Chimp News from Uganda’s Ngamba Island

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Health Checks at Ngamba Island

Over the last couple of months, the chimpanzees on Ngamba Island have been undergoing their annual health examinations. This involves a general examination to assess their health state. The chimpanzees are always aware of this exercise and not many like it. Every year the veterinary team needs to find new and innovative ways to coax and cajole the chimpanzees to undergo this. Just like humans, they don’t really like to go to the doctor’s!

The Chimpanzee Trust uses this opportunity to partner with veterinary volunteers or health professionals to share knowledge and experiences. The team was this year assisted by wildlife veterinarian from Brazil, Dr. Thalita Calvi, currently working at the Chimfunshi sanctuary in Zambia. We were blessed to have her join the team.

To date nearly all the chimpanzees have been examined and pronounced healthy. The most common health issue at this year’s examination was dental problems with most of the juvenile chimpanzees and the adult females. A number of extractions were necessary and other treatments prescribed for minor health problems.

On August 8 2015, Chimpanzee Trust hosted its first ever children’s festival in Hoima district. The theme was "Children for Conservation". The event, held at Hoima Cultural Lodge, was headlined by Uganda’s kickboxing champion and a children’s icon, Mr. Golola Moses.

Over 3,000 children and adults attended the event and undertook fun activities aimed at promoting the understanding of chimpanzees and environmental conservation. Activities included face painting, assorted games, donkey and camel rides, mobile ‘zoo’ (managed by UWEC) and the highlight was dancing competitions dotted with entertainment from select local artistes.

As an organization, we are proud of the children who showed up and the great partnerships we have with Uganda Wildlife Education Center (UWEC), Pepsi-Cola brand, Silas Ltd and Rwenzori mineral water brand .

In other news, our Education Officer, Silver Birungi, joined the Peace Corp Uganda team in a youth camp to empower youth in biodiversity conservation as well as sharing the Chimpanzee Trust’s environment management systems.

‘Together we will reverse the trend of destruction on our environment upon which many other things are dependent on for survival and comfort.‘ Lilly Ajarova, Chimpanzee Trust’s Executive Director, commented

The Commissioner of Tourism, Mr. Akankwasa Barirega, who represented the Minister of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities, launched the community based tourism Guide on 8th August at the Hoima cultural lodge.

The guide book, developed through a partnership between the Chimpanzee Trust and the Community Based Tourism Initiative (COBATI), is a simple guide for the development of community tourism as an income generating activity in a community/village using culture, environment and traditional ways of life.

This book contains success stories of individuals and communities who have participated in and benefited from community tourism and are now being sourced both nationally and internationally to share their knowledge, have hosted local and international visitors and are selling their products on international markets.

#Tourismuganda