Interview with Nicholus

From Law Enforcement to Habituation

In the heart of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the line between the wild and the human world is bridged by dedicated individuals like Nicholus Mubangizi. A Ranger with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Nicholus has spent the last eight years on the frontlines of conservation. I recently caught up with him to discuss his incredible journey from law enforcement to earning the trust of wild gorilla families.

When did you start working for UWA?

I joined the Uganda Wildlife Authority on May 12, 2018. I spent my first three years in law enforcement, protecting natural resources and ensuring visitor security in this World Heritage site. For the last five years, I have focused on tracking and habituation, the patient process of changing animal behavior so they become used to humans.

Which families have you habituated?

I habituated the Happy group (Ruhija sector) and the Nshanjare group (Rushaga sector). The memories are unforgettable. The first time a wild gorilla charges you, it is incredibly challenging. But when the Silverback charges, and you stand your ground, and he just stops and looks at you. It is amazing.

What about the Nshanjare group specifically?

That was my first time habituating a family with two silverbacks. They would both charge from different directions at once! But because of my love for conservation, I didn’t give up until they slowly became used to us.

Secrets of the Forest

Nicholus sees things in the forest that most visitors never will:

Natural Healing: Most plants gorillas feed on are actually medicine.
Surprising Bonds: Silverbacks will step in to care for a baby if the mother dies.
Peaceful Coexistence: Chimpanzees and gorillas share the same home range without interference.
Recruitment: Once, after hearing a fight, we found the Silverback ‘Happy’ had successfully ‘grabbed’ a wild adult female and added her to his family.

The Reality of a Ranger’s Life

A typical day involves hiking through rain or shine for 4 to 5 hours just to reach the gorillas. While the work is physically demanding and the pay is low compared to the cost of living, Nicholus remains hopeful.

A Growing Legacy

The numbers tell a story of success:

In 2011, Bwindi had 400 mountain gorillas.
By 2018, that number rose to 459.
Globally, the population stands at 1,063 and is expected to continue increasing based on recent census data.

Nicholus attributes this to high birth rates, a well-protected ecosystem, and the support of stakeholders and neighboring communities.

A Day Job Like No Other

"I came to this forest every single day," Nicholas told me, his voice filled with quiet pride. "8 AM to 5 PM, like a normal job. Except my office was the forest, and my colleagues were gorillas."

For four years, Nicholas followed the Shajare family through Bwindi’s impenetrable undergrowth. He observed them, cared for them, and gradually taught them that humans weren’t a threat. He learned their personalities, documented their behaviors, and watched them grow from a wary wild family into gorillas comfortable enough to allow visitors into their world.

At the time of habituation, there were eleven members in the Shajare family. Nicholas knew each one by name, by temperament, by the role they played in the group. He explained that gorilla families often split into smaller groups since each typically has just one silverback—the dominant male who leads and protects them.

The Work Behind the Magic

Habituation isn't quick or easy. It takes between 2 and 5 years of daily commitment, and Nicholas was there for every step of the Shajare family's journey. Every morning, he would follow the family to their nesting spot from the night before. He began by observing from 15-20 meters away, watching how they fed, played, groomed, and interacted. Gradually, over months, he moved closer—but only when the gorillas showed no signs of stress or fear. He made soft sounds so they learned to recognize his voice. He moved predictably so they understood his intentions. He showed calm, non-threatening body language. Essentially, he taught the gorillas a simple lesson: "We're not a threat." Over time, the gorillas ceased running when he approached. They stopped watching him nervously. They went about their daily routines—eating, playing, resting—as if he were just another part of the forest. And that's when a family is considered habituated

The Bashate Family: Years of Dedication

Nicholas didn't just habituate the Shajare family. Years earlier, he had done the same work with the Bashasha family, another gorilla group in Bwindi. As we talked, his eyes lit up. He pulled out his phone and began scrolling through photos—images of gorillas he'd spent years getting to know. Each photo came with a story. This one is the playful youngster who always got into trouble. That one is the gentle mother who fiercely protected her baby. This silverback had the calmest temperament Nicholas had ever seen. You could see the pride in his face. These weren't just animals he'd observed for work. These were individuals he knew intimately, gorillas whose trust he'd earned through patience and respect.

"It's Like Watching Your Children Graduate"

“When a family is finally habituated,” Nicholas said, “it’s like watching your children graduate. You’ve been with them through everything—births, deaths, fights, and peaceful moments. You know each one by name, by personality. And now, they trust humans enough to share their world with visitors like you.”

He paused, looking back toward the forest where the Shajare family was somewhere deep in the trees.

“The Shajare family took four years. Every day, rain or shine, I was here. And now, you’ve got to meet them. That’s why I do this work.”

Why Habituation Matters

Habituated gorilla families are the backbone of gorilla tourism, and tourism is what funds conservation. Without habituation, there would be no permits, no tourism revenue, and far less protection for these endangered animals.

But Nicholas’s work goes beyond tourism. Habituation also allows researchers and veterinarians to monitor gorilla health more closely, respond quickly to injuries or illnesses, study behavior and social dynamics, and track population changes. It’s essential for the survival of the species.

The Rangers Behind Every Encounter

When you trek to see mountain gorillas, you see the trackers who find them, the guides who lead you, and the porters who carry your bags. But you might not see the rangers like Nicholas, who spent years in the forest before you ever arrived, building the trust that makes your encounter possible.

Every calm moment with a gorilla family. Every curious glance from a silverback. Every playful youngster tromps through the undergrowth. It’s all built on years of daily dedication by people like Nicholas, who chose to spend their lives in the forest, teaching gorillas to trust.

The hour you spend with the gorillas? It’s the result of thousands of hours that came before it.

And that’s something worth remembering.

Photo Credit: Nicholas, UWA Ranger

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