Nabasumba Proscovia
At the Budongo forest stretch at Entebbe Zoo, you will be struck by the excitement and wonder of being surrounded by a community of chimpanzees. The man-made forest, nestled along the shores of Lake Victoria, is home to a group of these intelligent and social primates.
Standing in front of the chimpanzee enclosure, a youngster caught my eye. The baby chimp, no more than a year old, was sitting on a rock, staring intently at me. I smiled and waved, and to my surprise, the chimp waved back. The chimp’s enthusiastic gaze and curious nature left me feeling connected to this amazing animal. The chimp’s attention was diverted by a group of tourists who threw bananas towards it. The chimp and its companions eagerly tried to catch the fruit, shouting and waving their hands in excitement. I was mesmerized by their energy and joy, and couldn’t help but smile at their antics.
Tanyawu Benjamin, a tour guide at the zoo, shared some interesting insights about the chimpanzees. “Chimpanzees are very amazing animals,” he said. “If you want to catch their attention, just throw bananas towards them. They are caring if you show care, but aggressive if you are aggressive towards them. They live in communities and have a leader at any given time, called the alpha male who is the boss.”
As I observed the chimps, I noticed their unique characteristics and behaviors. Sarah, a gentle and playful chimpanzee, was brought to the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC) after being confiscated from traffickers. Ruth, also known as the “Senior Woman,” is a troublemaker and considers herself very special. Shaka, a bully to the younger ones, is also a laid-back chimpanzee fond of complaining and reporting others to the alpha male.
According to Tom, a researcher at the zoo, chimpanzees are highly intelligent and remarkable problem-solvers. “I have been studying this community for two weeks now, and some of the notable observations I’ve seen are that chimps are so similar to humans in the way they live and respect leadership,” he said. “They are generally gentle animals unless provoked, playful in the mid-morning hours, and rest in the afternoons.”
Dr. Jane Goodall, a renowned primatologist, has highlighted the urgent need to protect chimpanzees from extinction. “The qualities that separate humans from chimpanzees are complex and multi-dimensional,” she believes. “One key aspect is the concept of an indomitable spirit in humans.”
At departure time, i felt a sense of wonder and awe at the complexity and beauty of these amazing animals. The encounter was brief, but it left a lasting impression on me. Chimpanzees are indeed remarkable creatures, and it’s essential that we educate ourselves more on the subject to enhance conservation efforts for this endangered species.
