Horror as 6 children killed by chimpanzees – one thing to blame

A small town has been blighted by a series of chimpanzee attacks over recent years, with conservationists pinning the blame on one main factor. It’s reported that at least 80 children have been attacked with six confirmed deaths. The town of Muhorro, located in the Buyaga county of Uganda, has seen locals live alongside chimpanzees for generations. However, there has been a surge in attacks on children in recent years with locals now living in fear that the situation could worsen further.

There are around 5,000 wild chimpanzees living across Uganda and Muhorro has become one of the country’s major hotspots for attacks. In June 2022, five-year-old Mugabe Bikahwa was seriously injured after a chimpanzee attacked him while he was fetching water with other children. Around a year later, Aroho Ahumuza, a two-month-old baby girl, died after being snatched from her mother as she walked to the garden. The most recent attack was last October where a five-month-old baby boy was killed by a number of chimpanzees.

He was tied to his mother’s back before the animals emerged and snatched him, The Observer in Uganda reports.

Ben Wabyona, a local resident, said: “We cannot continue losing our children. Government should consider relocating these animals to places like Kibale National Park.”

Conservationsists have pointed out that deforestation across Uganda has caused chimpanzees to lose their natural feeding grounds and shelter. They have now been forced to move closer to people in the search of food.

According to the United Nations, Uganda, a landlocked country located in east-central Africa, is losing forest cover at an alarming rate due to shifting agriculture, illegal logging and charcoal production. It’s estimated that nearly 95% of households across the nation rely on wood fuel for cooking.

The government is now working with conservation groups to invest in restoration programs. These include community-led tree planting and stricter forest crime monitoring.

However, in Muhorro, locals are living in fear of chimpanzee attacks as the apes move closer to their communities. Children, who often walk alone to collect water or play near forest edges, are most at risk.

Kuteesa Swaleh Kadoma, executive director of Friends of Chimpanzees, added: “Chimpanzees were not aggressive in the past because they had enough food and space. But with deforestation, they are now forced into communities.”

He continued: “When people throw stones at chimpanzees or attempt to chase them, the animals perceive it as a threat. They may retreat, but later return to retaliate.

“We are encouraging communities to protect chimpanzees because harming them can lead to legal consequences. At the same time, we are offering practical solutions to improve livelihoods.”