Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Census of 2025 Confirms 426 Chimpanzee Population
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Census of 2025 Confirms 426 Chimpanzee Population, the 2025 chimpanzee census in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has officially confirmed the presence of an estimated 426 chimpanzees living across the park. This landmark finding represents a major step forward in science-based conservation and strengthens Uganda’s commitment to protecting great apes within one of Africa’s most important and biologically rich protected areas.
The census results were officially launched at the headquarters of the Uganda Wildlife Authority in Kampala by the Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Martin Mugarra Bahinduka. The launch marked the first time that chimpanzees in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park have been counted using a dedicated, systematic, and scientifically rigorous census.
Strengthening Conservation Through Science
While addressing conservation partners, researchers, and government officials, Hon. Bahinduka emphasized the growing importance of using reliable scientific data to guide wildlife management. He explained that confirming a healthy and well-distributed chimpanzee population reinforces Bwindi’s role as a critical habitat for great apes. According to the Minister, evidence-based conservation is especially important at a time when protected areas face increasing pressure from climate change, land use demands, and human population growth.
He further noted that solid scientific findings help government agencies and conservation partners make better decisions, improve protection strategies, and ensure that Uganda’s natural heritage is preserved for future generations.
Bwindi’s Global Importance for Great Apes
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is internationally recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, best known for protecting nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. For decades, the park has been a global symbol of successful gorilla conservation and sustainable tourism.
However, until now, chimpanzees had not been fully integrated into Bwindi’s conservation planning due to limited population data. The 2025 census changes this reality by providing the first clear and reliable evidence that chimpanzees are not only present, but also widely distributed throughout the park. This new understanding formally places chimpanzees alongside mountain gorillas as a key focus of Bwindi’s long-term conservation strategy.
How the Census Was Conducted
The chimpanzee census was carried out between May and June 2025 and was led by the Jane Goodall Institute Uganda in close partnership with the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration. The exercise was conducted at the same time as Bwindi’s sixth mountain gorilla census, allowing for coordinated and cost-effective data collection.
Researchers used internationally recognized scientific methods known as line-transect surveys, including Standing Crop Nest Counts and Marked Nest Counts. These methods involve carefully recording chimpanzee nesting sites to estimate population size, density, and distribution.
In total, survey teams covered 320.9 square kilometres, reaching all four sectors of the park: Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Rushaga. This wide coverage ensured that the results accurately reflect chimpanzee presence across the entire protected area.
Key Findings of the Census
The census results revealed that chimpanzees are widely spread across Bwindi, living in a variety of habitats. These range from mixed Afromontane forests at lower elevations to dense montane forests in higher areas. This discovery challenges earlier assumptions that chimpanzees were rare in Bwindi or restricted to a few isolated locations.
Using conservative scientific models, researchers estimated an average density of 1.33 chimpanzees per square kilometer. This finding confirms that Bwindi supports a healthy and stable chimpanzee population that has successfully adapted to the park’s rugged terrain and forest conditions.
Importantly, the survey recorded very low levels of human disturbance, showing that the park’s habitats remain largely intact and well protected. This reflects the effectiveness of long-term law enforcement, community engagement, and conservation management efforts.
Benefits for Wider Ecosystem Management
In addition to chimpanzee data, the census also recorded sightings and signs of other large mammals, including mountain gorillas and forest elephants. Researchers documented additional primate species, forest structure, and vegetation types. This information provides valuable context for integrated, multi-species conservation planning, allowing managers to understand how different species share and use the same environment.
Such integrated data is essential for managing Bwindi as a complete ecosystem rather than focusing on single species alone.
Supporting Evidence-Based Decision Making
Commenting on the findings, Dr. James Musinguzi, Executive Director of Uganda Wildlife Authority, described the census as a major breakthrough. He noted that, for the first time, park managers now have strong scientific evidence confirming a significant and well-distributed chimpanzee population within Bwindi.
According to Dr. Musinguzi, this information will improve planning, protection, and monitoring of chimpanzees while ensuring that they receive conservation attention equal to that given to other great apes. He emphasized that evidence-based management strengthens accountability and improves long-term conservation outcomes.
Closing Long-Standing Knowledge Gaps
The Executive Director of Jane Goodall Institute Uganda, Mr. James Byamukama, explained that the census fills critical gaps in understanding Bwindi’s chimpanzee population. For many years, the lack of reliable data made it difficult to fully include chimpanzees in national and regional conservation planning.
He stated that the findings clearly show chimpanzees are an essential part of Bwindi’s ecosystem, not a marginal species. The new population baseline will guide future research, improve protected area management, and support broader biodiversity strategies across Uganda and the region.
Supporting Uganda’s National Conservation Strategy
The Bwindi chimpanzee census directly supports the implementation of Uganda’s National Chimpanzee Conservation Strategy (2023/24–2032/33). By providing site-specific, scientifically sound population data, the census strengthens monitoring of chimpanzee numbers and habitat health over time.
The findings will help guide targeted law enforcement, prioritize conservation investments, and align national efforts with key chimpanzee landscapes. They also support Uganda’s international commitments to biodiversity conservation and sustainable environmental management.
A Strong Future for Chimpanzee Conservation in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Overall, the 2025 Bwindi Chimpanzee Census represents a major milestone in conservation science and protected area management. It confirms that Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is not only a global stronghold for mountain gorillas but also a vital refuge for chimpanzees.
With solid scientific evidence now in place, conservation partners are better equipped to protect chimpanzees, manage habitats responsibly, and ensure that Bwindi remains one of Africa’s most important strongholds for great apes well into the future.