UNAA Times Online | September 2009, Karisoke Research Center Field News | Karisoke staff and researchers brought the body of silverback Titus down from the mountain on Sept. 16, many weeping at the loss of their old friend. Titus, who has been followed by Karisoke staff since his birth in 1974, died on Monday, Sept. 14. Read the full story

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Dear UNAA Times Readers, It gives me the greatest pleasure to welcome you to our limited edition of UNAA Times. We are a privately funded and operated news blog with a focus to reach our diaspora community with news and information that affects our communities. We are also available online at (www.unaatimes.com) and now enjoy membership in more than 72 countries across the globe according to our google analytics.

As a way to create more awareness about the work we do we produced this first limited edition of UNAA Times to highlight some of the stories we have covered over the year. We intend to make this a quaterly publication.

We are currently working on a special project “Galiwango” the first animated luganda movie that features the life of the mountain gorilla. We at UNAA Times are devoted to the conservation of this nearly extinct gorilla specie.

I therefore call upon all those organisations and institutions with a heart for Wildlife to support our cause as we work toward the completion of this movie. We have a trailer that has already been produced but we require funding and donations in order to complete the movie and the TV series.

Finally I wanted to thank you all for supporting UNAA Times and believing in our vision. We are growing and rapidly expanding. We have also joined the social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.

On behalf of my creative director Mr. Solomon Jagwe allow me to thank you for supporting Galiwango the Movie.

Kindly help us spread the word.

If you would like to receive a FREE hard copy, please send us an email and your mailing address and we will mail it to you.

Sincerely,
Ronnie Mayanja

Editor | UNAA Times | www.unaatimes.com

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June 2009, DFGFI Field News | Sandy Jones, an experienced caregiver for orphaned primate infants, became the new DFGFI Gorilla Rehabilitation Manager in March. She spent her first two months making the acquaintance of each of the 11 young gorillas that are cared for by the Fossey Fund and the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project in temporary facilities in Kinigi (Rwanda) and Goma (Democratic Republic of Congo). Most were confiscated from poachers while infants, although two were orphaned by armed conflict in the DRC.

“My challenge is to ensure that all the confiscated gorillas we now care for develop physically, emotionally and socially and display appropriate gorilla ‘etiquette,’ ” Jones explained. The social skills are critical because the youngsters are being prepared to eventually join wild gorilla families in the forest. They include six Grauer’s (eastern lowland) gorillas and five mountain gorillas, and range in age from 2 to 7 years.

Jones is well acquainted with the devastating effects primate infants, especially gorillas, suffer when they are separated from their families and familiar surroundings, but she is upbeat about the condition of the 11 currently in “foster care.” Although in the past fewer than 10 mountain gorillas have survived in captivity, and then only for short periods, Maisha, a female mountain gorilla who is the oldest of the group, is thriving after seven years in care at Kinigi. She dominates her gorilla companions and “acts like a princess,” Jones reports.

Ntabwoba, a 6 and ½-year-old Grauer’s gorilla male, enjoys playing with items he finds in the facility, especially during “enrichment activity” periods. He and Kaboko (5-year-old mountain gorilla male) and Itebero (6-year-old Grauer’s female) are close friends who often run, wrestle and laugh together. Kaboko is able to join in the fun despite loss of one hand that had to be amputated due to a snare wound. He is the only male mountain gorilla in captivity. Itebero has distinguished herself by learning to use rocks as tools to crack nuts.

Pinga, at almost 7 years old, is the oldest Grauer’s gorilla in the group. She loves food and likes to watch Maisha play with the enrichment toys. Serufuli, Dunia, and Tumaini, are all Grauer’s gorillas, ages 5 and ½, 4 and 3 respectively. Dunia is very fond of the enrichment toys also and plays with them long after they are much the worse for wear. Serufuli and Tumaini, the youngest, are quieter; Tumaini still needs a lot of comfort from her caregivers but is experimenting with nest building.

In Goma, two mountain gorilla infants — Ndeze and Ndakasi  –attracted international attention when they were rescued following massacres of their family members two years ago. They are now both healthy and lively, and have become close friends. At just over 2 years old, both are being weaned from milk. Mapendo, a 4-year-old Grauer’s gorilla female, arrived a year and a half ago and still spends her time with her caregivers.

We have just learned about the rescue of two more gorilla infants in the DRC and are expecting them to join the three already in care in Goma. Details will follow, so stay tuned.

The Fossey Fund is currently constructing a specially designed facility that will accommodate up to 30 gorilla orphans, on land in the DRC donated by the community-based Tayna Center for Conservation Biology and funded by a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s International Conservation Division. The Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education (GRACE) center will be operated through a public-private partnership between the Fossey Fund, the Congo’s wildlife authority (ICCN) and Pan African Sanctuary Alliance, with support from Disney’s Worldwide Conservation Fund. It is expected to help discourage the illegal traffic in infant gorillas and raise consciousness about this problem among the public.

Jones welcomes the new facility but hopes supporters of gorilla conservation will bear in mind that it too is only a stopgap solution to “the much bigger issues of deforestation due to population encroachment, logging, and bushmeat hunting and other illegal acts.” In the meantime, she will make sure that her young charges have the best possible chance to contribute to the survival of their species.

Link to Article Source: http://gorillafund.org/conservation_science/fieldnews_item.php?recordID=148

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Hi Guys,  a humble greeting  from the  Virtual production Set of Galiwango, Obulamu Bwe’Kisodde.  Here is  a  may sneak preview of what I am working on. It’s a DRAFT for a new trailer for Galiwango with a twist.  It’s going to be rendered both in Luganda and Kinyarwanda, I wanted to give you a glimpse of what the foundation of the story is and where the story is headed. Read the full story

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Earlier this year we (WildlifeDirect) were approached by someone commissioned by a rich citizen of a middle eastern country, who wanted to know how to go about purchasing a baby gorilla. We were very disturbed at the request, and explained as politely as possible, the legal and ethical implications and consequences. Well, it’s obvious that there is a market for baby gorillas as has just been reported by the ICCN.

On Sunday a suspected gorilla trafficker was caught and arrested at Goma International Airport. He arrived from Walikale with a baby eastern lowland gorilla hidden under clothes at the bottom of a bag. This baby came from Congo which is the only place where this species is found. The baby was stressed and was “suffering from over-heating and dehydration after spending over 6 hours in transit”.

This video shows how the operation was conducted by the Virunga National Park. WildlifeDirects former CEO Emmanuel de Merode led the 3 month opearation. Congratulations to everyone at the ICCN – lets hope that justice will be served and the baby gorilla returns to it’s natural habitat.

Resource Link: http://gorilla.cd/2009/04/28/baby-gorilla-seized-in-trafficking-ring-bust/

Article Source: http://gorilla.wildlifedirect.org/tag/congo/

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A baby gorilla stuffed into the bottom of a bag was rescued from smugglers after a three-month undercover investigation to bust a wildlife smuggling ring in the Democratic Republic of Congo, officials announced Tuesday. 

A veteranarian checks on the health of a baby gorilla rescued from smugglers in Goma, Congo. She was found inside the blue plastic bag at right.

The two-year-old female was suffering from overheating and dehydration after spending more than six hours inside the bag, the Congolese Wildlife Authority said in a statement.

Officials on Sunday arrested a suspected trafficker who was traveling with the eastern lowland gorilla via airplane from the interior of the country to the city of Goma.

The infant was found with a puncture wound on her right leg, and injuries on other parts of her body. “She remains weak, and is suffering from dehydration and malnutrition, but is responding to treatment” by staff at the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project, the Congolese Wildlife Authority stated.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has some 1,100 rangers at national parks that provide protection for mountain gorillas, lowland gorillas, chimps, elephants and rhinos. But officials warned that the discovery of the baby gorilla is likely just the tip of a bigger problem.

Virunga National Park

This baby gorilla was rescued from smugglers in Goma, Congo.

“Our work has revealed a significant upsurge in the trafficking of baby gorillas in recent months, possibly as a result of the war last year,” said Emmanuel de Merode, director of Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. “Investigations have yet to reveal where these animals are being sent and who is buying them, but on the ground sources tell us that a baby gorilla can fetch up to $20,000.”

“We must remember that for each trafficked baby gorilla, several gorillas have probably been killed in the wild,” he added. “If we want to preserve our gorillas — and other wildlife — significant resources must be invested to put a stop to these trafficking rings.”

The Democratic Republic of Congo recently saw a 12-year civil war and is still wracked by instability and fighting.

The DRC is home to two types of gorillas: mountain and lowland. The mountain gorilla is found in the Virunga volcanoes region. The lowland eastern gorilla is only found in the forests of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Link to Article Source:  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30455001/

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Hi Guys, here is an update as promised.  I am switching gears: I will be making the updates as video diary segments so you can get a better feel of what a day is like in the Production of Galiwango: Obulamu Bwe Kisodde.  In this Video Diary segment,  I introduce several team members: Omega Okello, Patrick Ssozi and Fyonna Nsubuga. Fiona has taken on the role of Voice Acting Galiwango’s mom. Fiona is a talented Musician who is based in the UK.  Read the full story

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Film: Galiwango Genre: Animated Art  Director/producer: Solomon W. Jagwe
Voice of: Solomon W. Jagwe  Preview by: Vision Reporter

THE first ever animated film about Uganda is set for release soon. Written in Luganda and titled Galiwango: Obulamu Bwe Kisodde, (The life of a Gorilla), the film aims to sensitise the public about the plight of mountain gorillas in Rwanda, the DRC and Uganda.

The film creater, US-based artiste Solomon Jagwe, relies on his skills and African roots to create a sombre but humour-filled animated film. His goal is to draw attention to the existence of this unique natural resource.

Galiwango is a tribute to Jagwe’s grandmother whom he says taught him how to tell stories as a young boy. “I remember sitting by her feet and listening intently as she recounted stories of Waguluddene, Wakayima and Wango.” he says.

Jagwe tells the story of the struggles and triumphs of the gorillas from a captured gorilla’s point of view. He weaves into the tale a human element of interaction with technology, war and humour.

Galiwango’s story begins in the thick tropical forests of the Virunga Mountains. Jagwe traces the gorilla’s journey after it is taken from Uganda and illegally sold to a research facility in an undisclosed Western country.
Years later, Galiwango’s journey comes full circle to Uganda.

A plane carrying equipment and a crate housing Galiwango, is shot down over the Virunga Mountains.

At the crash site Galiwango meets two other gorillas, Muwanguzi, an aging Silver Back and Lutalo, who carries a rifle. The rest of the story explores the dangers of living in a forest that is full of conflict and greed.

Close encounters with poachers and rebels drive the need by Galiwango and his friends to stay alert.

Jaggwe hopes that Ugandans can appreciate the rare gift they have in the mountain gorillas and fight against the possibility of their extinction.

Link to Article Source: http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/9/507/674424

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We spoke on the phone with Omega soon after her return from an exciting trip to Zanzibar and Uganda. Omega was able to kill 2 birds with one stone by performing live at the Sauti za Busara festival  and then traveling to Uganda to deliver the Surgical Beds that she purchased with the money that was raised when she performed live at the Mulago Benefit concert last year.  Here is the conversation from that phone call. Read the full story

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VIRUNGA NATIONAL PARK, Congo —  The first census of critically endangered mountain gorillas carried out by government authorities since rebels seized the area shows that 10 babies have been born in the last 16 months, wildlife officials said Monday. Read the full story

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UNAA Times: We have been  following closely the production of Galiwango. We couldn’t help but wonder what technology is driving the creation of the Characters in the upcoming film. Can you give us an inside look into what kind of computer software you are using? Read the full story

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Hi Guys, here is another quick update of the crash site where Galiwango encounters Muwanguzi and Lutalo. The animation is going well. Somethings to point out, rendering in High Definition takes a loooong time. I am rendering at 720P. Some new software updates have made the rendering alot faster and more stable. I am excited about the upcoming trailer. I think you guys will love it.

This is a wireframe screen grab of the crash site scene and following below that is the 3D render – the setting is early morning – I have always loved beautiful landscapes with the sun rising above the jungle – Uganda offers alot of apportunities to see jaw dropping shots like that.

3D Render

Feel free to post any comments or questions.
Until next time, stay blessed
Sincerely
Solomon W. Jagwe
Producer | Director | Obulamu bwe Kisodde

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The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International is a not-for-profit organization founded by Dr. Dian Fossey in 1978 to preserve and protect the world’s last mountain gorillas. Originally named “Digit Fund” in memory of Dr. Fossey’s favorite gorilla, the Fund was renamed in 1992 to underscore its commitment to carry on the gorilla protection and research programs established by Dr. Fossey.

Story of a Mountain Gorilla Advocate,  by Eric W. Codak

Dian Fossey was murdered by an unknown attacker in her cabin at the Karisoke Research Center in the Virunga Mountains in 1985. The attacker hacked her to death by what investigators believe to be a machete. They entered through a hole in the wall prior to the attack.

No arrests have ever been made, but local authorities believe it to be poachers who were at odds with Dian and her anti-poaching brigade of but a few soldiers.

To read the rest of this article go to http://www.webster.edu/~woolflm/dianfossey.html

Visit Dr. Dian’s Gorilla Fund Website
http://www.gorillafund.org/about/index.php

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