Eastern chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) are present in Bugoma Central Forest Reserve.
The chimpanzee population size is unknown; the density in 2006 was 1.99 individuals per km².
The chimpanzee population trend is unknown.
The site has a total size of 400 km².
Key threats to chimpanzees are hunting and clearing land for agriculture.
Conservation activities have focused on providing clean water access and raising conservation awareness.
Site characteristics
Table 1. Basic site information for Bugoma Central Forest Reserve
Area
400 km²
Coordinates
1.304 N, 31.016 E
Designation
Central Forest Reserve
Habitat types
In 2006, the density of chimpanzees was estimated to be 1.99 chimpanzees/km² (Plumptre & Cox 2006).
Table 2. Ape population estimates in Bugoma Central Forest Reserve
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
Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii
2006
1.99
Bugoma Forest
Line transects (Distance)
Plumptre & Cox 2006
Survey effort: 511.2 km
Threats
Table 3. Threats to apes in Bugoma Central Forest Reserve
Category
Specific threats
Threat level
Quantified severity
Description
Year of threat
1. Residential & commercial development
Absent
2. Agriculture & aquaculture
2.1 Annual & perennial non-timber crops
Present, but threat severity is unknown
Encroachment of forest habitat for farming affecting the boundaries (Hobaiter & Gruber pers. comm. 2020). Sugarcane companies are clearing land within the reserve (Lewton 2020).
Ongoing (2020)
3. Energy production & mining
Absent
4. Transportation & service corridors
4.1 Roads & railroads
Present, but threat severity is unknown
Busy dirt road cuts through the main forest block and divides chimpanzees' (and other species') territory - danger from speeding vehicles (Hobaiter & Gruber pers. comm. 2020).
Ongoing (2020)
5. Biological resource use
5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals
Present, but threat severity unknown
The whole forest is affected.
Snares placed for duiker and bush pigs also trap chimpanzees. Chimpanzees are also directly targeted by hunters (Hobaiter & Gruber pers. comm. 2020).
Ongoing (2020)
5. Biological resource use
5.3 Logging & wood harvesting
Present, but threat severity is unknown
The whole forest is affected.
Illegal logging is present throughout forest, in particular outside of the immediate research areas; includes chimpanzee feeding species. Trees illegally felled for charcoal burning and firewood, particularly around the boundaries (Hobaiter & Gruber pers. comm. 2020).
Ongoing (2020)
6. Human intrusion & disturbance
Absent
7. Natural system modifications
Absent
8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases
8.4 Problematic species/diseases of unknown origin
Present, but threat severity is unknown
The whole forest is affected.
Respiratory outbreaks. Other sites in Uganda have confirmed similar respiratory pathogens of human origin (Hobaiter & Gruber pers. comm. 2020).
Ongoing (2020)
9. Pollution
Absent
10. Geological Events
Absent
11. Climate change & severe weather
11.1 Habitat shifting & alteration
Present, but threat severity is unknown
The whole forest is affected.
Some evidence that there is decreasing fruiting in forest trees, perhaps impacted by increase in overnight temperature lows (Hobaiter & Gruber pers. comm. 2020).
The Bugoma Primate Conservation Project was established in 2015, and works in collaboration with local communities surrounding the reserve on a number of conservation activities, including school classes, plastic waste recycling, and clean water programs.
Table 4. Conservation activities in Bugoma Central Forest Reserve
Category
Specific activity
Description
Year of activity
1. Residential & commercial development
Not reported
2. Agriculture & aquaculture
Not reported
3. Energy production & mining
Not reported
4. Transportation & service corridors
Not reported
5. Biological resource use
Not reported
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, and discussions
The Bugoma Primate Conservation Project visits local schools and communities to talk about the Bugoma Forest, and hold conservation film nights (Bugoma Primate Conservation Project n.d.)
Ongoing
11. Habitat Protection
Not reported
12. Species Management
Not reported
13. Livelihood; Economic & Other Incentives
Clean water access program (Bugoma Primate Conservation Project n.d.)
Table 5. Challenges reported for Bugoma Central Forest Reserve
Challenge
Source
Civil unrest
(Hobaiter & Gruber pers. comm. 2020)
Research activities
Following initial surveys in 2015, systematic habituation of chimpanzee communities started in 2016 and is ongoing. Several groups of Ugandan mangabey are already habituated. Systematic data collection on chimpanzee behaviour, forest tree phenology, illegal activities, rainfall, and temperature are collected by the Bugoma Primate Conservation Project.
Bugoma Central Forest Reserve
Documented behaviours
Table 6. Ape behaviors reported for Bugoma Central Forest Reserve
