Cultural, religious leaders urged to champion Chimpanzee conservation
She emphasized that many people identify chimpanzees as their totems, making these leaders crucial allies in conservation efforts.
Kagadi: Civil society organizations in the Bunyoro subregion are calling on cultural and religious leaders to take a more active role in chimpanzee conservation efforts.
This appeal was made recently by Ms. Barbra Babweteera, executive director of the Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda (CCFU), during a media engagement focused on culture and conservation held at Hill View Hotel.
Babweteera highlighted that cultural and religious leaders hold significant influence in the community and can help educate the public about the importance of chimpanzees and their protection.
She emphasized that many people identify chimpanzees as their totems, making these leaders crucial allies in conservation efforts.
Babweteera also urged Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom authorities to intensify education on the economic benefits of chimpanzees, particularly in terms of tourism revenue. Noting that chimpanzees share 98.7% of their DNA with humans, she stressed the need for their protection and the potential for learning from them.
Human-wildlife conflicts
The Bunyoro region is facing a significant rise in human-wildlife conflict, deeply affecting both local communities and wildlife. Babweteera, highlighted habitat destruction and fragmentation as the main causes of this escalating issue.
Babweteera pointed out that human activities, particularly the rapid expansion of sugarcane plantations, urbanization, and charcoal production, are driving wildlife into human-dominated areas. This has led to an increase in incidents of crop damage, livestock loss, and even human attacks by wildlife.
To address these challenges, Babweteera emphasized the need for sustainable land-use planning, promoting community-led conservation efforts, and developing alternative livelihoods for local residents. These strategies aim to foster a harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife, ultimately benefiting both.
Additionally, Swalleh Kuteesa, founder of Friends of Chimpanzees Family, called for the government to prioritize planting indigenous trees in forest restoration efforts, as these provide essential food sources for chimpanzees.
He expressed frustration over the promotion of non-native species like pine and eucalyptus, which do not support local ecosystems.
During a media visit to Kiryabyenju cell, residents voiced their concerns about chimpanzee attacks. Local resident William Kyaligonza shared that his grandchild was severely injured in a recent incident, and he received no compensation from the government.
He noted that the community lives in fear of further attacks on children and livestock.
Julius Tumwesige, a ranger from Uganda Wildlife Authority, emphasized the need for cooperation between humans and chimpanzees to prevent conflicts. He reiterated that UWA has been working to educate locals on peaceful coexistence strategies.
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