Rubondo Island National Park: Difference between revisions
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|6 Species management | |||
|6.1 Habituate primates to human presence to reduce stress from tourists/researchers | |||
|In 1997, the FZS, with the support of the Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA), launched a project aimed at habituating the chimpanzees on Rubondo Island (Moscovice et al. 2007). By 2003, the chimpanzees had become semi-habituated (Moscovice et al. 2010). | |||
|TANAPA and FZS | |||
|1997-Ongoing (2003) | |||
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|7 Economic & other incentives | |7 Economic & other incentives | ||
Revision as of 10:32, 23 December 2025
East Africa > Tanzania > Rubondo Island National Park
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Summary
- Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) are present in Rubondo Island.
- It has been estimated that a minimum 35 chimpanzees inhabited the site in 2014.
- The population trend is increasing.
- Between 1966 and 1969, 16 chimpanzees were introduced to the island from European zoos and circuses as part of a conservation project led by Professor Bernhard Grzimek of the Frankfurt Zoological Society.
Site characteristics
Rubondo Island, located in Lake Victoria, Tanzania, is home to a unique population of chimpanzees. Between 1966 and 1969, 16 chimpanzees were introduced to the island from European zoos and circuses as part of a conservation project led by Professor Bernhard Grzimek of the Frankfurt Zoological Society. Rubondo Island spans approximately 237 square kilometers and is rich in fruit-bearing plants that produce food year-round, including figs. With fruit making up about 90% of a chimpanzee's diet, the island, though not their original habitat, provides a highly suitable environment for them to flourish (Rabel 2022).
Table 1. Basic site information for Rubondo Island National Park
| Species | Pan troglodytes |
| Area | 456.8 km² |
| Coordinates | Lat: -2.349904 , Lon: 31.858763 |
| Type of site | Protected area (National Park) |
| Habitat types | Subtropical/tropical moist lowland forest, Grassland |
| Type of governance | Governance by government |
Types of sites Governance types Habitat types
Ape status
Between 1966 and 1969, 17 chimpanzees were transported to Rubondo Island in four cohorts. One female died in transit, resulting in a total of 16 individuals released (Msindai et al. 2021). Successive population estimates recorded the following figures: a minimum of 20 individuals in 1983 (Borner 1988); between 24 and 32 individuals in 1994 (Müller & Anzenberger 1995); between 27 and 35 individuals in 2004 (Moscovice 2006); and a minimum of 35 invidividuals in 2014 (Msindai et al. 2021).
Table 2. Ape population estimates reported for Rubondo Island National Park
| Species | Year | Occurrence | Encounter or vistation rate (nests/km; ind/day) | Density estimate [ind./ km²] (95% CI) | Abundance estimate (95% CI) | Survey area | Sampling method | Analytical framework | Source | Comments | A.P.E.S. database ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pan troglodytes | 1966-1969 | 16.0 | Rubondo Island (237 km²) | Full count | Msindai et al. 2021 | ||||||
| Pan troglodytes | 1983 | 20.0 | Rubondo Island (237 km²) | Unknown | Borner 1988 | Estimate based on nest counts | |||||
| Pan troglodytes | 1994 | 24-32 | Rubondo Island (237 km²) | Unknown | Müller & Anzenberger 1995 | ||||||
| Pan troglodytes | 2004 | 27-35 | Rubondo Island (237 km²) | Unknown | Moscovice 2006 | ||||||
| Pan troglodytes | 2014 | 35.0 | Rubondo Island (237 km²) | Unknown | Msindai et al. 2021 | Estimate based on nest counts |
Sampling methods Analytical frameworks
Threats
Conservation activities
Table 4. Conservation activities reported for Rubondo Island National Park
| Category | Specific activity | Description | Implementing organization(s) | Year of activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Species health | 3.13 Implement a health programme for local communities | The national park was provided funding by TANAPA to build a health center in Ikuza village (Mwishawa & Haule 2019). | TANAPA (RINP) | 2016 |
| 4 Education & awareness | 4.2 Involve local community in ape research and conservation management | The Rubondo Island National Park provides conservation education to raise awareness in communities around the park but also provides employment opportunities to the community members (Mwishawa & Haule 2019). | TANAPA and Jane Goodall Roots & Shoots | Ongoing (2015) |
| 6 Species management | 6.1 Habituate primates to human presence to reduce stress from tourists/researchers | In 1997, the FZS, with the support of the Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA), launched a project aimed at habituating the chimpanzees on Rubondo Island (Moscovice et al. 2007). By 2003, the chimpanzees had become semi-habituated (Moscovice et al. 2010). | TANAPA and FZS | 1997-Ongoing (2003) |
| 7 Economic & other incentives | 7.1 Provide monetary benefits to local communities for sustainably managing their forest and its wildlife (e.g., REDD, alternative income, employment) | Rubondo Island National Park supports community initiated projects and one of the ways it does so is by providing education to income-generating groups but also providing soft loans to these groups (Mwishawa & Haule 2019). | TANAPA (RINP) | Ongoing (2019) |
Challenges
Enablers
Research activities
Documented behaviours
Exposure to climate change impacts
External links
References
Rabel, K. (2022). An island where chimpanzees rule. Retrieved March 10, 2025, from https://fzs.org/en/news/an-island-where-chimpanzees-rule/
Borner, M. (1988) Translocation of 7 mammal species to Rubondo Island National Park in Tanzania. In: Nielsen L, Brown RD (eds) Translocation of wild animals. Wisconsin Humane Society, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Milwaukee, pp 117–122
Müller, G. & Anzenberger, G. (1995) Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) of Rubondo Island, Tanzania. Anthropologisches Institut der Universität Zürich. (Pilot study, German with English summary). DOI: https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.31713.12648
Moscovice, L.R. (2006) Behavioral ecology of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) on Rubondo Island Tanzania: habitat diet grouping and ranging at a release site. PhD Dissertation. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin.
Msindai, J. N., Roos, C., Schürmann, F., & Sommer, V. (2021). Population history of chimpanzees introduced to Lake Victoria's Rubondo Island. Primates; journal of primatology, 62(2), 253–265. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10329-020-00884-5
Moscovice, L. R., Issa, M. H., Petrzelkova, K. J., Keuler, N. S., Snowdon, C. T., & Huffman, M. A. (2007). Fruit availability, chimpanzee diet, and grouping patterns on Rubondo Island, Tanzania. American Journal of Primatology: Official Journal of the American Society of Primatologists, 69(5), 487-502.
Moscovice, L. R., Mbago, F., Snowdon, C. T., & Huffman, M. A. (2010). Ecological features and ranging patterns at a chimpanzee release site on Rubondo Island, Tanzania. Biological conservation, 143(11), 2711 2721.
Mwishawa, M. G., & Haule, C. B. (2019). Influence of Community Involvement on Containment of Illegal Use of Natural Resources in Protected Areas: A Case of Outreach Programme in Rubondo Island National Park. Of Tourism (ICFT), 49.
Page created by: Priscilla Stanley Shao Date: 2024-12-09