Support to solve the effect of flooding at Ngamba

In early 2024, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary faced an extraordinary challenge. Unprecedented flooding caused by record-high water levels in Lake Victoria inflicted significant damage on our facilities. The rising waters compromised essential infrastructure, including staff accommodations, visitor areas, our docking pier, and critically, the electric fence vital to the chimps security.

The Flood's Impact:

• Submerged Buildings: Water damage left walls crumbling, impacting staff and visitor facilities, including accommodations, the island shop, restaurant, and visitor center.
• Unsafe Pier: Our docking pier, essential for transport, was partially submerged and weakened, posing a safety risk to staff and visitors.
• Compromised Chimpanzee Security: The electric fence, crucial for preventing escapes and protecting both the chimpanzees and staff, was severely damaged. Sections were on the verge of collapse due to rotting wooden supports and cracked fence walls.

Key Achievements Made Possible by the funds:

• Reinforced Chimpanzee Enclosure: We replaced the vulnerable wooden fence posts with durable galvanized metal poles, creating a 280-meter secure buffer zone with 28 lines of electrified wire. This drastically reduced the risk of chimpanzee escapes, providing a safer environment for everyone. We built a gabion wall with stones to protect the water ends of the fence preventing further wave erosion and protecting the main chimpanzee enclosure fence.
• Restored Staff and Visitor Facilities: We repaired and renovated staff accommodations, the visitor center, information center, and island shop, rebuilding walls, adding verandas, and repainting to restore functionality and create a welcoming environment.
• Strengthened Docking Pier: The pier was reinforced with galvanized poles and mesh, making boat docking safer and providing a secure walkway for staff and visitors.

Conclusion:

We are confident that the improvements made possible by the support of donors will significantly enhance the sanctuary's resilience and protect our chimpanzees and staff.