Bwindi Park Rangers Learn How to Identify Gorillas Using Modern Technology

Knowledge is useless unless it makes an impact on one’s life and the surrounding. This is one of the remarks Mr. John Justice Tibesigwa who represented the Area Conservation Manager for Bwindi and Mgahinga Conservation Area (BMCA) used at the closure of a three days training workshop in digital photography from 18th-20th October 2010.
The workshop was a second one in two months for the rangers. It was aimed at equipping the rangers with modern and update technology on how best they can improve on their Wildlife Health Monitoring techniques in BMCA.

The training attracted rangers from different habituated gorilla groups in BMCA especially from Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga. Rangers including Agenya David, Otekat James both from Buhoma were joined by Kyosimiire Scovia from Ruhija, Binaisa Godfrey from Rushaga and Tugumisirize Richard from Nkuringo.

CTPH Team headed by Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, also attended the training. They included Stephen Rubanga, Joseph Byonanebye, Dr. Abdulhameed Kateregga, Hillary Agaba and David Matsiko. Mr. Muramura P Musiime took the participants in the introduction to digital camera where he emphasized the use of very good pictures in Wildlife Health Monitoring. He illustrated how to take very good pictures and the rangers learnt from him.

On day two and three, the rangers and the CTPH Team went to track M and R gorilla groups while learning from Muramura how to take very nice pictures.
After the training, the five rangers went home with cameras each that will be used in wildlife health monitoring.

Godfrey Balyesiima the warden Tourism and John Justice Tibesigwa who represented the CAM were very happy for the cordial working relationship between CTPH and Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).

In August, the same rangers were trained. All these trainings are aimed at controlling disease transmission at the wildlife-human-livestock interface while cultivating a winning attitude towards conservation and public health in the local communities surrounding BMCA.