Rt Rev Dan Zoreka, the Bishop of the Diocese of Kinkiizi, delivered a heartfelt plea to the public during the commemoration of World Chimpanzee Day on Friday, July 26th, 2024. Speaking at Ngoto Hub in Kirima Sub County, Kanungu District, in collaboration with the Uganda Wildlife Authority, Bishop Zoreka emphasized the critical role of chimpanzees in both local ecosystems and tourism revenue.
Under the theme “Chimpanzees, Mountain Gorillas, People in a Shared Landscape,” Bishop Zoreka underscored the importance of protecting chimpanzees and their habitats. He urged responsible and eco-friendly tourism practices that benefit local communities and promote conservation efforts.
Highlighting the Diocese of Kinkiizi’s initiatives, Bishop Zoreka called for heightened awareness about the threats facing chimpanzees due to poaching and habitat destruction. He stressed the need for collaborative efforts among communities, conservationists, and tourists to ensure the sustainable future of these endangered species.
CUE IN ….BISHOP DAN ZOREKA RR //
John Makumba, Director of Conservation Tourism at Uganda Wildlife Authority, echoed Bishop Zoreka’s sentiments, emphasizing the urgent need for chimpanzee protection. He announced UWA’s commitment to fund chimpanzee habituation efforts in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, working closely with the Diocese of Kinkiizi to establish safe havens like the Ngoto Tourism Camp.
CUE IN…. MAKUMBA ENG//
Byamukama James, Executive Director of the Jane Goodall Institute, praised Dr. Jane Goodall’s pioneering research on chimpanzees and highlighted the behavioral similarities between humans and chimpanzees. He underscored World Chimpanzee Day’s role in advocating for the protection of chimpanzees and other forest species crucial to environmental conservation.
The commemoration served as a poignant reminder of the shared responsibility to safeguard wildlife and promote sustainable practices that benefit both nature and local communities in Uganda’s Kanungu District.
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