Conservation Village
The Evidence Behind Our Work

Research & Conservation Projects

Full study abstracts, key findings, and field impacts, published and ongoing, documenting and testing the programmes described in Our Work.

Gorilla HealthBwindi Impenetrable National Park • 2023 - Present

Investigation of Gastrointestinal Helminths in Mountain Gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei)

A comprehensive study evaluating gastrointestinal helminth infections among habituated mountain gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Using non-invasive fecal sampling, the study mapped parasite diversity, egg burdens, and potential cross-species parasite transmission between gorillas, livestock, and local human populations.

Ongoing Field Research·Led by Dr. Kizza Ssemanobe Steven
One HealthBwindi Forest Edge Villages • 2023

Waterborne Pathogens at the Human-Livestock-Wildlife Shared Water Interface

Investigating water quality and disease vectors in streams and natural water points shared between mountain gorillas, domestic cattle, goats, and forest-edge agricultural households around Bwindi.

Published Study·Led by Dr. Kizza Ssemanobe Steven & Nanyunja Judith
Community LivelihoodsForest-edge communities, Budongo & Bwindi landscapes • 2023 - Present

Conservation Wealth Uganda: Livestock-Based Poverty Graduation

Conservation Wealth Uganda gives the poorest forest-edge households, and former hunters, a productive starting asset (goats, pigs or sheep) run as a closed-loop system with mentorship and village savings groups: the animals provide food, milk and income, their manure fertilises crops, and crop residues feed the animals in return. Preventive care, vaccination and early disease detection keep the herds alive, since a household that loses its livestock to preventable disease has little left to lose by returning to poaching.

Community Initiative·Led by Nanyunja Judith & Dr. Kizza Ssemanobe Steven
Disease SurveillanceBwindi Gorilla Tracking Sectors • 2022 - Present

Mountain Gorilla Daily Health Surveillance & Early Warning Disease Protocol

Formulating a standardized field observation framework for trackers and veterinarians to detect subtle clinical signs of respiratory, gastrointestinal, or traumatic illnesses in habituated gorilla groups.

Ongoing Field Research·Led by Dr. Kizza Ssemanobe Steven & Misaga Andrew
Pangolin ConservationBudongo–Mukihani Forest Corridor • 2022 - Present

Pangolin Rescue & Rehabilitation in the Budongo–Mukihani Corridor

Rescue, veterinary stabilisation and rehabilitation of white-bellied pangolins (Phataginus tricuspis) and giant pangolins (Smutsia gigantea) recovered from hunters and traders in the Budongo–Mukihani forest corridor, an unprotected wildlife linkage under pressure from agricultural clearing. As insectivores feeding mainly on ants and termites, pangolins help regulate insect populations and support healthy forest ecosystems through their foraging and digging.

Ongoing Field Research·Led by Dr. Kizza Ssemanobe Steven
Biodiversity MonitoringBudongo Forest Reserve • 2021 - 2022

Forest Biodiversity Monitoring at Budongo Conservation Field Station

Ecological monitoring across the Budongo forest landscape, combining tree phenology tracking, amphibian surveys, chimpanzee behavioural monitoring, mist-netting and point counts for bird surveys, and line-transect surveys, alongside community engagement in surrounding villages.

Published Study·Led by Dr. Kizza Ssemanobe Steven

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