Kihango, former alpha male of the isolated Kyambura Gorge chimpanzee community

Kihango is a former alpha male of the isolated Kyambura Gorge chimpanzee community. He led the group from 2017 to 2022, when the current alpha Mweya took over.  He fought to defend his role as alpha multiple times, losing a finger and a toe in the process. 

The alpha chimp is often not the largest chimp in the community, but the one that can use their social intelligence and ability to form alliances, and has the capacity to manage conflicts within the group. The alpha will manipulate social dynamics to keep their position secure.

In collaboration with Uganda Wildlife Authority, Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust partners with the Jane Goodall Institute to protect the threatened chimpanzee population at Kyambura Gorge.