Uganda’s oldest Chimpanzee, Zakayo turns 44

Growing up i remember going to the then Entebbe Zoo, which has now been transformed into the Uganda Wildlife Education Center. The main attraction then was and still is Zakayo, a male chimpanzee whose name is probably more well known among the younger generation in Uganda than many people's names. This Chimpanzee which was brought to the zoo in 1976 turned 44 years old early this month. To mark this great occasion the Uganada Wildlife Education Centre hosted the public to celebrate this old grandpa's birthday party on Friday 15th of August. One would have thought it was a politician or some big shot who was celebrating his birthday party.

According to the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre press release, Zakayo is one of the main attractions at the Conservation centre and his birthday deserved to be recognized together with a number of activities and the public needed to be invited. In the past this celebration involved the public mainly schools that came in bus loads and involves answering questions especially in connection to wildlife conservation, quiz and other competitions during the celebration.

Zakayo was rescued from Semliki in Bundibungyo district in june 1972 and was raised by hand. It is said to be very fatherly to the rest of the chimpanzees in the education centre going out and coming in the morning and evenings respectively. Zakayo has sired 8 chimpanzees since his arrival at the centre.

The Education centre officials urged the public to continue supporting tourism which has was the second highest income earner to the country in 2007.

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The Mpanga Cycad plants

The cycads plants in the area surrounding the Mpanga falls may soon be no more despite their environmental values and the income it generates for the communities around from the tourists and botanist who visit the region. The government of Uganda wishes uses these falls to generate the much need electricity for the development of the country with the help of the South Asia Energy Management Systems. However, environmentalists like Achilles Byaruhanga argue that the destruction of the cycad plants is in contravention of the Convention on Biological Diversity. On the other hand protagonists of the proposed development argue that the economical development that will accompany the development of the 18 Mega Watts hydro power plant far surpasses the need to conserve the area and the cycads plants and the falls and the “paltry” income the Banyaruguru and communities around are getting from the tourism. Achilles Byaruhanga argues that the destruction of these 200-300 year old trees is not worth the construction of the power plant. The cycad plants have been described as the “dinosaurs of Uganda” by many conservationists and tourists around the world.
This is indeed a catch-22 for both developers and conservationists not only in Uganda but around the world. Development without a good conservation program is a definite way to a country to loss out in the end, since there will be no way to ensure continuity of what has been achieved.

The protagonists argue that 200-300 year old plants mean nothing to the poor communities in which they are found. However, if we continue to destroy all that is around us with no regard for environmental impacts that will result we are only shooting ourselves in the foot. It is not any different from bandaging a wound without cleaning it and a not thinking about its proper healing, it will only lead to gangrene.

On the other hand we have to look at ways of fostering development while thinking about the future generations rather than looking at short term goals which are sure to leave us playing catch-up and trying to remedy the situation.

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