Jane Goodall Institute Uganda

INSIDE KIBALE: Reports of a so-called “chimpanzee civil war” in Kibale National Park are being misunderstood, according to park management. Speaking to @DailyExpressUg, Kibale NP Chief Warden, John Justice Tibesigwa said the reported clashes among chimpanzees are a normal part of ape behavior linked to competition over territory, food, water, and mates, not an extraordinary crisis as portrayed internationally. “Kibale remains stable and the chimpanzee population is actually increasing,” Tibesigwa said. The park, which spans about 795 square kilometres and hosts 13 primate species, recorded 1,001 chimpanzees in the 2019 census. A more recent survey reportedly indicates an increase of nearly 400 more chimpanzees. Tourism numbers are also rising: 📍17,000 visitors in 2022/23 📍19,660 visitors in 2023/24 📍20,773 visitors in 2024/25 Tibesigwa says the continued growth in both chimp populations and tourism demonstrates that the inter-community conflicts among chimpanzees are part of natural ecological processes and not a threat to the species’ survival. More stories, field videos, and exclusive insights from Kibale Forest loading on DailyExpress. #ExpressUpdates #ChimpanzeeCivilWars