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Kibale National Park

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Kibale National Park is a national park in western Uganda , protecting moist evergreen rainforest . It is 766 square kilometres (296 sq mi) in size and ranges between 1,100 metres (3,600 ft) and 1,600 metres (5,200 ft) in elevation. Despite encompassing primarily moist evergreen forest, it contains a diverse array of landscapes. Kibale is one of the last remaining expanses to contain both lowland and montane forests. In eastern Africa, it sustains the last significant expanse of pre-montane forest.

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35-463: The park was gazetted in 1932 and formally established in 1993 to protect a large area of forest previously managed as a logged forest reserve. The park forms a continuous forest with Queen Elizabeth National Park . This adjoining of the parks creates a 180 kilometres (110 mi) wildlife corridor . It is an important ecotourism and safari destination, well-known for its population of habituated chimpanzees and twelve other species of primates . It

70-511: A "U" shape of long white fur runs along the sides of their body. Newborn colobi are completely white with a pink face. Cases of allomothering are documented, which means members of the troop other than the infant's biological mother care for it. Allomothering is believed to increase inclusive fitness or maternal practice for the benefit of future offspring. Many members participate in a greeting ritual when they are reunited with familiar individuals, an act of reaffirming. The greeting behaviour

105-767: A 7 hours 30 minutes drive from Kampala to reach the park. The park is also connected by daily domestic flights from Entebbe International Airport, which land at Mweya Airstrip , Kihihi Airstrip and Kasese Airstrip . Tourist accommodations at the park include a range of lodges and tented camps. QENP and the Queen Elizabeth Country Park in England are twinned in a project of "cultural exchange, mutual support and has its main emphasis on supporting Conservation through working closely with and empowering local communities". Black-and-white colobus Black-and-white colobuses (or colobi ) are Old World monkeys of

140-475: A food source, which may serve to save energy. Groups seem to regularly switch up sleeping locations (suggested due to reducing risk of parasites and placement prediction) and generally do not sleep near other groups. They also tend to sleep more tightly together on nights with great visibility. They sleep in mid- to upper sections of tall trees which allows for predator watch as well as protection from ground and aerial predators while they are asleep. Although there

175-479: A forest restoration technique within the park. This study showed a high level of natural regeneration of indigenous trees within pine plantations most likely due to the use of these plantations by seed dispersing animals such as redtail monkeys, chimpanzees, duikers, and bushpigs, all of which were sited or tracked within the plantations. Robusta coffee grows natively in the Kibale forest area. From 1999 to 2002 an effort

210-492: A montane habitat colobus are known to utilise lichen as a fallback food during periods of low food availability. Colobuses live in territorial groups that vary in both size (3-15 individuals) and structure. It was originally believed that the structure of these groups consisted of one male and about 8 female members. However, more recent observations have shown variation in structure and the number of males within groups, with one species forming multi-male, multifemale groups in

245-656: A multilevel society, and in some populations supergroups form exceeding 500 individuals. There appears to be a dominant male, whilst there is no clear dominance among female members. Relationships among females are considered to be resident-egalitarian, as there is low competition and aggression between them within their own groups. Juveniles are treated as a lower-rank (in regards to authority) than subadults and likewise when comparing subadults to adults. Colobuses do not display any type of seasonal breeding patterns. As suggested by their name, adult colobi have black fur with white features. White fur surrounds their facial region and

280-639: Is also the location of the Makerere University Biological Field Station. Two major tribes, the Batooro and Bakiga, inhabit the area around the park. They use the park for food, fuel, and other resources with the help of the Uganda Wildlife Authority. In the last century, the population around the park has increased by sevenfold. This is speculated to be because the park directly brings in revenue for those living around it and

315-626: Is approximately 400 kilometres (250 mi) by road south-west of Kampala , Uganda's capital and largest city. The city of Kasese lies to the northeast of the park, while the town of Rubirizi is to the southeast. The park adjoins Kyambura Game Reserve to the east, which itself adjoins the Kigezi Game Reserve (including the Maramagambo Forest ) and thus the Kibale National Park to the northeast. The Virunga National Park in

350-448: Is cleared for agriculture and then abandoned after a few years. These lands are coming back at different rates and some are showing no possibility of re-growth. The effect these lands have on primates is still slightly unknown but some studies have started weeding out answers. Most primates are evenly distributed throughout the entire forest, whether there was agriculture encroachment or not. Different species have different diets and many of

385-412: Is dominated by shade-tolerant shrubs and herbs, which include Palisota schweinfurthii and Pollia condensata , in addition to ferns and broad leaf grasses. Many studies have been conducted within the park to assess the factors influencing forest regeneration and forest management techniques. One such study's results suggested that forest restoration could be achieved through preventing fires within

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420-404: Is generally carried out by the approaching monkey and often is followed with grooming. They participate in three greeting behaviours of physical contact. This includes mounting, head mounting (grasps the shoulders) and embracing. It seems as though these behaviours do not have any relationship with mating or courting. Black-and-white colobus have complex sleeping patterns. They sleep in trees near

455-590: Is known for its abundant wildlife, including African elephant , African buffalo , Ugandan kob , hippopotamus , topi , waterbuck , warthog , giant forest hog , Nile crocodile , leopard , spotted hyena , chimpanzee and lion . Overall, the park is home to 95 mammal species and over 600 bird species. The area around Ishasha in Rukungiri District is famous for its tree-climbing lions, whose males often sport black manes. In 2020, Uganda Wildlife Authority executive director Samuel John Mwandha stated that

490-575: Is no obvious preference for tree type, they have often been observed in Antiaris toxicaria . They are prey for many forest predators such as leopards and chimpanzees , and are threatened by hunting for the bushmeat trade, logging, and habitat destruction. Individuals are more vigilant (conspecific threat) in low canopy, they also spend less time scanning when they are around familiar group members as opposed to unfamiliar. There are no clear difference in vigilance between male and females. However, there

525-695: Is one of Uganda’s most popular tourist destinations, annually receiving one of the highest number of visitors of any of the country's national parks. Popular activities include chimp tracking in Kyambura Gorge , boat cruises, guided game drives including to view tree climbing lions in the Ishasha sector, night drives and nature walks. Visitors can also go on a lion experience with the Uganda Carnivore Program, with proceeds going toward carnivore conservation. Tourists visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park make

560-577: The Democratic Republic of the Congo lies across the border to the west. Together, these protected places completely encircle Lake Edward . The Rwenzori Mountains National Park in Uganda lies not far to the northwest. Confusingly, during the 1970s and 1980s, Western conservationists usually referred to the park as Rwenzori National Park . In 1921, a rinderpest epidemic and sleeping sickness among

595-901: The Uganda mangabey ( Lophocebus ugandae ), the Ugandan red colobus ( Procolobus tephrosceles ) and the L'Hoest's monkey . Other primates that are found in the park include the black-and-white colobus ( Colobus guereza ) and the blue monkey ( Cercopithecus mitis ). The park's population of elephants travels between the park and Queen Elizabeth National Park . Other terrestrial mammals that are found within Kibale National Park include red and blue duikers , bushbucks , sitatungas , bushpigs , giant forest hogs , common warthogs , and African buffalo . The carnivores that are present include leopards , African golden cats , servals , different mongooses and two species of otter . In addition, lions visit

630-551: The Uganda Carnivore Program and the Uganda Wildlife Authority through the use of radio collars and other conservation initiatives. The park is also famous for its volcanic features, including volcanic cones and deep craters, many with crater lakes, such as the Katwe craters , from which salt is extracted. Services in the park include a telecenter run by Conservation Through Public Health . Queen Elizabeth National Park

665-510: The border and seek refuge in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo . The park was founded in 1952 as Kazinga National Park by combining the Lake George and Lake Edward Game Reserves. It was renamed two years later to commemorate a visit by Queen Elizabeth II , and the last remaining communal grazing rights of the Songora herders were rescinded, causing thousands more to move across

700-679: The border with their herds into the Virunga National Park, most only beginning to return after 1964 due to the strife caused by the Mulele rebellion there. In 2006 the Basongora were forced to flee across the border from the DRC, settling in the park to the north of Lake Edward with their livestock. Attacks by predators on their property, and lack of compensation when their animals are killed, caused them to leave out carcasses laced with poison out to solve

735-1429: The female population. Complex behaviours have also been observed in this species, including greeting rituals and varying group sleeping patterns. Colobi play a significant role in seed dispersal. The word "colobus" comes from the Greek κολοβός ( kolobós , "docked", "maimed") and refers to the stump-like thumb. [REDACTED] Unknown [REDACTED] [REDACTED] Unknown [REDACTED] [REDACTED] Unknown [REDACTED] [REDACTED] Unknown [REDACTED] [REDACTED] 975 [REDACTED] Fossil species Colobus habitats include primary and secondary forests, riverine forests, and wooded grasslands; they are found more in higher-density logged forests than in other primary forests. Their ruminant -like digestive systems have enabled them to occupy niches that are inaccessible to other primates: they are herbivorous , eating leaves, fruit, flowers, lichen, herbaceous vegetation and bark. Colobuses are important for seed dispersal through their sloppy eating habits, as well as through their digestive systems. Leaf toughness influences colobus foraging efficiency. Tougher leaves correlate negatively with ingestion rate (g/min) as they are costly in terms of mastication , but positively with investment (chews/g). Individuals spend approximately 150 minutes actively feeding each day. In

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770-438: The genus Colobus , native to Africa . They are closely related to the red colobus monkeys of genus Piliocolobus . There are five species of this monkey, and at least eight subspecies. They are generally found in high-density forests where they forage on leaves, flowers and fruit. Social groups of colobus are diverse, varying from group to group. Resident-egalitarian and allomothering relationships have been observed among

805-475: The highest diversity and concentration of primates in Africa. It is home to a large number of endangered chimpanzees, as well as the red colobus monkey (status: Endangered) and the rare L'Hoest's monkey (Vulnerable). There are 13 species of primates in Kibale National Park. The park protects several well-studied habituated communities of common chimpanzee , as well as several species of Central African monkey including

840-529: The indigenous inhabitants of the region, the pastoralist Basongora , caused great death and emigration from the region. The epidemic was believed to be caused by the colonial government under the guise of a livestock vaccination campaign. The game increased, and the British colonial government decided to evict the remaining people from perhaps 90% of their lands to create game reserves. Their homes were torched and their livestock slaughtered, causing them to flee across

875-434: The less disturbed areas of the forest in their natural habitats. There are disturbances that are hindering some of these species. Logging effects have been studied specifically by a few people. Most studies find that logging seems to be having a negative effect on the species but there are some contradictions. Some species of primates occur less frequently in logged areas but others were unaffected. Degraded lands occur when land

910-431: The longest duration of fire exclusion. This suggests that seed dispersing animals were also more abundant in areas where fire was excluded. Lastly, the presence of seed dispersers and animal dispersed species of trees in some grassland plots suggest that suppressing fire and allowing natural seed dispersal to occur can encourage forest regeneration. Another study evaluated the use of exotic pine and cypress tree plantations as

945-405: The park and allowing natural succession to occur so that the grasslands formed due to human activity could naturally regenerate to forests. The results showed that plots within the park that had the longest history of fire exclusion and the highest tree species diversity. Tree species that require animal dispersal of their seeds were far more abundant than non-animal dispersed species in the plot with

980-465: The park on occasion. Bird life is also prolific. The park boasts 325 species of birds, including the olive long-tailed cuckoo , western tinkerbird , two species of pittas (African and green-breasted) and the grey parrot . The ground thrush ( Turdus kibalensis ) is endemic to Kibale National Park. Kibale National Forest has some of the highest abundances of species of primates in the area. There are many species of primates and these species persist in

1015-510: The premium market. Various blending schemes were turned down by coffee distributors. Project leaders estimated that $ 800,000 in marketing expenditure would be required to create demand. Sources: Queen Elizabeth National Park Queen Elizabeth National Park is a national park in the Western Region of Uganda . Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP) spans the districts of Kasese , Kamwenge , Rubirizi , and Rukungiri . The park

1050-479: The problem, killing off eleven lions in 2018, among numerous incidents. This caused those in the international tourism and conservation industry to refer to the situation as "national disaster". Previously, poachers killed six elephants in the park in 2015, triggering both anger and frustration within the Ugandan conservation community. QENP occupies an estimated 1,978 square kilometres (764 sq mi). The park

1085-470: The species are folivorous. One study actually found that black-and-white colobus ( Colobus guereza ) eat younger leaves over older leaves (this is thought to happen because the leaves have more protein and are easier to digest). There are approximately 229 species of trees found within the moist tropical forests of the park. Some endangered timber species of trees include Cordia millenii, Entandrophragma angolense, and Lovoa swynnertonnii. The forest understory

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1120-453: The tourism industry creates jobs. In addition, many farmers believe that the soil is better for growing crops year round. This increase in the population has caused the area around the park to be divided and developed or turned into plantations and farmland, and demand for firewood asserts pressure on the park's wildlife habitat. Cutting trees for fuel has already strained many of the forest areas outside Kibale. Kibale National Forest has one of

1155-525: The wildlife in park has been increasing in the last five years. QENP, together with the adjacent Virunga National Park , was designated as a 'lion conservation unit' by the IUCN in 2006. The area is also considered a potential lion stronghold in Central Africa, if poaching is curbed and prey species are allowed to recover. The resident lion population (including hyenas and leopards) are actively monitored by

1190-585: Was led by the Uganda Coffee Trade Federation , until the independent US-based non-profit Kibale Forest Foundation was created to take over the project. Sustainable annual yield was estimated at 680 kg (1,500 lb). Organic certification was delivered by the Swedish KRAV labeling firm. It was subsequently discovered that there was no demand for the product, as the robusta variety is perceived as inferior to arabica coffee typically demanded by

1225-751: Was made to commercialize this coffee as a premium consumer brand, emulating and extending the success of shade grown in Central America. Revenue from the coffee production was intended to finance conservation management activities. Initial funding for project development came from USAID. The project was implemented with funding from the Ford Foundation and $ 750,000 from the World Bank Global Environment Facility . The project had initial success in setting up local production standards and procedures and control infrastructure. Initially it

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