Bulindi
Wagaisa
Blogs & Updates
Videos
Publications
The Kiraira–Kasunga chimpanzees
The Kiraira–Kasunga chimpanzees are the second of two communities monitored by BCCP whose former old-growth forest home was converted into plantations of exotic pine and eucalyptus trees—the other being the Kihomboza community. We believe the Kiraira–Kasunga and Kihomboza chimpanzees were formerly part of a single community that divided in response to habitat destruction.
They now occupy separate ranges, several kilometres apart. Like the Kihomboza chimpanzees, the Kiraira–Kasunga community also began ranging into nearby villages to find food, mainly the neighbouring villages of Kiraira and Kasunga, hence their name. Nevertheless, the chimpanzees continue to spend time within their former territory, despite the replacement of the natural forest with vast commercial timber plantations. Frequently, they spend the hot part of the day resting among the pines and eucalyptus, only leaving the cool of the plantations to feed in villagers’ fields in the late evenings and early mornings.
We began monitoring the Kiraira–Kasunga chimpanzees in 2023 and are still learning about them. In 2025, there were 20 chimpanzees in the community.
Location map
Meet the chimps of Kiraira–Kasunga
Shaun is the alpha male of the Kiraira–Kasunga chimpanzees. At 16 or 17 years old, he’s still young, but he’s a big guy in superb condition. He’s normally found in the company of females and their youngsters, rather than with the other males in the community.
Roony is one of five adult males in the community. He’s missing his right foot from a former encounter with a snare or trap.
Polly is a large, older female. She doesn’t have any dependent offspring. She’s almost always seen together with alpha male Shaun.
Immaculate is a natal female from the Wagaisa community. She disappeared from Wagaisa in April 2021, when she was about 9 years old. While we assumed she had left to join another group, we didn’t know where she had gone or if her migration was successful. When we began monitoring the Kiraira–Kasunga chimpanzees in January 2023, we were delighted to discover Immaculate living among them! In October 2024, Immaculate gave birth to her first infant in her new community.
Show your support
Your support is crucial in helping us to continue our conservation and community support efforts and make a positive impact on both people and nature. Every donation, no matter how small, makes a difference and helps to protect these magnificent animals and their vital habitats for generations to come.