This is our most exciting year for camera trapping in terms of the number of surprising records as part of our TEAM Network terrestrial vertebrate monitoring. We have captured three species that we have not recorded before. From a single location (approximately 1km from the park boundary), I bring you images of one of this
Bwindi’s Wild Bananas
It’s one of those times of year at ITFC when everyone is busy analyzing and writing up their completed research and we chose this opportunity to talk to Frederick Ssasli about his interesting study conducted on the little known wild banana species (Ensete venticosum) in Bwindi. The objective of his study was to investigate the
Mystery Animal Caught on Camera
Our TEAM camera traps continue to deluge us with information. Our 2010 camera trap survey recorded the first records in Bwindi of the sitatunga, the melanistic color morph of the African golden cat, poachers and many more. Earlier this year, a mystery duiker and more evidence of poaching were recorded. This time around, I have
Could Poachers have hunted Bwindi’s Leopards to extinction?
Hunting poses a major threat to many large mammals. It can also have a lasting impact. Just last month, a black-back mountain gorilla (in Bwindi) was brutally speared to death by suspected poachers for a reason that it had attacked their hunting dog. With only a few hundred animals it wouldn’t take much hunting to
Save the Shaggy Rat: Conserving Neglected Animals
Protected areas in SW Uganda include significant populations of several globally threatened animals. While mountain gorillas, elephants and chimpanzees have received a lot of attention, many smaller animals in the region remain poorly known and neglected. The last few weeks we have been putting together a proposal to address conservation of neglected species with a
Lichens: Little known but very Significant
Lichens may be found all over the world, from the Antarctic continent to the tropics, in habitats ranging from spray-washed rocks by the sea, to boulders at the edge of the snowline on mountains; from rain forests to fogy deserts. In harsh, inhospitable environments they may be the only vegetation, and they are amongst the
Bwindi’s Brand-new Blue-eyed black Boubou bird
Some titles are too good to miss. How often in my lifetime can I expect to be able to write up “Bwindi’s brand-new blue-eyed black Boubou bird”? Well today I can! Recently I was passed a scientific paper by one of its authors, John Bates from the Chicago Field Museum. The paper has the title
Elephants in the Mists: a rare Bwindi sighting
The sudden crash hit the forest floor like thunder in the near distance. The ITFC tracker and field worker stopped, causing the team to fall short inches from him. His quivering lips, widened eyes, and stiff stance warned us all. Even the strong Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) guard with his long, threatening rifle and strict
Bwindi on Camera – Up close with Golden Cats
We are finally getting near the end of the selected pictures from the recent camera trap efforts in Bwindi. We’ve gone through over 15,000 but today it is finally time for my favourites. These animals are amazing. These are golden cats. Some background information: The African golden cat Caracal aurata is Africa’s most poorly known
Bwindi on Camera – Endangered Chimpanzees
We have lots of great pictures from the recent camera trap efforts in Bwindi. We have sifted through over 15,000 images to be able to share the best. Today we are back to the chimpanzees. Though we think of them as shy animals, some seem to like the camera. Perhaps it is simply curiosity. You