding individuals in the near future.
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