Human Gorilla Conflict Resolution Teams (HUGOs) Teams Around BMCA Get Field Equipment | International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP)International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP)

“We appreciate your incredible work in addressing human wildlife conflict. Monthly reports show that incidences of mountain gorillas and wildlife leaving the park to raid community gardens have reduced, and, we have you to thank for this progress,” remarked Joshua Masereka, Community Conservation Warden for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.  The warden appreciated the Human Gorilla Conflict Resolution Teams (HUGOs) during a handover event of field equipment to the HUGO groups in Nkuringo. The HUGO teams around Bwindi received field protective gear including waterproof jackets, pair of waterproof trousers, high beam rechargeable torches, water bottles, backpacks, gum boots, branded T-shirts, and tarpaulins to shield them from the rain.

The items worth $ 7,450.87 given to 134 HUGO members were procured by IGCP with support from WWF Belgium to facilitate the HUGO teams around Bwindi in their work of herding problem animals from adjacent community gardens to the park to avoid crop raiding on community farms. “These items will not only protect but boost HUGO members’ morale to carry out their work especially in the rainy season,” said Henry Mutabaazi, IGCP Uganda Programme Management Advisor.  HUGO teams are volunteer scouts living in the park-edge communities. They are primarily volunteers and work closely with the park to manage problem animals and sensitize the community about mountain gorilla conservation.