In a milestone for wildlife conservation, Uganda has confirmed that 426 chimpanzees inhabit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its mountain gorillas.
This represents the first scientifically robust, systematic population estimate of chimpanzees in the park, providing critical insight into the forest’s biodiversity and reshaping the way conservationists and tourists alike view Uganda’s great apes.
The results were unveiled on February 24, 2026, by officials from the Uganda Wildlife Authority in collaboration with the Jane Goodall Institute Uganda and regional conservation partners. The census marks a turning point in efforts to understand and protect one of Africa’s most iconic ecosystems.
Scientific Survey Reveals Hidden Populations
Conducted alongside Bwindi’s sixth mountain gorilla census, the chimpanzee survey employed internationally recognized methods, including line-transect surveys and night nest counts. Since chimpanzees are elusive and rarely observed directly, researchers counted the nests they build each night a reliable method to estimate population size and distribution.
By combining nest counts with decay rates and field observations, the team produced accurate population estimates across all four sectors of the park: Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Rushaga.
The survey revealed an average density of about 1.33 chimpanzees per square kilometre, demonstrating that chimpanzees are widespread throughout Bwindi. They occupy a diverse range of habitats, from dense lowland forests to higher-elevation montane areas, sometimes even sharing territories with mountain gorillas.
A New Chapter for Conservation
Bwindi has long been recognized primarily for its mountain gorillas. This census now officially acknowledges chimpanzees as a significant and well-established component of the park’s ecosystem. Conservationists describe this as a major step toward evidence-based management, allowing authorities to develop targeted strategies to protect chimpanzees and their habitat.
According to Uganda Wildlife Authority officials, the census provides a strong scientific foundation for conservation planning, enabling park managers to allocate resources more effectively, prioritize anti-poaching efforts, and integrate chimpanzee protection into broader biodiversity initiatives. The Jane Goodall Institute emphasized that prior knowledge of chimpanzee presence in Bwindi was largely anecdotal, and this systematic survey fills a decades-long knowledge gap.
Implications for Tourism and Research
The confirmed presence of a substantial chimpanzee population opens new opportunities for ecotourism. While Bwindi has been synonymous with gorilla trekking, there is now potential to develop regulated chimpanzee-watching experiences in areas of the park where chimpanzee activity is concentrated, particularly in the northern sector. Experts caution, however, that tourism expansion must be carefully managed to avoid disturbing the primates or their fragile habitat.
Beyond tourism, the census highlights Bwindi as a complex great ape ecosystem, supporting multiple primate species and other wildlife, including forest elephants. This makes the park a unique site for ecological research, offering insights into interspecies interactions, habitat use, and the effects of environmental change.
Looking Ahead
Conservationists recommend repeating chimpanzee censuses every five to seven years to track population trends and inform management strategies. The 2025 census will serve as a baseline for future assessments, helping ensure that conservation interventions remain adaptive and effective.
The census not only strengthens Uganda’s position as a global leader in great ape conservation but also underscores the importance of combining scientific research with sustainable tourism and community engagement. With this newfound understanding of chimpanzee populations, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is set to gain recognition not just as a gorilla sanctuary, but as one of Africa’s most important great ape habitats, rich in biodiversity and ecological significance.
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