Conservationists begin landmark census of Bwindi's great apes

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Conservationists have launched a landmark census of mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, marking a major step in efforts to protect the endangered great apes.

In collaboration with several partners, the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (GVTC) will carry out a comprehensive count of the mountain gorillas. This will provide a robust estimate of their population and contribute significantly to their conservation.

The launch took place on Tuesday, May 6, at the International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP) offices in the Ruhija Tourism Area, located in the eastern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. According to Wellard Makambo, IGCP director, the census will update the current population figures and provide insights into the demographics, locations, and behaviours of the mountain gorillas.

UWA Executive Director, Dr James Musinguzi, leading the launch of Gorilla Chimpanzee census in Bwindi. (Photo by Job Namanya)

"It is always an honour for IGCP to spearhead the mountain gorilla census process. Working closely with the mountain gorilla range countries and other partners, we look forward to delivering a comprehensive Bwindi census that will contribute to the conservation of mountain gorillas," Makambo said.

The 2025 Bwindi-Sarambwe population survey will be conducted collaboratively by scientists and national park authorities under the transboundary framework of the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration. This initiative unites conservation organisations, government agencies, and local communities to protect mountain gorillas and their habitat.

Teams from participating institutions will systematically traverse Bwindi on foot, looking for signs of mountain gorillas, recording nest sites, and collecting faecal samples for genetic analysis.



The census is significant not only for the mountain gorilla population but also for the broader ecosystem.

While officiating the launch, Dr James Musinguzi, executive director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), noted that the census would offer valuable data on other large mammals in the ecosystem.

"The census is a true testament to the strength of collaboration, which has been at the heart of efforts to save the endangered mountain gorillas," Musinguzi said.

In addition to counting mountain gorillas, the census will include the first-ever count of chimpanzees in the Bwindi-Sarambwe landscape.

James Byamukama, executive director of the Jane Goodall Institute Uganda, emphasised the importance of this development.

"The count of chimpanzees is going to be the first ever to determine the population of chimpanzees in this ecosystem, changing the conservation story and branding of Bwindi-Sarambwe as the only landscape with two endangered great apes of mountain gorillas and chimpanzees co-existing with another great ape, the human being," said Byamukama.

The census is expected to take several months, with the results anticipated in 2026.

Nelson Guma, chief park warden for the Bwindi-Mgahinga Conservation Area, said the census would inform strategies for sustainable gorilla conservation and evaluate the effectiveness of ongoing efforts.

"This census means a lot for Bwindi and for Uganda at large. It is an important exercise that measures our success in conserving the endangered mountain gorilla as a flagship species for our protected areas," Guma said.

Irene Murerwa, chief tourism officer at the Rwanda Development Board, praised the regional collaboration among conservationists and expressed optimism that continued teamwork would lead to further development.

The census is funded by contributions from several partners, including the International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP), WWF, the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration, and Partners in Conservation.

Other institutions supporting and participating in the census include the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, the Institute of Tropical Forest Conservation, Gorilla Doctors/Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project, Conservation Through Public Health, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Trust, and Primate Expertise.