Uganda

Tracking the Sonso Community of Chimps

On our first day of chimp tracking, we follow Alf (shown) and Bahati.

Seeing chimps in the wild was the main reason that I came on this trip to Uganda. I have had a fascination with chimps since I discovered how closely our social networks are to theirs. Really, Facebook is a glorified Pant-Hoot, the vocalization chimps make to one another. Many of us humans tend to cryContinueContinue reading “Tracking the Sonso Community of Chimps”

The Ugandan Tree Phrenology Project

One of our roles on this Earthwatch expedition is to help with the Phrenology project, where they are studying how trees are budding, blooming and fruiting. The long term goal is to understand what is happening in the Budongo Rain Forest and to understand what is causing the changes, such as dwindling pollinators or climateContinueContinue reading “The Ugandan Tree Phrenology Project”

In the Budongo Forest Reserve

I have seen more non-human primates on The Budongo Forest Reserve here in northwestern Uganda than humans so far with Baboons, Black and White Colobus monkeys and Blue monkeys and even a group of about 10 very boisterous chimps visiting early one morning. Budongo has what brings many people to a home: good food. FigsContinueContinue reading “In the Budongo Forest Reserve”

(re) Imagine Uganda

What do you think of when I mention Uganda? If you’re like many of the people who I spoke to before I left, you think of the Ebola virus, Idi Amin and some war that’s being waged. The reality of present-day Uganda should bring to mind a colorful, lush landscape with one of the mostContinueContinue reading “(re) Imagine Uganda”

Destination: Tracking Chimps in Uganda

Tomorrow I leave for the Budongo Forest Reserve, where 700 chimps live, one of the largest populations of chimps in Uganda. I am volunteering with an expedition organized by Earthwatch.org, called Tracking Chimps Through the Trees of Uganda. During this volunteer research expedition, I will be investigating human, chimpanzee and monkey interactions while looking at strategiesContinueContinue reading “Destination: Tracking Chimps in Uganda”