Uganda’s Famous Chimpanzee Asega Dies at 28 After Freak Accident at Sanctuary

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is mourning the loss of one of its most recognizable residents after a 28-year-old male chimpanzee, Asega, died from a severe head injury sustained at the sanctuary.

In a statement released on Thursday, sanctuary management confirmed that Asega was found unconscious inside the chimpanzees’ sleeping facility on Wednesday. Despite efforts to assess the situation, the chimpanzee was pronounced dead.

A preliminary post-mortem examination found that Asega died from blunt force trauma to the head, resulting in sudden death.

According to the sanctuary, the incident is believed to have occurred during the chimpanzees’ normal morning routine. At around 6:30 a.m., a brief but heavy rainfall prompted the animals to engage in their usual energetic activity, swinging from hanging tyres and climbing platforms inside the enclosure.

Caretakers believe Asega may have accidentally missed his footing while performing one of his acrobatic movements, causing him to strike his head on the concrete floor.

Known affectionately as “the acrobat,” Asega was admired for his remarkable agility and athletic ability. He frequently amazed caregivers by swinging from tyres, performing flips, and effortlessly clearing obstacles that other chimpanzees could not.

Rescued from Arua in 1998 after being orphaned, Asega became one of the sanctuary’s dominant male chimpanzees. His exceptional ability to jump over fences led the sanctuary to construct a specially reinforced high-security enclosure in 2023 for him and his close companion, Mawa.

The Chimpanzee Trust described Asega’s life as a powerful reminder of the importance of wildlife conservation and the critical role sanctuaries play in protecting rescued animals from threats such as poaching and illegal wildlife trade.

Dorothy Basemera, the Communication and Marketing Officer at Chimpanzee Trust, said Asega’s death has deeply saddened staff at the sanctuary.

She noted that the loss is expected to have a significant emotional impact on Mawa, who shared a particularly close bond with Asega over the years.

“We are concerned about how Mawa will cope without his closest companion,” Basemera said. “Our team will work to help him adjust by encouraging him to build relationships with other chimpanzees in the group.”

She added that details regarding Asega’s burial arrangements will be announced at a later date.

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, located about 23 kilometers southwest of Entebbe on Lake Victoria, was established in 1998 to provide lifelong care for chimpanzees rescued from illegal wildlife trafficking, habitat destruction, and other human-related threats. Today, the sanctuary is home to 55 orphaned and rescued chimpanzees, offering them a safe environment where they can recover and live under professional care.