Supporting Ugandan Rangers

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Conservation project 2 of 6

Title
Supporting Ugandan Rangers

Location
Mgahinga National Park, Uganda

Gorillas
Mountain gorillas

Local Partner: Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA)

Description

Rangers carry out one of the most important roles in conservation. They are the last line of defence, protecting the gorillas and their habitat from the demands of the wider world, and they are the eyes, ears and voice of the forest.

They work in an environment that is hostile, unforgiving and often dangerous, yet they manage to build relationships with the gorillas that are intimate, lasting and which have undoubtedly saved gorillas’ lives.

The Gorilla Organization works with the Ugandan Wildlife Authority to support the rangers working to protect the gorillas in Mgahinga National Park. These rangers record invaluable census information, which enables conservationists to monitor and evaluate the success of conservation efforts. The rangers also monitor the health and wellbeing of the gorillas, remove any dangerous traps left by hunters which could harm the gorillas and help protect the gorillas from human pressures such as fuel collection and farming.

Progress

In April 2008 the Gorilla Organization installed two water tanks at the Mgahinga National Park ranger patrol post. The tanks collect and filter rain water from the building roof, providing the rangers with a supply of fresh water that is essential for their patrols into the forest.

In July 2008 the Gorilla Organization funded the repair of the stone wall that borders the national park, separating the gorilla habitat from the surrounding park land. Over the years this wall had fallen into a state of disrepair, which not only allowed wild animals to wander out of the forest and onto nearby farms damaging crops, but also left the boundary undefined, allowing for farm land and other human activities to encroach on the forest. After numerous community meetings to gather support for the wall and encourage local participation in the construction process, the wall was completed in November 2008, and continues to support the work of the rangers protecting the forest.

In December 2008 the Gorilla Organization provided the Ugandan Wildlife Authority rangers with a power saw, which is facilitating the removal of invasive, non-native plant species and therefore helping with forest management.