Difference between revisions of "Mgahinga Gorilla National Park"

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<!-- INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING SITE INFORMATION
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    rather than several keywords such as "Industrial mining", "Large-scale mining", and "Mining".  
 
 
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[[East Africa]] > [[Uganda]] > [[Mgahinga Gorilla National Park]]
  
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[[Region]] > [[Country]] > [[Site]]
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= Summary = <!-- An overview of the site, with one sentence for each section. May include a site map -->
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<div style="float: right">
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= Summary = <!-- An overview of the site, with a one sentence overview of each of the following sections. can include a site map -->
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{{#display_map: height=200px | width=300px | scrollzoom=off | zoom=5 | layers= OpenStreetMap, OpenTopoMap
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| -1.370292, 29.632708~[[Mgahinga Gorilla National Park]]~Mountain Gorillas
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* Ape taxa present  
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}}
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* Ape population size
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</div>
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* Ape population trend  
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* Mountain gorillas (''Gorilla beringei beringei'') are present in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
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* This site has a total size of XX km².
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* The population size in the park is unknown; however, the site is part of the larger Virunga Massif, where a population size of 669 (CI: 623–759) individuals was estimated for 2016.
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* Key threats to apes are ...
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* The population trend is increasing.
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* Additional information
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* The site has a total size of 33.7 km².
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* Key threats to gorillas are hunting and habitat encroachment due to farming activities.
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* Conservation activities have focused on eco-tourism, demarcation and reinforcement of the park’s boundaries, education activities and patrols.
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= Site characteristics =
 
  
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= Site characteristics = <!-- A paragraph summary of physical and geographic aspects of the site, and a table of key information -->
  
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This section includes a paragraph summary of physical and geographic aspects of the site, a brief history of the site and on animals and plants that are known to occur at the site.
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Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in the southwestern corner of Uganda, bordering Rwanda to the south and DRC to the west. The park derives its name from "Gahinga," a local term referring to the volcanic stones cleared from farmland at the base of the volcanoes. Originally declared a game sanctuary by the British administration in 1930, it was officially designated as a National Park in 1991 ([https://ugandawildlife.org/national-parks/mgahinga-gorilla-national-park/ Uganda Wildlife Authority]).
  
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The park is home to a single habituated transboundary gorilla group. Situated at altitudes ranging from 2,227m to 4,127m, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park was established primarily to safeguard the mountain gorillas. It also serves as a critical habitat for the endangered golden monkey. In addition to its wildlife significance, the park holds immense cultural importance, particularly for the indigenous Batwa people ([https://ugandawildlife.org/national-parks/mgahinga-gorilla-national-park/ Uganda Wildlife Authority]).
  
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Mgahinga's most prominent features are its three conical, extinct volcanoes, a part of the breathtaking Virunga Range. As part of the larger Virunga Conservation Area, encompassing neighboring parks in these countries, the slopes of these volcanoes host diverse ecosystems and a rich array of biodiversity. Over 76 mammal species, including elephants, giant forest hogs, bush pigs, bushbucks, buffalos, and leopards are found in the site. The park also boasts a bird checklist of over 180 species, including 14 endemic to the Albertine Rift, notably the Kivu ground thrush and turaco ([https://ugandawildlife.org/national-parks/mgahinga-gorilla-national-park/ Uganda Wildlife Authority]).
  
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'''Table 1: Basic site information for XXXX'''
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'''Table 1. Basic site information for Mgahinga Gorilla National Park'''
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="basic-information"
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="basic-information"
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| Area             <!-- Please include units: km2/ha e.g 200ha   -->
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| Area <!-- Please include units: km2/ha e.g 200ha -->
−
|
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|33.7 km²
 
|-
 
|-
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| Coordinates
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|Coordinates
−
|
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| -1.370292, 29.632708
 
|-
 
|-
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| Designation     <!-- National Park, Nature Reserve, etc.  -->
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|Designation
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|
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|National Park
 
|-
 
|-
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|Habitat types   <!-- List IUCN Habitat Classification 3.0 categories present (Without number), see link below -->
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|Habitat types <!-- List IUCN Habitat Classification 3.0 categories present (without number), see link below -->
−
|
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|Subtropical/tropical moist montane forest
 
|}
 
|}
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[http://www.unitar.org/hiroshima/sites/unitar.org.hiroshima/files/Annex%201%20-%20IUCN%20Classification%20Schemes.pdf IUCN habitat categories]   [[Site designations]]
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[https://www.iucnredlist.org/resources/habitat-classification-scheme IUCN habitat categories] [[Site designations]]
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<br>
 
  
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= Ape status = <!--An overview of ape population status (population sizes, trends, etc.), followed by a table of specific surveys and results -->
  
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The exact number of individuals inhabiting the site is unknown. The park is part of the larger Virunga Massif, where the total population was estimated to be 669 (CI: 623–759) individuals in 2016. It was also estimated that the growth of the entire Virunga Massif population was 3.0% (CI: 2.5–3.4%) or 3.1% (1.4–4.3%) per year between 2010 and 2016 (Granjon et al. 2020).
  
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= Ape status =  <!-- a text overview of ape status (population sizes, trends etc), followed by a table of specific surveys and results -->
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'''Table 2. Ape population estimates in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park'''
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−
 
 
−
 
 
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This section includes a brief summary of the survey history, the most recent abundance estimate, date of the estimate, and, if available, the population trend (if explicitely stated in a report/paper).
 
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'''Table 2: Ape population estimates in XXXX'''
 
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="population-estimate-table"
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="population-estimate-table"
 
! Species
 
! Species
 
! Year
 
! Year
−
! Abundance estimate (95% confidence interval)
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! Abundance estimate (95% CI)
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! Density estimate (per km²)
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! Density estimate [ind./ km²] (95% CI)
 
! Encounter rate (nests/km)
 
! Encounter rate (nests/km)
 
! Area
 
! Area
Line 72: Line 63:
 
! A.P.E.S. database ID
 
! A.P.E.S. database ID
 
|-
 
|-
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|''Gorilla beringei beringei''
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
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|
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|Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
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|
 
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
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= Threats =    <!-- a text overview of threats, followed by a table of key threats -->
 
= Threats =    <!-- a text overview of threats, followed by a table of key threats -->
  
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Before the establishment of the protected area, several human activities were impacting wildlife inhabiting the site, particularly livestock grazing, farming and hunting. In the course of 1992, all settlers left the deforested zone of the national park and most of these activities stopped. 221 farms were moved and the settlers received compensation payments (Karlowski 2004).
  
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This sections describes threats at the site, particularly those relevant for apes and thereby provides context for the threats listed in the table below.
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'''Table 3. Threats to apes in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park'''
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'''Table 3: Threats to apes in XXXX'''
 
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="threats-table"
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="threats-table"
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!align="left"|Category <!-- Do not change threat categories -->
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!align="left"|Category <!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THE THREAT CATEGORIES -->
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!Specific threats   <!-- For specific threats, please use list of comma separated keywords from the list linked below -->
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!Specific threats <!-- For specific threats, please use list of comma separated keywords from the IUCN list linked below -->
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!Threat level       <!-- For threat level, please use keywords: unknown, low, high -->
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!Threat level <!-- For threat level, please use keywords: low, medium, high, present, absent, unknown-->
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!Quantified severity <!-- e.g., encounter rate, number of miners etc. (with reference)-->
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!Quantified severity <!-- Enter any available quantification of the threat, e.g., the proportion of the area affected by the threat, hunting sign encounter rates-->
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!Description         <!-- You can add descriptive information here -->
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!Description <!-- Add descriptive information -->
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!Year of threat     <!-- if ongoing or unknown add year of reference in brackets-->
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!Year of threat <!-- Enter specific year(s), “ongoing”, or “unknown”. If the threat is ongoing, please add the year of reference in parentheses -->
 
|-
 
|-
 
|1. Residential & commercial development
 
|1. Residential & commercial development
 +
|1.1 Housing & urban areas
 +
|High
 
|
 
|
−
|
+
|Until 1992, people lived in what is now the protected area, where they farmed, logged and hunted (Karlowski 2004)
−
|
+
|1992
−
|
 
−
|
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|2. Agriculture & aquaculture
 
|2. Agriculture & aquaculture
 +
|2.1 Annual & perennial non-timber crops
 +
|High
 
|
 
|
 +
|In 1992, the wheat fields inside the national park were harvested for the last time. After a year, the gorillas had extended their habitat to include about 80% of that area (Karlowski 2004).
 +
|1992
 +
|-
 
|
 
|
 +
|2.3 Livestock farming & ranching
 +
|High
 
|
 
|
−
|
+
|Livestock grazing in the site; settlers moved out along with 221 farms in 1992 (Karlowski 2004).
−
|
+
|1989-1992
 
|-
 
|-
 
|3. Energy production & mining
 
|3. Energy production & mining
 
|
 
|
−
|
+
|Unknown
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 122: Line 118:
 
|4. Transportation & service corridors
 
|4. Transportation & service corridors
 
|
 
|
 +
|Unknown
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 +
|-
 +
|5. Biological resource use
 +
|5.3 Logging & wood harvesting
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|Present (severity unknown)
 
|
 
|
 +
|Habitat loss due to firewood and bamboo harvesting (Twinomugisha & Chapman 2006).
 +
|2006-Ongoing
 
|-
 
|-
 
|5. Biological resource use
 
|5. Biological resource use
 +
|5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals
 +
|High
 
|
 
|
−
|
+
|Before conservation activities started, there was poaching in the area and hundreds of wire snares on paths to catch antelopes (Karlowski 2004).
−
|
+
|1990
−
|
 
−
|
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|6. Human intrusions & disturbance
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|6. Human intrusion & disturbance
−
|
+
|6.2 War, civil unrest & military exercises
−
|
+
|Present (severity unknown)
−
|
 
−
|
 
 
|
 
|
 +
|During the civil war parts of Mgahinga National Park sometimes served as retreat areas for paramilitary units. Parts of the afro-alpine vegetation on the peaks of Mt. Gahinga and Muhavura were destroyed during the civil war (Karlowski 2004).
 +
|1990-1994
 
|-
 
|-
 
|7. Natural system modifications
 
|7. Natural system modifications
 
|
 
|
−
|
+
|Unknown
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 149: Line 152:
 
|-
 
|-
 
|8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases
 
|8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases
 +
|8.5 Viral/prion-induced diseases
 +
|Present (severity unknown)
 
|
 
|
−
|
+
|Risk of acquiring Covid-19 due to presence in the surrounding human population (Kungu et al. 2023).
−
|
+
|2023-Ongoing
−
|
 
−
|
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|9. Pollution
 
|9. Pollution
 
|
 
|
−
|
+
|Unknown
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 164: Line 167:
 
|10. Geological Events
 
|10. Geological Events
 
|
 
|
−
|
+
|Absent
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
|11. Climate change & severe weather
+
| 11. Climate change & severe weather
−
|
 
 
|
 
|
 +
|Unknown
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 178: Line 181:
 
|12. Other options
 
|12. Other options
 
|
 
|
−
|
+
|Absent
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 186: Line 189:
 
[https://www.iucnredlist.org/resources/threat-classification-scheme IUCN Threats list]
 
[https://www.iucnredlist.org/resources/threat-classification-scheme IUCN Threats list]
  
 +
= Conservation activities =      <!-- A summary of the conservation activities, followed by a table of key activities -->
  
 +
In December 1989, a conservation initiative focusing on gorillas and nature was initiated in the site. Biologist Klaus-Jürgen Sucker spearheaded the development of this project, receiving support from organizations such as the German Society for the Protection of Animals (Deutscher Tierschutzbund), the Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe, and subsequently, from the Center for International Migration (CIM) (Karlowski 2004).
  
−
= Conservation activities =      <!-- a text overview of conservation activities, followed by a table of key activities -->
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Mgahinga Gorilla National Park was gazetted in 1991; the park’s infrastructure was established in 1993. This included relocating the guard post to the park's new boundary and demarcating the northern boundary with 180 cement cairns spread across 14 kilometers. While these cairns clearly defined the boundary, they left adjacent fields vulnerable to grazing by wildlife. To address this issue, a hedge of Erythrina abyssinica was planted along the park's boundary (Karlowski 2004).
−
 
 
  
−
This sections describes conservation interventions implemented at the site, including information on which organizations are implementing them and thereby provides context for the conservation activities listed in the table below.
+
More recently, approximately 38,100 Erythrina trees were planted along the stone wall in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, spanning a distance of 12.7 kilometers from the Rwanda border to points along the border with DRC. This effort, led by IGCP’s Water4Virungas project in partnership with local communities and the Uganda Wildlife Authority, aimed to mitigate conflicts caused by problem animals such as buffalos. The project sought to enhance park-community relations while reducing crop raids (Nakayima 2021).
  
 +
Eco-tourism was inaugurated in August 1993, initially offering activities such as mountain trekking, cave exploration, and hiking along nature trails. The range of tourist activities expanded in 1994, with the introduction of visits to the Nyakagezi group, a gorilla population known for migrating between the Ugandan and Congolese sectors of the Virunga Conservation Area (Karlowski 2004).
  
 +
Even before official gorilla tourism commenced in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, a revenue-sharing system was established for communities residing near the park. Under this system, 20% of the income generated from park entrance fees was earmarked for community projects, such as the construction of schools or storage facilities. This approach has since become a fundamental aspect of Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) policies for all reserves across the country (Karlowski 2004).
  
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'''Table 4: Conservation activities in XXXX'''
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'''Table 4. Conservation activities in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park'''
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="conservation-actions-table"
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="conservation-actions-table"
−
!align="left"|Category <!-- Do not change threat categories -->
+
!align="left"|Category <!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THE CATEGORIES -->
−
!Specific activity   <!-- For specific threats, please use list of comma separated keywords from the list linked below -->
+
!Specific activity <!-- For specific threats, please use list from the list linked below, OR enter “Not reported” -->
−
!Description         <!-- You can add descriptive information here -->
+
!Description <!-- Add descriptive information -->
−
!Year of activity         <!-- if ongoing or unknown add year of reference in brackets -->
+
!Year of activity <!-- Add descriptive information -->
 
|-
 
|-
 
|1. Residential & commercial development
 
|1. Residential & commercial development
−
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|2. Agriculture & aquaculture
 
|2. Agriculture & aquaculture
−
|
+
|2.8. Prohibit (livestock) farmers from entering protected areas
−
|
+
|Several farms were moved out of the park after its establishment, allowing for the regeneration of vegetation (Karlowski 2004).
−
|
+
|1992-Ongoing
 
|-
 
|-
 
|3. Energy production & mining
 
|3. Energy production & mining
−
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|4. Transportation & service corridors
 
|4. Transportation & service corridors
−
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|5. Biological resource use
 
|5. Biological resource use
−
|
+
|5.6. Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols
−
|
+
|Rangers conduct patrols (Karlowski 2004).
−
|
+
|1989-Ongoing
 
|-
 
|-
−
|6. Human intrusions & disturbance
+
|6. Human intrusion & disturbance
−
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|7. Natural system modifications
 
|7. Natural system modifications
−
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases
 
|8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases
−
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|9. Pollution
 
|9. Pollution
−
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|10. Education & Awareness  
 
|10. Education & Awareness  
−
|
+
|10.5. Implement multimedia campaigns using theatre, film, print media, discussions
−
|
+
|Printing of a childrens' book about gorillas for schools around the park ([https://www.berggorilla.org/en/about-us/projects/#c1327 Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe]).
−
|
+
|2005
 
|-
 
|-
 
|11. Habitat Protection
 
|11. Habitat Protection
 +
|11.2. Legally protect primate habitat
 +
|The site is classified as a National Park.
 +
|1991-Ongoing
 +
|-
 
|
 
|
−
|
+
|11.6. Demarcate and enforce boundaries of protected areas
−
|
+
|Planting of Erythrina trees to enforce boundaries and reduce crop raiding by wildlife (Nakayima 2021, Karlowski 2004).
 +
|1993, 2021
 
|-
 
|-
 
|12. Species Management
 
|12. Species Management
−
|
+
|12.1. Habituate primates to human presence to reduce stress from tourists/researchers etc.
−
|
+
|Tourists can visit the Nyakagezi group (Karlowski 2004).
−
|
+
|1994-Ongoing
 
|-
 
|-
 
|13. Livelihood; Economic & Other Incentives  
 
|13. Livelihood; Economic & Other Incentives  
 +
|13.1. Provide monetary benefits to local communities for sustainably managing their forest and its wildlife (e.g. REDD, employment)
 +
|Recently, 40 community members participated in both the Erythrina planting and the renovation of the stone wall delineating part of the park’s border. Community members were paid for their participation (Nakayima 2021).
 +
|2021
 +
|-
 
|
 
|
−
|
+
|13.4. Run tourist projects and ensure permanent human presence at site
−
|
+
|Eco-tourism was introduced in 1993 (Karlowski 2004).
 +
|1993-Ongoing
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
 
[[Conservation activities list (Junker et al. 2017)]]
 
[[Conservation activities list (Junker et al. 2017)]]
  
 +
= Challenges = <!-- Overview of challenges in ape conservation -->
  
−
 
+
'''Table 5. Challenges reported for Mgahinga Gorilla National Park'''
−
= Impediments = <!-- Overview of impediments to ape conservation -->
+
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="challenges-table"
−
 
+
!align="left"|Challenge <!-- Do not change categories -->
−
 
+
!Source <!-- Source for challenge mentioned -->
−
Description of impediments that may hamper conservation activities.
 
−
 
 
−
 
 
−
'''Table 5: Impediments reported for XXXX'''
 
−
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="impediments-table"
 
−
!align="left"|Impediment  <!-- Do not change categories -->
 
−
!Source   <!-- source for impediment mentioned -->
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
−
 
−
 
  
 
= Research activities = <!-- Overview of research activities -->
 
= Research activities = <!-- Overview of research activities -->
−
 
−
 
−
Short description of past and ongoing research activities at the site.
 
−
 
  
 
===Documented behaviours===  <!-- List of any behaviours observed at the site, including citations -->
 
===Documented behaviours===  <!-- List of any behaviours observed at the site, including citations -->
  
−
'''Table 6: Ape behaviors reported for XXXX'''
+
'''Table 6. Ape behaviors reported for Mgahinga Gorilla National Park'''
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="behaviors-table"
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="behaviors-table"
−
!align="left"|Behavior <!-- Do not change categories -->
+
!align="left"|Behavior
−
!Source   <!-- source for behavior -->
+
!Source
 
|-
 
|-
−
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
 
+
=External links=
−
===Relevant datasets===
+
[https://www.mgahingagorillanationalpark.com/ Mgahinga Gorilla National Park]
−
[http://apesportal.eva.mpg.de/database/archiveMap A.P.E.S Portal]
 
−
 
 
−
<br>
 
−
 
 
  
 
= References =
 
= References =
−
 
+
Granjon, A. C., Robbins, M. M., Arinaitwe, J., Cranfield, M. R., Eckardt, W., Mburanumwe, I., ... & Hickey, J. R. (2020). Estimating abundance and growth rates in a wild mountain gorilla population. Animal Conservation, 23(4), 455-465. <br>
 +
Karlowski, U. (2004). Ten Years of Gorilla Tourism in Mgahinga. Gorilla Journal, 28, 6-8.<br>
 +
Kungu, J. M., Neumbe, J., Kiganira, D. B., Tino, P., Namayanja, J., Kassuja, R., ... & Nizeyi, J. B. (2023). Prevalence and predisposing factors of covid-19 in Bwindi-Mgahinga mountain gorilla conservation area landscape, Uganda.<br>
 +
Nakayima, L. (2021). Strengthened Human– Wildlife Conflict Measures Restore Hope in the Virungas. Gorilla Journal, 62, 11-12.<br>
 +
Twinomugisha, D. & Chapman, C.A. (2006) Notes and records. African Journal of Ecology, 2, 220–224. <br>
  
 
<br>
 
<br>
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'''Page completed by:'''XXXX '''   Date:''' DD/MM/YY  <br>
+
'''Page completed by: '''A.P.E.S. Wiki team''' Date:''' 28/02/2024 <!-- If you don't want to add your name, you can add "A.P.E.S. Wiki team" -->
−
 
 
−
<i>Please consider whether any information you would like to add is sensitive and could be misused to harm apes. Please do not add such information. If unsure, you can contact the Wiki manager (contact details on start page) for clarification.</i>
 
−
<br><br>
 

Latest revision as of 06:44, 2 April 2024

East Africa > Uganda > Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Summary

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  • Mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) are present in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
  • The population size in the park is unknown; however, the site is part of the larger Virunga Massif, where a population size of 669 (CI: 623–759) individuals was estimated for 2016.
  • The population trend is increasing.
  • The site has a total size of 33.7 km².
  • Key threats to gorillas are hunting and habitat encroachment due to farming activities.
  • Conservation activities have focused on eco-tourism, demarcation and reinforcement of the park’s boundaries, education activities and patrols.

Site characteristics

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in the southwestern corner of Uganda, bordering Rwanda to the south and DRC to the west. The park derives its name from "Gahinga," a local term referring to the volcanic stones cleared from farmland at the base of the volcanoes. Originally declared a game sanctuary by the British administration in 1930, it was officially designated as a National Park in 1991 (Uganda Wildlife Authority).

The park is home to a single habituated transboundary gorilla group. Situated at altitudes ranging from 2,227m to 4,127m, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park was established primarily to safeguard the mountain gorillas. It also serves as a critical habitat for the endangered golden monkey. In addition to its wildlife significance, the park holds immense cultural importance, particularly for the indigenous Batwa people (Uganda Wildlife Authority).

Mgahinga's most prominent features are its three conical, extinct volcanoes, a part of the breathtaking Virunga Range. As part of the larger Virunga Conservation Area, encompassing neighboring parks in these countries, the slopes of these volcanoes host diverse ecosystems and a rich array of biodiversity. Over 76 mammal species, including elephants, giant forest hogs, bush pigs, bushbucks, buffalos, and leopards are found in the site. The park also boasts a bird checklist of over 180 species, including 14 endemic to the Albertine Rift, notably the Kivu ground thrush and turaco (Uganda Wildlife Authority).

Table 1. Basic site information for Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Area 33.7 km²
Coordinates -1.370292, 29.632708
Designation National Park
Habitat types Subtropical/tropical moist montane forest

IUCN habitat categories Site designations

Ape status

The exact number of individuals inhabiting the site is unknown. The park is part of the larger Virunga Massif, where the total population was estimated to be 669 (CI: 623–759) individuals in 2016. It was also estimated that the growth of the entire Virunga Massif population was 3.0% (CI: 2.5–3.4%) or 3.1% (1.4–4.3%) per year between 2010 and 2016 (Granjon et al. 2020).

Table 2. Ape population estimates in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Species Year Abundance estimate (95% CI) Density estimate [ind./ km²] (95% CI) Encounter rate (nests/km) Area Method Source Comments A.P.E.S. database ID
Gorilla beringei beringei Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Threats

Before the establishment of the protected area, several human activities were impacting wildlife inhabiting the site, particularly livestock grazing, farming and hunting. In the course of 1992, all settlers left the deforested zone of the national park and most of these activities stopped. 221 farms were moved and the settlers received compensation payments (Karlowski 2004).

Table 3. Threats to apes in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Category Specific threats Threat level Quantified severity Description Year of threat
1. Residential & commercial development 1.1 Housing & urban areas High Until 1992, people lived in what is now the protected area, where they farmed, logged and hunted (Karlowski 2004) 1992
2. Agriculture & aquaculture 2.1 Annual & perennial non-timber crops High In 1992, the wheat fields inside the national park were harvested for the last time. After a year, the gorillas had extended their habitat to include about 80% of that area (Karlowski 2004). 1992
2.3 Livestock farming & ranching High Livestock grazing in the site; settlers moved out along with 221 farms in 1992 (Karlowski 2004). 1989-1992
3. Energy production & mining Unknown
4. Transportation & service corridors Unknown
5. Biological resource use 5.3 Logging & wood harvesting Present (severity unknown) Habitat loss due to firewood and bamboo harvesting (Twinomugisha & Chapman 2006). 2006-Ongoing
5. Biological resource use 5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals High Before conservation activities started, there was poaching in the area and hundreds of wire snares on paths to catch antelopes (Karlowski 2004). 1990
6. Human intrusion & disturbance 6.2 War, civil unrest & military exercises Present (severity unknown) During the civil war parts of Mgahinga National Park sometimes served as retreat areas for paramilitary units. Parts of the afro-alpine vegetation on the peaks of Mt. Gahinga and Muhavura were destroyed during the civil war (Karlowski 2004). 1990-1994
7. Natural system modifications Unknown
8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases 8.5 Viral/prion-induced diseases Present (severity unknown) Risk of acquiring Covid-19 due to presence in the surrounding human population (Kungu et al. 2023). 2023-Ongoing
9. Pollution Unknown
10. Geological Events Absent
11. Climate change & severe weather Unknown
12. Other options Absent

IUCN Threats list

Conservation activities

In December 1989, a conservation initiative focusing on gorillas and nature was initiated in the site. Biologist Klaus-Jürgen Sucker spearheaded the development of this project, receiving support from organizations such as the German Society for the Protection of Animals (Deutscher Tierschutzbund), the Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe, and subsequently, from the Center for International Migration (CIM) (Karlowski 2004).

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park was gazetted in 1991; the park’s infrastructure was established in 1993. This included relocating the guard post to the park's new boundary and demarcating the northern boundary with 180 cement cairns spread across 14 kilometers. While these cairns clearly defined the boundary, they left adjacent fields vulnerable to grazing by wildlife. To address this issue, a hedge of Erythrina abyssinica was planted along the park's boundary (Karlowski 2004).

More recently, approximately 38,100 Erythrina trees were planted along the stone wall in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, spanning a distance of 12.7 kilometers from the Rwanda border to points along the border with DRC. This effort, led by IGCP’s Water4Virungas project in partnership with local communities and the Uganda Wildlife Authority, aimed to mitigate conflicts caused by problem animals such as buffalos. The project sought to enhance park-community relations while reducing crop raids (Nakayima 2021).

Eco-tourism was inaugurated in August 1993, initially offering activities such as mountain trekking, cave exploration, and hiking along nature trails. The range of tourist activities expanded in 1994, with the introduction of visits to the Nyakagezi group, a gorilla population known for migrating between the Ugandan and Congolese sectors of the Virunga Conservation Area (Karlowski 2004).

Even before official gorilla tourism commenced in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, a revenue-sharing system was established for communities residing near the park. Under this system, 20% of the income generated from park entrance fees was earmarked for community projects, such as the construction of schools or storage facilities. This approach has since become a fundamental aspect of Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) policies for all reserves across the country (Karlowski 2004).

Table 4. Conservation activities in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Category Specific activity Description Year of activity
1. Residential & commercial development Not reported
2. Agriculture & aquaculture 2.8. Prohibit (livestock) farmers from entering protected areas Several farms were moved out of the park after its establishment, allowing for the regeneration of vegetation (Karlowski 2004). 1992-Ongoing
3. Energy production & mining Not reported
4. Transportation & service corridors Not reported
5. Biological resource use 5.6. Conduct regular anti-poaching patrols Rangers conduct patrols (Karlowski 2004). 1989-Ongoing
6. Human intrusion & disturbance Not reported
7. Natural system modifications Not reported
8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases Not reported
9. Pollution Not reported
10. Education & Awareness 10.5. Implement multimedia campaigns using theatre, film, print media, discussions Printing of a childrens' book about gorillas for schools around the park (Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe). 2005
11. Habitat Protection 11.2. Legally protect primate habitat The site is classified as a National Park. 1991-Ongoing
11.6. Demarcate and enforce boundaries of protected areas Planting of Erythrina trees to enforce boundaries and reduce crop raiding by wildlife (Nakayima 2021, Karlowski 2004). 1993, 2021
12. Species Management 12.1. Habituate primates to human presence to reduce stress from tourists/researchers etc. Tourists can visit the Nyakagezi group (Karlowski 2004). 1994-Ongoing
13. Livelihood; Economic & Other Incentives 13.1. Provide monetary benefits to local communities for sustainably managing their forest and its wildlife (e.g. REDD, employment) Recently, 40 community members participated in both the Erythrina planting and the renovation of the stone wall delineating part of the park’s border. Community members were paid for their participation (Nakayima 2021). 2021
13.4. Run tourist projects and ensure permanent human presence at site Eco-tourism was introduced in 1993 (Karlowski 2004). 1993-Ongoing

Conservation activities list (Junker et al. 2017)

Challenges

Table 5. Challenges reported for Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Challenge Source
Not reported

Research activities

Documented behaviours

Table 6. Ape behaviors reported for Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Behavior Source
Not reported

External links

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

References

Granjon, A. C., Robbins, M. M., Arinaitwe, J., Cranfield, M. R., Eckardt, W., Mburanumwe, I., ... & Hickey, J. R. (2020). Estimating abundance and growth rates in a wild mountain gorilla population. Animal Conservation, 23(4), 455-465.
Karlowski, U. (2004). Ten Years of Gorilla Tourism in Mgahinga. Gorilla Journal, 28, 6-8.
Kungu, J. M., Neumbe, J., Kiganira, D. B., Tino, P., Namayanja, J., Kassuja, R., ... & Nizeyi, J. B. (2023). Prevalence and predisposing factors of covid-19 in Bwindi-Mgahinga mountain gorilla conservation area landscape, Uganda.
Nakayima, L. (2021). Strengthened Human– Wildlife Conflict Measures Restore Hope in the Virungas. Gorilla Journal, 62, 11-12.
Twinomugisha, D. & Chapman, C.A. (2006) Notes and records. African Journal of Ecology, 2, 220–224.


Page completed by: A.P.E.S. Wiki team Date: 28/02/2024

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