Animals in Bwindi National Park
Animals in Bwindi National Park: Bwindi National Park’s fauna includes the renowned Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, one of Uganda’s few surviving rainforests and a World Heritage Site. The most well-known primates, the mountain gorillas, live in this woodland in southwest Uganda. The forest, which is located in Kanungu district near the DRC’s border with Uganda, is a close substitute for Virunga National Park.
About 120 mammal species, 248 bird species, 220 butterfly species, and 27 frog species are among the many animals that call the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest home. The mountain gorilla is the most sought-after creature among these enormous apes. Approximately 450 (almost half) of the world’s remaining 880 mountain gorillas are situated in Bwindi National Park. Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda are home to additional mountain gorillas. The more than twelve habituated gorilla families that make up Bwindi National Park’s mountain gorillas are accessible for trekking throughout the year in the four sectors of Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. In order for the rangers to quickly identify each gorilla in Bwindi, they have given each one a name.
It’s interesting to note that humans and gorillas share over 98% of their genes, therefore you might be wondering how the gorillas grasp their given names.
Gorilla beringei beringei, the scientific term for mountain gorillas, are found in mountain forests, namely those close to the Virunga Mountains. Their thick fur, which keeps them warm in the winter, is their most well-known feature. Both male and female gorillas can live to be over 40 years old, with the average male weighing 180 kg and standing 170 cm tall. The term “silverback” comes from the fact that adult male gorillas have silver linings on their backs and have dark brown eyes.
Similar to humans, these primates are very gregarious and form lifelong bonds with one another. As previously stated, they reside in groups of five to thirty gorillas, each led by a male. It’s interesting to note that these groupings include three to four mature females who form lifelong bonds with the head silverback, three to six puppies, a subordinate silverback, and other gorillas. The silverback leader chooses the group’s routes and is in charge of keeping them safe.
Mountain gorillas eat all day long and are largely vegetarians. They adhere to pulp, tree bark, stems, roots, bamboo shoots, and fruits. To raise their salt levels, they occasionally eat termites and other similar insects. According to research, they don’t eat or sleep in one location, which allows their food to develop quickly.
The other ten species of monkeys in Bwindi National Park are second only to their fame. De Brazza monkeys, Red-tailed monkeys, the blue monkey, Potto, Demidoff’s Galago, Spectacled Galago, baboons, chimpanzees, the black and white colobus monkeys, and the L’hoest’s monkeys are among them. Because they lurk in the dense undergrowth of the impenetrable forest, these are rarely spotted.
Bwindi National Park is another stronghold for the birds. Bwindi is one of the top birdwatching destinations in the nation, home to more than 340 species of rare birds. Among the numerous internationally endangered species found in the forest are the Shelley’s Crimson Wing, the Chapin’s Flycatcher, and the Grauer’s broadbill. More of these species, include the black-billed turaco, collared apalis, white-bellied robin chat, handsome francolin, bronze naped pigeon, and regal sunbirds.
More than 200 butterfly species, including the African and cream banded swallowtails, may be found at Bwindi National Park. More than 20 amphibian species, including 14 snake and 14 lizard species, can be found there as well. Bwindi National Park is home to chameleons, geckos, and elephants, among other animal species.