A mangabey monkey. Recent
research shows that the rare monkeys prefer to live in undisturbed natural high
forests.
Buikwe - In the next one year, Ugandans and other tourists can
prepare to engage in a new form of tourism activity—tracking the Mangabeymonkeys.
Beyond the pleasure of following the grey-cheeked monkeys lies
the unique fact that one will be tracking primates whose existence is largely
limited to Uganda.
The government’s decision to promote the monkeys, also known as
Uganda Mangabey or Lophocebus Ugandae, as the newest tourism product followed
the commissioning of their habituation recently.
At the forefront of this initiative is the Ministry of
Environment, the National Forestry Authority and Nature and Livelihood, an NGO.
Dr William Olupot, who works with Nature and Livelihood, said
the monkeys are only found in Uganda although a small number lives on the Tanzanian
side of the Uganda-Tanzania border along Lake Victoria.
Locations
“In Uganda, they are found in Lwamunda, Sango Bay and Bugoma forests in KibaleNational Park and in the Mabira Central Forest Reserve in Buikwe District,” Dr Olupot said.
“In Uganda, they are found in Lwamunda, Sango Bay and Bugoma forests in KibaleNational Park and in the Mabira Central Forest Reserve in Buikwe District,” Dr Olupot said.
He said recent research has shown that the rare monkeys prefer
to live in undisturbed natural high forests, prompting the authorities to start
the habituation process.
The exercise, which will last between one and two years, will
see tourism officials slowly introduce humans to monkeys in a bid to make the
latter get used to the former.
Once the monkeys are comfortable relating with humans then the
public will be free to track them like they do with mountain gorillas in BwindiImpenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda.
Dr Olupot also wondered why Mabira, despite being close to the
city (60kms from Kampala) with a large forest and plenty of flora and fauna was
yet to be developed into a vibrant tourist destination.
Mr James Ndimukulaga, a director at the National Forest
Authority, said far from claims that humans had invaded Mabira and destroyed it
for charcoal and timber, the forest was still largely intact and could be
developed into a tourism hub.
The call from Mr Leo Twinomuhangi, the ranger manager at NFA,
however, was different.
He said there was evidence of “powerful” people connected to the
UPDF, the police and local leadership clearing sections of the forest.
“I wish all the mentioned people can repent and stop the act. No
one should ever cut a tree in Mabira and we will enjoy many more benefits,” he
said.
By: Bruce Amp
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