Bwindi – The International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP), in partnership with the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (GVTC), Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), and other regional partners, officially launched the sixth mountain gorilla census and the first-ever chimpanzee census in the Bwindi-Sarambwe ecosystem on Tuesday, May 8, 2025.
The scientific exercise, expected to span over six months, aims to provide a comprehensive update on the mountain gorilla population in the area, while also gathering vital data on chimpanzees. The last census in 2018 counted 459 mountain gorillas in 36 social groups and 16 solitary individuals.
Jean Paul Hirwa, Deputy Director of IGCP, revealed that six survey teams from 11 institutions have already begun traversing the forest, searching for nests, collecting fecal samples for genetic analysis, and recording signs of gorilla presence.
“Unlike previous censuses where samples were sent abroad, genetic analyses for this census will be conducted within the region, enhancing local capacity in terms of equipment and personnel,” Hirwa said.
When combined with the 2015 census in the Virunga Massif, the 2018 Bwindi-Sarambwe count brought the global population of mountain gorillas to 1,063.
Uganda currently hosts half of the world’s mountain gorillas, and conservationists are hopeful that numbers have continued to grow.
At the official launch held in Bwindi’s Ruhija sector, IGCP Director Wellard Makambo emphasized the importance of the data being collected.
“This census will provide crucial information on the age and sex structure of the population and the distribution of gorilla groups. These insights will significantly contribute to mountain gorilla conservation,” Makambo said.
Irène Murerwa, Chairperson of the GVTC and Chief Tourism Officer of the Rwanda Development Board, underscored the collaborative and non-political nature of the effort.
“The census is a scientific endeavor devoid of political motives. We must remain united in our efforts to protect this shared heritage,” she noted.
Dr James Musinguzi, Executive Director of UWA, spoke on the centrality of data in conservation planning and evaluation.
“You cannot manage what you don’t know. It is important to understand what we are managing,” he said.
“This survey allows us to evaluate our conservation efforts and determine their effectiveness.
The numbers will indicate whether our interventions are successful.”
He added that the census presents an opportunity to improve techniques and collaboration across institutions:
“This will also help us identify areas requiring more effort and improve our planning. The outcomes will significantly inform our decision-making, enabling us to base decisions on empirical data. This is critical, and we are very excited.
The census is set to continue through the rest of 2025, with final results expected in 2026.
Nelson Guma, Chief Warden, Bwindi-Mgahinga Conservation Area, described the effort as a key indicator of conservation success.
“It will also inform us about the integrity of the protected areas as critical habitats for the survival of endangered mountain gorillas,” Guma explained.
In a notable first, the census will also include a dedicated survey of chimpanzees in the Bwindi-Sarambwe region.
Dr James Byamukama, Executive Director of the Jane Goodall Institute, said the chimpanzee count will evaluate habitat conditions and threats facing the species.
“This census aims to assess habitat conditions and identify key threats to chimpanzees,” he said, stressing the importance of expanding conservation to other primates within the ecosystem.