The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), in partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute, has officially unveiled the results of the 2025 Chimpanzee Census in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, estimating a total population of 426 chimpanzees in the park.
The inaugural census, conducted in two sweeps between May and September 2025, marks a significant milestone in Uganda’s conservation efforts and provides the most comprehensive data yet on the status of chimpanzees in Bwindi.
Speaking on the findings, UWA Executive Director Dr. James Musinguzi said the census provides robust evidence on the presence, distribution, and conservation status of chimpanzees in the park. He noted that the data will play a critical role in guiding evidence-based park management, policy decisions, and long-term conservation strategies.
According to UWA, the results highlight the strategic importance of Bwindi as a key habitat for chimpanzees and underscore the need for sustained protection measures. The findings also emphasize the value of intact forest sections in supporting viable chimpanzee populations.
The Authority stressed the importance of continued collaboration with surrounding communities to safeguard the park’s biodiversity, noting that conservation success depends not only on enforcement but also on community engagement and shared responsibility.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, globally renowned for its mountain gorillas, is also an important ecosystem for other primates, including chimpanzees. The 2025 census is expected to strengthen monitoring frameworks and attract further conservation partnerships aimed at protecting Uganda’s rich natural heritage.
