The 2011 Bwindi Gorilla Census results are out and the news is good! Since the last census taking in 2006, the population of gorillas in Bwindi has increased by nearly 100 individuals from 302 to 400! Thanks to this increase, the total population of mountain gorillas in the world now stands at 880. In this new census, teams moved through Bwindi systematically in two sweeps, instead of just one like in past surveys. As a result, this census gives a far clearer picture of the actual population health of the gorillas in the area.
“This method gives us the clearest picture of the status of mountain gorillas in Bwindi that we have yet had,” adds Maryke Gray, Technical Advisor to the International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP; a coalition of the African Wildlife Foundation, Fauna & Flora International, and WWF). “Even with evolving census methods, this result indicates that this population has indeed increased over the last five years, and that is very encouraging for this critically endangered species.”
Within the 400 mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, there are 36 distinct social groups and 16 solitary males. Of those, ten of these social groups have been habituated to humans for either tourism or research for a total of 168 mountain gorillas or 42% of the Bwindi population.
Read more about this great news regarding mountain gorillas in Uganda!
With this news, now is a great time to market your Uganda safaris and Classic Africa Safaris is offering last minute availability on two departures of our 8-day Uganda safari, January 11 – 18, 2013 and February 22 – March 1, 2013. Rates are from $2,005 net per person for 6 travelers to $2,955 net per person for 2 travelers (plus gorilla and chimp permits). Read more about the full 8-day Uganda safari itinerary.
The Kusini Collection is looking forward to our next gorilla trekking adventure in May 2013. If you are interested in joining our Uganda/Rwanda exploratory trip post-INDABA please contact us for details!
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