Gorilla Journal 17, December 1998
Gorillas in Mgahinga Park, August 1997 to July 1998
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park was established on May 9, 1991, following
a long history of name and boundary changes. It is located in the southwestern
corner of Uganda and is the smallest park in Uganda with an area of
33.7 km². It contains a range of montane forest and non-forest vegetation,
a range of animal species (including the golden monkey, elephants, buffaloes,
duikers), and is visited frequently by groups of mountain gorillas which
cross the border from the adjacent national parks in the Democratic Republic
of Congo (Parc National des Virunga) and Rwanda (Parc National des Volcans).
The park consists of the Ugandan slopes of three inactive volcanoes: Muhavura,
Gahinga and Sabinyo. Due to El Niņo, the park and its surroundings experienced
a very wet season, with the highest peak of rainfall from December 1997
to February 1998. In April 1998, there were reports of several deaths
of people who were swept away by run off from the slopes of the volcanoes.
On April 13, 1998, a child of our porter drowned in a heavy downpour of
rain.
The aim of the survey was to determine the number of mountain gorillas
that use Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which area and which time of
the year. Emphasis was laid on unhabituated groups. A team of 4 experienced
rangers was deployed (not on a daily basis) to carry out monitoring of
the presence or signs of any gorilla group and at the same time patrol
for illegal activities. Any findings were recorded on a piece of paper
including the name of the place. This information was later plotted on
a map of the park. In the second half of the monitoring period, most of
the data collected also included the tourist group (Nyakagezi). There
were rare sightings of wild groups.
In the second half of the study period, few observations were made compared
to the first half. Dung droppings, trails, nest sites and physical sightings
were recorded. The gorilla signs were noted mainly around Rugezi Swamp,
Sabinyo, Gahinga, Muhavura and Kabiranyuma, near the Rwanda-Uganda border.
The observations were mainly confined to Zone 1 of the park.
It was noted that only the Nyakagezi group (habituated) uses part of the
formerly encroached areas in Zone 2, Nyakagezi triangle, mainly when in
transit to and from the Congo. The earlier group of about 7 individuals
sighted in February 1997 was not seen at all during the later part of
the study. However, 4 nests were seen close to Rugezi swamp on the border
to Rwanda; the nests are believed to have been made by a part of the group
of 7.
The following groups were found: a group of 7, a group of 3, a group of
2, a lone gorilla and a group of 10 (Nyakagezi). The dominant male in
the tourist group is constantly being challenged by a younger silverback.
The dominant male has had wounds for a good period of time.
As May, June and July progressed, there were few sightings and observations
due to the onset of the dry spell with parts of the Mgahinga Gorilla National
Park becoming dry; this hampered the observation of signs like trails.
We strongly believe that during the study period, there were 4 gorilla
groups (including the tourist group) and a lone silverback, making a total
of 23 individuals.
Although it has been estimated that about 23 animals use the park, this
figure may not be accurate. In the second half of the study period, the
same manpower was deployed as in the first half; however, not all areas
could be visited on all days in every month. This was due to the increasing
activities in the park, namely research, security patrols, community liaison
and tourism.
The donation by Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe of 2 pairs
of binoculars was an additional incentive to the field staff, who at the
moment are involved in observing and identifying birds. The jungle boots
(good quality) went a long way in facilitating the field work. These boots
have proved to be ideal for the rough terrain in Mgahinga Gorilla National
Park. Special thanks go to Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthilfe
who provided financial and material support and the willingness of the
staff to ensure the field data collection and write-up of this report.
Ignatius Achoka
Ignatius Achoka has been Warden of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Senior Warden-in-Charge in the Mgahinga National Park.
Gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park