The much-anticipated gorilla and chimpanzee census in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park officially commenced on Tuesday, May 6, in the Ruhija sector, marking a crucial step in tracking the health and numbers of endangered primates in Uganda. While technical teams had already been deployed two weeks prior, the formal launch attracted considerable attention from conservationists, scientists, and wildlife authorities across the region. Coordinated by the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (GVTC) and the International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP), the census brings together a coalition of local and international conservation organisations, along with officials from Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)—the three countries that share the mountain gorilla habitat.
Dr. Andrew Seguya, the executive director of GVTC, emphasized that although mountain gorillas freely roam across borders, this year’s census would begin on the Ugandan side of the ecosystem. He noted that Rwanda and DRC would commence their respective censuses around March next year. While he offered no explanation for the delay, a source familiar with the matter cited ongoing insecurity in parts of the DRC as a likely reason for the staggered timeline.
This transboundary census comes nearly seven years after the last gorilla count in 2018, which recorded 459 individuals in Bwindi alone. The planned 2023 follow-up was postponed due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Under ideal conditions, a gorilla census is conducted every five years, offering a consistent benchmark for monitoring population trends and shaping conservation strategies. Dr. James Musinguzi, executive director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), underscored the importance of this work, highlighting how data from the census informs tailored conservation strategies for protecting not just the mountain gorillas but their entire ecosystem.
According to Musinguzi, the census will extend beyond gorillas to include other mammal species within Bwindi National Park. The survey teams will also document signs of illegal activities, such as poaching and encroachment, and identify unauthorised entry points into the forest. The initial phase of the census is expected to run until July before resuming again in September, ultimately extending into the Sarambwe Wildlife Reserve on the DRC side of the border. Although past surveys reported fewer gorillas in Sarambwe, it remains a critical part of the broader ecosystem.
In addition to Bwindi, Uganda’s other gorilla stronghold is Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, located in the country’s southwest. Despite being the smallest national park in Uganda, Mgahinga plays a significant role in gorilla conservation as part of the greater Virunga range, which includes Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in the DRC. However, census activities in these latter parks have been delayed due to the aforementioned challenges.
The IGCP estimates that the combined results from the 2018 Bwindi-Sarambwe census and earlier counts in the Virungas placed the total global population of mountain gorillas at 1,063. Within Uganda, Mgahinga is currently home to one known gorilla family comprising nine members. These numbers, while still low, represent a hopeful trend compared to the 1997 figures, when only 300 gorillas were recorded in the region.
Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, Uganda’s pioneering wildlife veterinarian and founder of Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH), shared her personal reflections on the long journey of gorilla conservation. When she first participated in a census in 1997, she said, the low numbers were alarming. But thanks to increased veterinary care, community involvement, and policies like revenue sharing—which allocates 20% of park entry fees and 10% of gorilla permit fees to local communities—the population has been on a slow but steady rise.
Kalema explained that the census process involves teams of about five people moving through the forest to identify gorilla nests, which are typically made each night. By studying these nests, alongside clues like dung size and location, researchers can determine group sizes and individual ages. To ensure accuracy, teams often track back to find previous nights’ nests to confirm group consistency and avoid counting the same individuals more than once. Each observation is carefully logged with GPS coordinates. Because infant gorillas tend to sleep with their mothers, their presence is typically inferred from dung analysis rather than separate nests.
Modern census techniques also include genetic sampling, offering deeper insight into gorilla family relationships and overall population health. These genetic analyses, though time-consuming, are helping conservationists paint a more accurate picture of how the population is faring over time. In tandem with the census, Kalema’s organisation is also conducting comparative health assessments between habituated and wild gorilla groups, contributing another layer of data to the conservation effort.
Although the primary focus remains on gorillas, chimpanzees are also being counted during the current exercise. The chimpanzee census is being led by the Jane Goodall Institute and is being carried out using different methodologies suited to chimpanzee tracking. Census teams will be living in the forest for extended periods, meticulously documenting their findings.
Situated in the southwestern corner of Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of Africa’s most ecologically diverse regions. Its rugged terrain of steep ridges and deep valleys marks the edge of the Albertine Rift Valley. The park stretches across more than 32,000 hectares and is home to over half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population. Beyond gorillas, the park boasts over 160 tree species, 120 mammals, 357 bird species, and an array of butterflies, reptiles, and amphibians. Due to its exceptional biodiversity and ecological importance, Bwindi was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Gorillas, with their structured family dynamics led by dominant silverbacks, are among the most intelligent and social primates. Weighing over 200 kilograms and living up to 50 years, they share many reproductive traits with humans, including an eight-month gestation period and natural child-spacing of over four years. According to Dr. Kalema, female gorillas typically raise only six infants in a lifetime, nursing each one for up to three years—a natural form of family planning embedded in their biology.
Gorilla tracking remains one of Uganda’s flagship tourism offerings. According to Bashir Hangi, UWA’s public relations officer, the activity drew 43,364 visitors in 2024, up from 41,412 in 2023. Permit sales have also surpassed pre-pandemic levels, with 41,468 permits sold in 2024 compared to 39,627 in 2019. The growth reflects increasing global interest in Uganda’s conservation success story and the invaluable role that these gentle giants play in both the country’s biodiversity and its economy.
As the 2024 census unfolds, the hope is that it will provide not only updated population figures but also new insights into the health and behaviour of mountain gorillas and their forest companions. The census serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between conservation, tourism, and community development—and the urgent need to safeguard these endangered species for generations to come.